What is vitamin c deficiency?

What is vitamin c deficiency?

Vitamin C deficiency is defined as a serum concentration of less than 11.4 umol/L, and prevalence varies across the world, with rates as low as 7.1% in the United States and as high as 73.9% in north India. Risk factors for deficiency include alcohol intake, tobacco use, low-income, male gender, patients on hemodialysis, and those with overall poor nutritional status. Although vitamin C deficiency is common, even in industrialized countries, overt scurvy is rare. Infantile incidence is also uncommon as both breast milk and fortified formula are adequate sources.

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, and if you don’t regularly have food that contains vitamin C as part of a healthy diet, you might become deficient in it.

If you are concerned about vitamin C deficiency, adding a fruit or vegetable that’s high in vitamin c to one meal every day might be a good idea. You could also try having an orange or mandarin as a snack.

For more information, read the health direct page on Vitamin c and your health  

Causes of vitamin c deficiency

In adults, vitamin C deficiency usually results from

·         A diet low in vitamin C

For example, vitamin C deficiency may result from a diet deficient in fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, cooking can destroy some of the vitamin C in food.

The following conditions can significantly increase the body’s requirements for vitamin C and the risk of vitamin C deficiency:

·         Pregnancy

·         Breastfeeding

·         Disorders that cause a high fever or inflammation

·         An overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)

·         Diarrhea  that lasts a long time

·         Surgery

·         Burns

·         Smoking, which increases the vitamin C requirement by 30%

Disease are caused by vitamin c deficiency  

•           Dry and damaged skin

The epidermis of healthy skin needs massive amounts of vitamin C, so if the skin starts to appear dull and lifeless, this may mean that the body is yearning for some vitamin C. Vitamin C also helps in the production of collagen which keep the skin youthful and full of life.

•         Slow healing process

Since healthy levels of vitamin C have a direct impact on collagen production, it tends to slow down the body’s healing process when faced with a deficiency. This is, however, an advanced stage of the deficiency and the body primarily shows the other symptoms first.

•          Bleeding Teeth and Gums

Swelling in the gum tissues or bleeding is a common sign of a vitamin C deficiency. In advanced stages of a deficiency, the gums may appear slightly purple and as the deficiency keeps increasing the teeth start to fall off.

•          Painful joints

The cartilage of the joints is primarily made of collagen and therefore low levels of vitamin C results in less padding around the bone areas which ultimately leads to painful joints. This also results in inflammation and swelling around the joints and bones.

•          Unusual looking fingernails  

Spoon-shaped nails are often thin and brittle. They are more commonly associated with iron deficiency anemia but also have been linked to vitamin C deficiency. Red spots or vertical lines in the nail bed may also appear due to vitamin C deficiency as a result of weakened blood vessels that rupture easily.

 

•         Poor Immunity

Vitamin C accumulates inside various types of immune cells and helps them combat infection and destroy disease-causing pathogens. A vitamin C deficiency means poor immunity and a higher risk of infection, including serious illnesses like pneumonia.

•          Fatigue and Poor Mood

A vitamin C deficiency leads to fatigue and poor mood. These may be the first symptoms to appear and get better in a few days after adequate intake of vitamin C supplementation. 

Symptoms of vitamin c deficiency

Some of the earliest vitamin C deficiency symptoms include the following:

·         Pain in joints and muscle

·         Small red-blue bruise-like spots on your skin

·         Fatigue and weakness

·         Easy formation of bruises

While these might not be tell-tale low vitamin C symptoms, there are some prominent and advanced ones.

·         Weight loss

·         Dry and damaged skin

·         Split ends of hair

·         Discoloration and swelling in gums

·         Inefficient prevention of infections

If left untreated, these symptoms can lead to fatal conditions of bleeding around the heart and brain haemorrhage.

You can always prevent such eventualities with a detailed knowledge of what causes vitamin C deficiency and address them beforehand.

 

Adults feel tired, weak, and irritable if their diet is low in vitamin C. They may lose weight and have vague muscle and joint aches.

The symptoms of scurvy develop after a few months of deficiency. Bleeding may occur under the skin (particularly around hair follicles or as bruises), around the gums, and into the joints. The gums become swollen, purple, and spongy. The teeth eventually loosen. The hair becomes dry, brittle, and coiled (like a corkscrew), and the skin becomes dry, rough, and scaly. Fluid may accumulate in the legs. Anemia may develop. Infections may develop, and wounds do not heal.

Infants may be irritable, have pain when they move, and lose their appetite. Infants do not gain weight as they normally do. In infants and children, bone growth is impaired, and bleeding and anemia may occur.

 

Side Effects of Vitamin C Deficiency

Unchecked early symptoms of lack of vitamin C can include some of the following persistent health issues: 

·         Bleeding from nose and gums

·         Subperiosteal haemorrhage or bleeding between joints

·         Loose teeth

·         Improper and delayed wound healing

·         Weak bones

Other severe persistent symptoms due to lack of vitamin C include fever, nerve problems, shortness of breath, and convulsions.

Individuals suffering from the same might not be able to identify these as a result of a specific nutrient deficiency. However, a lack of vitamin C can lead to severe diseases.

 

What is the treatment for vitamin C deficiency?

The treatment for vitamin C deficiency is to replace the vitamin C that is lacking in the diet. This can be achieved by taking vitamin c supplements and by eating a diet rich in vitamin C.

After a period of time, vitamin C supplements can usually be stopped. However, it is important to continue to eat a diet rich in vitamin C after the supplements are stopped. This will help to avoid becoming deficient in vitamin C again.

 

How to Prevent & Overcome Vitamin C Deficiency?

The best way to prevent vitamin C deficiency is to ensure a diet rich in vitamin C. Some of the most prominent food sources of this nutrient are as follows:

Fruits

·         Kiwi fruit

·         Lemons

·         Strawberries

·         Papaya

·         Blackberries

·         Guava

·         Oranges

Vegetables

·         Carrots

·         Spinach

·         Bell Peppers

·         Tomatoes

·         Broccoli

·         Cabbage

·         Potatoes

Other eatables

·         Oysters

·         Paprika

Now that we know about the harmful conditions that the deficiency of this vitamin causes, here are some best food sources of this vital vitamin that we should definitely incorporate into our diet:

While it is important to include these essential food items in the everyday diet, it is also important to keep in mind that these fruits and veggies are to be consumed raw rather than having them in the cooked format. Also, the body throws out excessive quantities of vitamin C thus it is imperative that vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies are consumed on a daily basis. However, do not self-diagnose or take medications without proper consultation.

Note that vitamin C can disintegrate under the effect of heat during storage. This is why it is advisable to consume raw and fresh fruits and vegetables as much as possible.

On the other hand, if you have already been diagnosed with a vitamin C deficiency, you will need to consult a dietician who might suggest the following treatment methods:

·         Oral vitamin C supplements

·         Vitamin C injections

The healthcare professional will recommend the ideal dosage, depending on your deficiency level. He/she will also prescribe a diet chart to speed up the recovery process.