Vitamin C Deficiency Symptoms

Vitamin C (also known as Ascorbic acid) is important for growth and development of the skeletal system, cardio vascular system and the muscular system. It also helps the body absorb important iron compounds from food. If a person doesn’t have enough vitamin C  in their body, certain symptoms will begin to show as the overall health suffers.

These include slower healing of wounds or skin damaged by burns, the slower absorption of iron from foods consumed, a weakened immune system, and slowed development of proteins that help the body to maintain good bone and muscular health.  Other symptoms can be fatigue, headaches, back aches and other body pains. Irritability, vulnerability to bruises, discoloration of the skin, nose bleeds, and dental cavities. Scurvy is a very common symptom of Vitamin C deficiency. This disease presents itself with symptoms like bleeding gums, loss of teeth, very hard to treat wounds and eventually, if left untreated, could lead to death. While this disease is thought to be one that is long gone, in reality it is very much alive, even today.

The good news is that this issue can be easily remedied with the proper diet, along with some vitamins and supplements. Maintaining the necessary amount of Vitamin C in one’s body can be achieved through a proper diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables that are rich in sources of Vitamin C. Fish, legumes and root crops are good sources of Vitamin C. Citrus fruits (and juices) such as oranges and lemons also provide the human body with high levels of Vitamin C. Peaches are another fruit with that is a good source of Vitamin C.