Because of research and education, Vitamin C deficiency is no longer common. Luckily in areas of the world where nutritional education is lacking, staple diets consists mainly of foods which provide adequate amounts of Vitamin C. In past times, especially in sailors, the effects of Vitamin C deficiency were often fatal without the cause ever being understood. As most people know, Vitamin C comes in the largest amounts in citrus fruits, but all fruits and most vegetables contain high amounts which will easily allow individuals to obtain the recommended 90mg/day. It takes a prolonged period of time, up to a month of obtaining no Vitamin C until serious symptoms will develop. A moderate deficiency for short periods of time usually results in very mild symptoms that are often overlooked.
The symptoms of a Vitamin C deficiency are, for obvious reasons, closely associated with the major functions of the nutrient in the body. These functions include important things like energy productions, wound healing, maintenance of mucous membranes and neurotransmitter production. Each of these functions is diminished when there is a Vitamin C deficiency, although the symptoms are often not attributed to a nutrition problem.
Probably the most remarkable symptom of Vitamin C deficiency lies with it’s role in the production of collagen and the maintenance of mucous membranes. This is the tissue that lines the mouth and nose among other areas. When a deficiency of Vitamin C occurs, the strength of this lining is severely diminished, which results in frequent nose bleeds as well as swollen and bleeding gums. In extreme cases of Vitamin C deficiency, the gums become so bad that teeth are lost.
Collagen is also used as a building material of arteries, and furthermore, is used by the body during wound repair. These two things act together to form another major symptom of Vitamin C deficiency, which is rapid and easy bruising. Arteries become much less elastic when the collagen the forms them isn’t created with adequate Vitamin C. This leads to frequent ruptures, especially close to the skin during contact. Because collagen is also used in wound repair, the bleeding that is caused also lasts longer.
Vitamin C is also used in the primary mechanism of creating energy from carbohydrates. As this is most important way the body produces energy, a Vitamin C deficiency can cause a noticeable drop in energy levels of the individual. This has major effects on every area of the body and creates such symptoms as muscle weakness, fatigue, mental depression and confusion.
Vitamin C is mainly obtained from easy-to-find foods such as fruits and vegetables which provide large amounts of the nutrient. They symptoms of a Vitamin C deficiency are slow to develop and usually begin very mildly and are often overlooked. As the deficiency continues, the symptoms turn much worse. The symptoms that are usually the first to cause alarm have to do with collagen production, and include things like frequent nose bleeds as well as swollen gums and excessive bruising. Some of the symptoms that are often ignored include general fatigue and a depressed mental state. In most cases, the symptoms are reversible with supplementation and a diet correction.
