Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin necessary for normal growth and development, and having a Vitamin C deficiency directly affects the immune system and some of our main bodily functions.

We are all aware that one of the main functions of Vitamin C is to help strengthen the immune system to prevent colds. Something we might not be aware of, however, is that Vitamin C provides other important benefits.

Vitamin C belongs to a group of vitamins that are water-soluble and that our body cannot produce on its own, which is why we should get it via foods and nutritional supplements. Because it’s water-soluble, excess amounts of the vitamin leave the body through urine, which means we need a steady supply of it in our daily diet.

The required vitamin C dose varies from person to person depending on age, gender, level of physical activity, the temperature, where they live, etc., so, far from determining an exact number of Vitamin C milligrams per day, here are some symptoms that can help you identify a Vitamin C deficiency:

1. WEAK IMMUNE SYSTEM

This is the most common sign of Vitamin C deficiency. If you get sick frequently—especially with a cold—and it takes you a long time to recover, you should take extra Vitamin C to boost your immune system.

2. STRESS AND DEPRESSION

Lack of Vitamin C also affects our emotional and mental health, causing dull and depressive episodes, mood swings, and irritability.

3. BRUISES AND WOUNDS THAT WON’T HEAL

Vitamin C deficiency also causes easy bruising, or you may find that your wounds take a while to heal. This is because your body fails to produce enough collagen to repair tissue.

4. DRY SKIN AND HAIR

Vitamin C also helps us have healthy skin and hair, so if either dries out suddenly, it might be that you need more of this vitamin.

5. LACK OF ENERGY

If you’re experiencing more fatigue than usual and find that resting doesn’t help much, it can mean you’re lacking in Vitamin C.

6. BODY ACHES

This deficiency can also cause muscle and joint pain.

7. MOUTH PROBLEMS

This vitamin is key to having a healthy mouth; therefore, another sign of deficiency is gingivitis and bleeding or swollen gums.

8. SCURVY

Although this is a rare condition nowadays, we would be remiss to leave it out, since it’s caused by a severe lack of Vitamin C. Look out for its symptoms: anemia, red or purple blotches, bruises, weakness, fatigue, rashes, gum ulcerations, and hemorrhages. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, a person with scurvy exhibiting some of the above symptoms, may die abruptly of heart failure, despite not appearing seriously ill.

Have you experienced any of these symptoms? If so, talk to your doctor to make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin C. Even though we can get this vitamin through a healthy, balanced diet, factors like age and lifestyle often prevent us from getting the proper nutrition, so it’s essential to help our body out by taking vitamin supplements like Redoxon®, whose effervescence makes it easy to absorb, and its combination of zinc and Vitamin C enhances its antioxidant effects, further strengthening your immune system.

REFERENCES

• MedlinePlus. (2019). U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/002404.htm
• National Geographic en Español. (n.d.). 7 señales de que te falta Vitamina C. Retrieved from https://www.vix.com/es/imj/salud/7526/7-senales-de-que-te-falta-vitamina-c
• Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) (2016). Datos sobre la Vitamina C. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/pdf/factsheets/VitaminC-DatosEnEspanol.pdf
• Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la alimentación y la agricultura (FAO). (n.d.). Carencia de Vitamina C y escorbuto. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/3/w0073s/w0073s0n.htm