Vitamin C: Deficiency, Causes and Symptoms

Did you know you could be deficient in Vitamin C? This is possible because vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and therefore your body needs it on a daily basis. If you are not aware of this, then you need to read the causes and symptoms of vitamin C deficiency carefully, because its deficiency can cause many serious diseases.

What Causes Vitamin C Deficiency

Vitamin C deficiency can be caused by a number of factors, including a low intake of a healthy diet, genetic disorders, excessive exercise, and metabolic syndrome. Along with this, vitamin C deficiency can also occur due to high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

Infants and old people may be deficient in Vitamin C.

Vitamin C deficiency is also found in infancy and old age. Economically weak families are not able to consume Vitamin C in sufficient quantity. Because of this, they are prone to vitamin C deficiency.

Vitamin C deficiency can happen to the baby from market milk

It has also been revealed in the research that mother's milk contains sufficient amount of vitamin C, while the amount of vitamin C decreases due to heating the milk available in the market. That's why babies who are fed mother's milk get more vitamin C than other babies, which makes them more healthy.

Vitamin C can be reduced due to lack of nutritious diet

There are thousands of people in India who live their lives away from their families. Due to loneliness and run-of-the-mill life, they are not able to pay much attention to their food and drink. Due to not eating nutritious food, they may have vitamin C deficiency. Such people often cook food which is prepared quickly in less time. There may be a deficiency of Vitamin C in this food.

Smokers may be deficient in Vitamin C.

According to the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), people who smoke are more deficient in vitamin C than people who do not smoke. The main reason for this is the unbalanced diet taken by the people who smoke. Similarly, people who eat canned or processed food are also prone to vitamin C deficiency.

People who smoke should consume 35 mg more vitamin C than normal people to maintain adequate amount of vitamin C in their body. With this additional dose, the prescribed amount of vitamin C can be supplied in the body of smokers.

Vitamin C can be reduced in case of serious illness

Due to some serious illness, there can be deficiency of Vitamin C in the body. Vitamin C deficiency can also occur in the body due to serious intestinal diseases or cancer. Similarly, severe kidney disease can also cause vitamin C deficiency.

Symptoms of Vitamin C Deficiency

Following are the symptoms of Vitamin C deficiency:-

Halitosis and tooth decay

When there is a deficiency of Vitamin C in the body, it results in bad breath. Teeth start getting weak. You should contact a doctor if these symptoms appear.

Dryness of the skin and wrinkles on the face

Deficiency of Vitamin C causes dryness in the body parts. The skin becomes dry, and wrinkles appear on the face and around the eyes. If you have a wound or injury somewhere in your body, then due to vitamin C deficiency, there is a delay in healing the disease [1].

Viral infection, nausea and fever

Deficiency of Vitamin C can cause problems like cold, viral infection, loss of taste of food, nausea. Along with this, fever can also come.

Poor eyesight

The main function of vitamin C is to keep the cells of the eyes healthy. In a research, it has been found that problems related to eyes such as low vision or symptoms of cataract can be caused due to vitamin C deficiency. However, there is no information about any authentic facts related to this. Therefore, whenever these problems occur, vitamin C should be consumed only after consulting a doctor.

Vitamin C deficiency diseases

Due to excessive deficiency of Vitamin C in the body, symptoms related to it start appearing within a month, which can be as follows:-

Swollen and bleeding gums

Swelling and bleeding gums can be symptoms of vitamin C deficiency.

Skin rash

This is one of the major symptoms of Vitamin C deficiency. If there is a red rash on the body, then it should be understood that there is a deficiency of Vitamin C.

Tooth decay

If your teeth start getting weak without any reason, then understand that this can also happen due to lack of Vitamin C.

Impaired collagen synthesis

When the body's collagen synthesis process goes awry, it can be a symptom of vitamin C deficiency.

Loss of physical strength

Due to the deficiency of Vitamin C, there may be a decrease in physical strength. If this happens you should contact a doctor. Similarly, perifollicular hemorrhage and weakening of body tissue are also symptoms of vitamin C deficiency. If the symptoms of Vitamin C deficiency are recognized at an early stage, then the body can be made healthy by preventing it.

Now you have got complete information about Vitamin C deficiency, its symptoms and diseases. Therefore, consume fruits regularly so that Vitamin C is present in sufficient quantity in your body. Keep in mind that if you want to consume vitamin C supplements, then consult a doctor before consumption.