vitamin c deficiency

· Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin important for immune support, heart health, iron absorption, and many bodily functions. A vitamin C deficiency can cause symptoms including fatigue, weakened immunity, skin issues, and, in severe cases, scurvy. Indicators of a vitamin C deficiency may include fatigue, easy bruising, and bumpy skin. You may be more likely to have this deficiency if you have certain medical conditions, including anorexia.Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that must be consumed regularly to prevent deficiency.While deficiency is relatively rare in developed countries due to the availability of fresh produce and the addition of vitamin C to certain foods and supplements, it still affects roughly 7% of adults in the US (1).The most common risk factors for vitamin C deficiency are poor diet, alcoholism, anorexia, severe mental illness, smoking and dialysis (2, 3).While symptoms of severe vitamin C deficiency can take months to develop, there are some subtle signs to watch out for.Here are the 15 most common signs and symptoms of vitamin C deficiency.See full list on healthline.comVitamin C plays a key role in collagen production, a protein that is abundant in connective tissues like skin, hair, joints, bones and blood vessels (4).When vitamin C levels are low, a skin condition known as keratosis pilaris can develop.In this condition, bumpy “chicken skin” forms on the back of the upper arms, thighs or buttocks due to a buildup of keratin protein inside the pores (5).Keratosis pilaris caused by vitamin C deficiency typically appears after three to five months of inadequate intake and resolves with supplementation (6).However, there are many other potential causes of keratosis pilaris, so its presence alone is not enough to diagnose a deficiency.Summary Vitamin C deficiency can cause the formation of small acne-like bumps on the arms, thighs or buttocks. However, these bumps alone are not enough to diagnose a deficiency.See full list on healthline.comVitamin C deficiency can also cause hair to grow in bent or coiled shapes due to defects that develop in the protein structure of hair as it grows (7).Corkscrew-shaped hair is one of the hallmark signs of vitamin C deficiency but may not be obvious, as these damaged hairs are more likely to break off or fall out (8).Hair abnormalities often resolve within one month of treatment with adequate amounts of vitamin C (9).Summary Abnormally bent, coiled or corkscrew-shaped body hairs are a hallmark sign of vitamin C deficiency, but they may be difficult to detect, as these hairs are more likely to fall out.See full list on healthline.comHair follicles on the surface of the skin contain many tiny blood vessels that supply blood and nutrients to the area.When the body is deficient in vitamin C, these small blood vessels become fragile and break easily, causing small, bright red spots to appear around the hair follicles.This is known as perifollicular hemorrhage and a well-documented sign of severe vitamin C deficiency (7, 8).Taking vitamin C supplements typically resolves this symptom within two weeks (9).See full list on healthline.comSpoon-shaped nails are characterized by their concave shape and often thin and brittle.They are more commonly associated with iron deficiency anemia but have also been linked to vitamin C deficiency (7, 10).Red spots or vertical lines in the nail bed, known as splinter hemorrhage, may also appear during vitamin C deficiency due to weakened blood vessels that rupture easily.While the visual appearance of fingernails and toenails may help determine the likelihood of vitamin C deficiency, note that it’s not considered diagnostic.See full list on healthline.comHealthy skin contains large amounts of vitamin C, especially in the epidermis, or outer layer of skin (11).Vitamin C keeps skin healthy by protecting it from oxidative damage caused by the sun and exposure to pollutants like cigarette smoke or the ozone (12, 13).It also promotes collagen production, which keeps skin looking plump and youthful (14).High intakes of vitamin C are associated with better skin quality, while lower intakes are associated with a 10% increased risk of developing dry, wrinkled skin (15, 16, 17).While dry, damaged skin can be linked to vitamin C deficiency, it can also be caused by many other factors, so this symptom alone is not enough to diagnose a deficiency.Summary Low intakes of vitamin C are associated with dry, sun-damaged skin, but these symptoms can also be caused by other factors.See full list on healthline.comBruising occurs when blood vessels under the skin rupture, causing blood to leak into the surrounding areas.Easy bruising is a common sign of vitamin C deficiency since poor collagen production causes weak blood vessels (18).Deficiency-related bruises may cover large areas of the body or appear as small, purple dots under the skin (7, 19, 20).Easy bruising is often one of the first obvious symptoms of a deficiency and should warrant further investigation into vitamin C levels (21, 22, 23).See full list on healthline.comSince vitamin C deficiency slows the rate of collagen formation, it causes wounds to heal more slowly (2).Research has shown that people with chronic, non-healing leg ulcers are significantly more likely to be deficient in vitamin C than those without chronic leg ulcers (24).In severe cases of vitamin C deficiency, old wounds may even reopen, increasing the risk of infection (7, 25).Slow wound healing is one of the more advanced signs of deficiency and typically not seen until someone has been deficient for many months (26, 27).See full list on healthline.comSince joints contain a lot of collagen-rich connective tissue, they can also be affected by vitamin C deficiency.There have been many reported cases of joint pain associated with vitamin C deficiency, often severe enough to cause limping or difficulty walking (20, 21, 23, 28).Bleeding within the joints can also occur in people who are deficient in vitamin C, causing swelling and additional pain (2).Yet, both of these symptoms can be treated with vitamin C supplements and commonly resolve within one week (21).See full list on healthline.comVitamin C deficiency can also affect bone health. In fact, low intake has been linked to increased risk of fracture and osteoporosis (29, 30, 31).Research has found that vitamin C plays a critical role in bone formation, so a deficiency can increase the rate of bone loss (26).Children’s skeletons may be especially affected by vitamin C deficiency, as they are still growing and developing (26, 32, 33).Summary Vitamin C is important for bone formation, and deficiency can increase the risk of developing weak and brittle bones.See full list on healthline.com Vitamin Cdeficiency can be prevented by consuming the recommended amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables or by taking the recommended amount of vitamin C in daily supplements. · Vitamin C is an essential nutrient found in foods and available as a supplement you take by mouth. Learn about its potential benefits and the causes of vitamin Cdeficiency. · People who are deficient in vitamin C require urgent treatment to prevent serious complications. This article outlines the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of vitamin C... · Vitamin Cdeficiency can cause skin symptoms like purple patches, dry skin, and slow wound healing. Not getting enough vitamin C may result in weakened bones and joint pain. Vitamin C... Symptoms include fatigue, depression, and connective tissue defects (eg, gingivitis, petechiae, rash, internal bleeding, impaired wound healing). In infants and children, bone growth may be impaired. Diagnosis is usually clinical. Treatment consists of oral vitamin C. Vitamin Cdeficiency can be prevented by consuming the recommended amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables or by taking the recommended amount of vitamin C in daily supplements. · Vitamin C is an essential nutrient found in foods and available as a supplement you take by mouth. Learn about its potential benefits and the causes of vitamin Cdeficiency. · People who are deficient in vitamin C require urgent treatment to prevent serious complications. This article outlines the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of vitamin C... · Vitamin Cdeficiency can cause skin symptoms like purple patches, dry skin, and slow wound healing. Not getting enough vitamin C may result in weakened bones and joint pain. Vitamin C... Symptoms include fatigue, depression, and connective tissue defects (eg, gingivitis, petechiae, rash, internal bleeding, impaired wound healing). In infants and children, bone growth may be impaired. Diagnosis is usually clinical. Treatment consists of oral vitamin C. · Vitamin C is an essential nutrient found in foods and available as a supplement you take by mouth. Learn about its potential benefits and the causes of vitamin Cdeficiency. · People who are deficient in vitamin C require urgent treatment to prevent serious complications. This article outlines the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of vitamin C... · Vitamin Cdeficiency can cause skin symptoms like purple patches, dry skin, and slow wound healing. Not getting enough vitamin C may result in weakened bones and joint pain. Vitamin C... Symptoms include fatigue, depression, and connective tissue defects (eg, gingivitis, petechiae, rash, internal bleeding, impaired wound healing). In infants and children, bone growth may be impaired. Diagnosis is usually clinical. Treatment consists of oral vitamin C.

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