7 Signs Show You’re Running Low In Vitamin C

Want to know if you have a vitamin C deficiency? These Are The Silent Signs You Should Never Be Ignored

Are you feeling a bit off lately? Your body might be dropping hints that you're running low on the superhero nutrient – Vitamin C! Also known as ascorbic acid, this essential nutrient plays a crucial role in ensuring your body functions at its best. It goes beyond promoting radiant skin, strong bones, and collagen formation – it's your body's defender, shielding cells from the tricky damage caused by free radicals, so as to help prevent issues like heart disease and cancer.

While Vitamin C can be obtained from your daily diet, evidence suggests that many people fall short of maintaining adequate levels. Vitamin C deficiency, also known as scurvy, is a serious condition that, if left untreated, can lead to severe side effects. In this article, we'll explore key signs and symptoms that could point to lower levels of Vitamin C in the body. If you're experiencing these signs and symptoms, it's time to consider boosting your Vitamin C intake.

What Causes Vitamin C Deficiency?

Insufficient Dietary Intake:

If your plate lacks the vibrant hues of fruits and veggies, your body might be missing out on Vitamin C. Eating too little or having a limited diet with few Vitamin C sources increases the risk of scurvy.

In addition, Vitamin C deficiency also results from:

• Dealing with a fever or inflammatory diseases,

• Suffering from prolonged bouts of digestive issues (like ongoing diarrhea),

• Smoking or drinking heavily,

• Going through pregnancy,

• Having a poor diet with low fruit and vegetable intake (key sources of Vitamin C),

• Facing serious digestive system disorders like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin C Deficiency:

1. Fatigue That Just Won't Quit

Feeling more tired than usual? It could be a sign that your body is craving more Vitamin C. This essential nutrient plays a pivotal role in energy production, and a deficiency might leave you dragging your feet throughout the day, even if you're always tired despite adequate rest and healthy foods.

Studies suggest that eating Vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies into your diet can do wonders for your overall mood. It's like a natural mood booster, reducing fatigue, boosting vitality, and minimizing feelings of depression, such as tiredness and irritability.

2. Difficult To Recover From Cold and Flu

Are you constantly under the weather? Vitamin C has proven to be extremely beneficial for its immune-boosting powers. If you find yourself catching every cold that comes your way, or struggling to recover from illnesses, your body might be signaling a need for more Vitamin C to strengthen your defenses.

Adding timely Vitamin C support helps this nutrient gather within various immune cells. So your body’s immune system has the superpower to resist infections and eliminate harmful pathogens that can cause illness or disease.

3. Skin Troubles and Slow Wound Healing

Noticing pesky skin issues or wounds taking forever to heal? The recovery from wounds and the body's defense against infections rely on the special touch of Vitamin C.

Vitamin C is a skin-loving nutrient that promotes collagen synthesis, which keeps skin appearing young and plump and causes speedy wound recovery. A deficiency could be hindering your skin's natural rejuvenation process, causing longer bleeding times and slower healing.

4. Joint Pain and Weakness

Vitamin C deficiency can also have an impact on joint health. Research found that individuals with low Vitamin C levels are three times more likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis compared to those with higher levels.

Vitamin C plays a role in maintaining healthy connective tissues, and a deficiency may contribute to joint pain and weakness. Give your joints the support they need with a Vitamin C boost.

5. Swollen and Bleeding Gums

If your gums bleed easily, it might be time to check your Vitamin C levels. Getting enough Vitamin C has been proven to be a game-changer for gum health, reducing inflammation, and promoting gum well-being.

When your Vitamin C levels dip, your gums tend to get a bit touchy. They bleed more, and without enough Vitamin C to speed up the healing process, those bleeding gums might take their sweet time to recover. Gums swell when there's inflammation, and Vitamin C acts like an antioxidant, helping prevent that inflammation.

6. Mood Swings and Stress Intensified

Feeling more stressed and moody than usual? Vitamin C is known to support mental well-being and help combat stress. Low levels could be a factor in heightened stress levels and mood swings.

7. Dry Hair and Brittle Nails

Dry hair and brittle nails could be a warning sign for Vitamin C and other key nutrient deficiencies.

Getting enough vitamin C ensures that your body can make the most of iron-rich foods, and that’s why iron deficiencies often go hand in hand with vitamin C deficiencies. Without enough iron, you might find your nails becoming fragile, indented, developing ridges, and experiencing slow hair growth or even hair loss. Because hair is a non-essential tissue, the body prioritizes Vitamin C for other critical tissues, leaving your hair feeling neglected.