Health benefits of Vitamin C: Why this water-soluble vitamin is critical for your skin, bones, gums, more
Vitamin C is essential for collagen formation, immunity, iron absorption, and antioxidant protection. Deficiency causes scurvy with fatigue, gum bleeding, bone pain, and poor wound healing. Poor diet, alcoholism, smoking, and malabsorption increase risk.
Health benefits of Vitamin C: Boosts collagen formation Vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin, is necessary for a number of functions in the body. It aids in the formation of collagen, which helps in maintaining healthy skin, gums, and bones, and even promotes wound healing. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant, and regenerates vitamin E (Images: Canva)
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Health benefits of Vitamin C: Makes immune system strong Vitamin C also plays a role in enhancing the leukocyte function, and supporting the epithelial barriers. It also reduces the duration of common infections, along with preventing iron deficiency anemia. This vitamin converts iron into an easily absorbable form, which promotes the formation of haemoglobin.
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Health risks of Vitamin C deficiency: Can cause scurvy A deficiency of this crucial vitamin leads to scurvy, which is a result of reduced intake of ascorbic acid. As the body cannot synthesise vitamin C, it is necessary to consume foods rich in this vitamin to prevent deficiency. Reduced levels can lead to weakness in the connective tissue.
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Causes of Vitamin C deficiency: Nutrient-deficient diet This deficiency is more commonly seen in people who do not have a healthy diet, and those who have alcohol dependence. Consuming less amounts of fruits and vegetables can lead to deficiency as well. Other co-morbidities must be evaluated to find the cause.
Causes of Vitamin C deficiency: Malabsorption and lifestyle factors Malabsorption disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and long term smoking can also lead to vitamin C deficiency, which may cause scurvy. It has also been found that prolonged cooking of food may destroy the ascorbic acid, which further contributes to ineffective intake.
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Vitamin C deficiency: Adult clinical manifestations The affected individual may experience fatigue, malaise, gum bleeding, and haemorrhages. Other clinical features include easy bruising and petechiae (tiny red spots on the skin). Some may even complain of swollen and painful joints, along with poor wound healing.
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Vitamin C deficiency: Pediatric clinical features Children with vitamin C deficiency present with irritability and limb pain. Gum hypertrophy is also a common feature of scurvy. Impaired collagen causes weakness in the bones, and if haemorrhages develop, severe bone pain can be experienced. The risk of fractures increases as well.
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Vitamin C deficiency: Systemic impacts of deficiency As the immunity reduces in vitamin C deficiency, the person becomes more susceptible to infections. Psychological changes like depression and irritability may be seen in some people who have this deficiency. In severe cases, oedema may occur.
Dietary sources of vitamin C Routine consumption of foods rich in vitamin C, like citrus fruits, guava and amla, along with bell peppers and tomatoes can aid in preventing a deficiency of vitamin C. Other food items rich in this vitamin include green leafy vegetables, broccoli and berries.
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Vitamin C deficiency: High-risk groups needing more Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and the elderly, must make certain they consume enough amounts of vitamin C from fruits and vegetables. Periodic nutritional assessment may be required in children to diagnose this deficiency at an early stage. (Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis)
Rajeshwaari Kalla is a freelance health and wellness writer
