Signs of vitamin C deficiency include dry hair and skin, flu-like symptoms and a tendency to bruise or bleed easily. If you meet your recommended daily intake (RDI) for vitamin C you are unlikely to need a vitamin C supplement.
Severe vitamin C deficiency can lead to a disease called scurvy, which causes anemia, bleeding gums, bruising and poor wound healing. If you take vitamin C for its antioxidant properties, keep in mind that the supplement might not offer the same benefits as naturally occurring antioxidants in food.
Scurvy is easily treated by adding some vitamin C to your diet such as fresh fruit and vegetables. A GP may also recommend taking vitamin C supplements (also called ascorbic acid) until you feel better. Most people treated for scurvy feel better within 48 hours and make a full recovery within 2 weeks.
Who is most at risk for vitamin C deficiency? Anyone can develop a vitamin C deficiency, but certain populations are at higher risk, including older adults, smokers, those with malabsorption syndromes, anyone with a limited diet, and individuals taking certain medications (such as corticosteroids).
Scurvy is a sign of severe malnutrition, specifically a lack of vitamin C. Hair follicles can become clogged with keratin, old wounds may reopen and new sores begin to form. Parts of your body may swell, particularly your arms and legs. If left untreated, scurvy can lead to death from bleeding or infection.
It means that vitamin C is an essential factor for the maintenance of intracellular anti-oxidant network. Based on its anti-oxidant activity, we can suppose that vitamin C is preferentially accumulated in metabolically active organs, such as brain, lung and heart.
Do you know that one of the most vital nutrients that promote bone health is Vitamin D? Yes, multiple studies show that a deficiency of this vitamin can lead to joint pain and swelling. As Vitamin D is required for bone building and bone health, therefore a deficiency of it will negatively affect the bones.
Musculoskeletal symptoms, such as knee and ankle pain, resulting in antalgic gait and decreased weight-bearing, are a common feature of vitamin C deficiency. Symptoms can mimic inflammatory arthropathy, including elevated inflammatory markers.
Vitamin C deficiency can cause dry, brittle hair. It can also lead to iron deficiency anaemia (because iron can only be absorbed in the presence of Vitamin C), and this often results in hair shedding.
Diagnosis of Vitamin C Deficiency
Complete blood count is done, often detecting anemia. Bleeding, coagulation, and prothrombin times are normal. Skeletal x-rays can help diagnose childhood (but not adult) scurvy. Changes are most evident at the ends of long bones, particularly at the knee.
More recently, increased attention has been devoted the potential chronic effects of a suboptimal VitC status such as hypovitaminosis C—in humans defined as a plasma concentration below 23 µmol/L [12]—in disease development, e.g., impaired brain development [1,9], in multifactorial complexes of life-style associated ...
Form: Liposomal Vitamin C
This form is the best absorbed and is great for those with digestive problems because it can be absorbed without fully going through the digestive system.
Liposomal vitamin C is a formulation that appears to have improved bioavailability or absorption properties. To help increase absorption, scientists have developed liposomal vitamin C, a fat-soluble covering that helps the ascorbic acid molecule pass through the digestive tract more easily.
Do not add too much vitamin C at the same time but should be divided into 3-4 times Drink/day at different times Avoid taking vitamin C at night before going to bed, because it can cause stimulation, excitement leading to insomnia.
To your mixture of vitamin C and starch indicator, add drops of iodine, carefully counting the drops, until the solution develops a blue-black colour that does not disappear on stirring. To get a more accurate number you might repeat the experiment and take the average of a number of readings.
Symptoms should start to improve within 24 to 48 hours. You should be fully better within 7 days. Lower doses may be enough for vitamin C deficiency with no symptoms. Vitamin C is sensitive to light and oxygen.
Low vitamin D and weight gain are related in other ways too – Studies have suggested that vitamin D plays a major role in releasing leptin, the hormone controlling the hunger senses and fat storage in the body. Vitamin D deficiency affects both senses, leading to weight gain.
Research suggests that vitamin C may help protect the skin from many issues, including sunburn, photoaging, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, sagging, dryness, and an uneven skin tone. Anyone dealing with these skin issues may want to consider adding a vitamin C serum to their skin-care regimen.
Vitamin C is one of the most effective nutrients to help grow and strengthen hair, says Guy Parsons. “Vitamin C helps build collagen, which is highly important for hair growth, but maintaining the strength of hair is just as crucial,” Guy says.
Biotin is often referred to as the "hair vitamin" because of its role in maintaining healthy hair, skin, and nails. Deficiency in biotin can lead to hair loss, brittle hair, and a dry and itchy scalp. Biotin supplements are often recommended for people experiencing hair loss due to biotin deficiency.
A potential cause of leg cramps is a vitamin deficiency, though research into this is ongoing. Vitamins B1, B12, and D may help relieve them, along with potassium and magnesium. This article discusses whether vitamin deficiencies can cause leg cramps, home and medical treatment, and when a person should see a doctor.
Vitamin C does not directly lead to fat oxidation or loss of body fat. However, it is related to body weight and waist circumference. One study found that vitamin C and body mass are inversely related, meaning low plasma ascorbic acid concentrations are linked to high body mass index (BMI).