Vitamin C is essential for maintaining good health. It strengthens the immune system, eliminates free radicals and is involved in connective tissue formation. Because the human body is unable to make or effectively store this vitamin on its own, vitamin C deficiency quickly occurs.
What is vitamin C deficiency?
Vitamin C deficiency, as the name suggests, refers to an insufficient amount of ascorbic acid in the body. Deficiency symptoms trigger various complaints, which can manifest themselves in different symptoms. These are often not immediately attributable to a deficiency and can be very non-specific. Since vitamin C is involved in very many processes in the human body, a permanent deficiency can lead to various diseases. Often the overall well-being is disturbed by such a deficiency. On the one hand, vitamin C is involved in hormone synthesis, but on the other hand it also promotes the absorption of iron in the small intestine. It also binds heavy metals such as nickel, lead and cadmium. It increases the body’s immune defenses and strengthens bones and muscles. Unlike an overdose of many other vitamins, an overdose of vitamin C does not cause discomfort in the body. As long as it is taken through food and not through separate supplements, there are no side effects to worry about. As a rule, excess vitamin C is excreted again in the urine. It is water-soluble. Dietary supplements, on the other hand, can promote complaints in the digestive tract due to their dehydrating effect. Since they should be taken only in extreme emergencies and not replace the daily portion of fruits and vegetables.
Causes
The causes of vitamin C deficiency are primarily the insufficient intake of the vitamin through food. A corresponding lifestyle can also contribute significantly. For example, smoking, oral contraceptives and taking acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) also promote vitamin deficiency. Antibiotics have a similar effect. The reason for this, even if the intake was originally sufficient, is a lower absorption capacity of the body. It is no longer able to absorb the vitamin from food and excretes it unprocessed. For this reason, smokers in particular are recommended to increase their vitamin C intake by 50 percent in order to prevent deficiency symptoms. The situation is similar for various diseases. Gastrointestinal diseases in particular can cause a reduced absorption capacity of the body. Fresh fruit in particular is one of the most important sources of vitamin C. Citrus fruits and berries are particularly good sources. Citrus fruits and berries in particular have a high vitamin C content. But peppers and various types of cabbage also help to balance the daily requirement. For adults, the German Nutrition Society recommends around 100 milligrams of vitamin C a day. Pregnant women and nursing mothers also have a higher requirement, which is between 110 and 150 milligrams.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
The signs of vitamin C deficiency can be varied. Common is a high susceptibility to infections, because the immune system works worse. But fatigue, lack of concentration and cold symptoms such as aching limbs and joints are also not uncommon. The body’s ability to heal wounds may be reduced, and the risk of bleeding often increases at the same time. Thus, hematomas develop more quickly. In addition, the skin of the affected person may be rough, dry and scaly. Depending on the duration and severity of the deficiency, loosening of the teeth is also possible. Not all symptoms of vitamin C deficiency are clear-cut. More unspecific complaints are also possible, which as a rule cannot be clearly assigned. The general condition is often disturbed in the case of a vitamin C deficiency. Those affected feel listless, ill and exhausted. In people with vitamin C deficiency, depression has also been found to occur with above-average frequency. Especially in the case of frequent bleeding of the mucous membranes, especially the gums, a doctor should be consulted.
Diagnosis and course of the disease
The latter will usually ask about the patient’s lifestyle habits and previous illnesses. Questioning the patient (medical history) precedes the examination. The more pronounced the symptoms, the more quickly the physician can conclude that there may be a deficiency. The diagnosis is made by taking a blood sample. In the laboratory, the patient’s blood is examined for signs of deficiency. In this way, a clear diagnosis can be made.In the following, the physician will initiate further examinations, if necessary, to rule out diseases causing the deficiency.
Complications
A deficiency of vitamin C has negative effects on the entire body. The best-known complication is scurvy. This disease occurs after approximately four to eight weeks of a deficiency and is manifested, for example, by bleeding and growths of the gums, and the characteristic gray-yellowish skin. If comprehensive treatment is not given by then at the latest, the teeth of those affected will fall out and serious complications of the bones and joints will occur. Bone hemorrhages, joint inflammations and wound healing disorders are typical, as well as heart failure and a decline in physical and mental performance. This is usually accompanied by depression. In infants and young children, a vitamin C deficiency can cause bone growth disorders. In the further course, Möller-Barlow disease develops, a special form of anemia that can lead to death in infants. Early correction of vitamin C deficiency can prevent these complications. However, treatment by supplements carries the risk of vitamin poisoning. Also, possible side effects due to additives cannot be ruled out. Intravenous administration of vitamin C can lead to infection, injury to nerves and muscles, and other complications.
When should you see a doctor?
Vitamin C deficiency is accompanied by very nonspecific symptoms in the early stages. These include fatigue, weakness, mild muscle aches, increased susceptibility to infection, and a general lack of drive. These symptoms can have numerous causes and are not a clear indication of a vitamin C deficiency. In addition, the absorption of vitamin C in the body can be temporarily impaired by temporary factors such as smoking, medication (contraceptives, aspirin) or metabolic disorders, but normalize in the further course. A visit to the general practitioner at this early stage is not mandatory, but can still be helpful in clarifying the actual causes of the non-specific symptoms. As vitamin C deficiency progresses, very specific symptoms appear. These include inflamed and bleeding gums, delayed wound healing, edema, bleeding,, increasing joint pain, and a decreased ability to form collagen. The latter causes weakening of the connective tissue and can lead to further bleeding in the skin, especially in the thigh area. Furthermore, bleeding can occur over large areas as well as in spots. In extreme cases, bleeding into the eyes and mucous membranes is possible. Due to the permanently inflamed gums, there is still a risk of tooth loss. In this acute phase, a visit to the doctor is absolutely necessary. In addition to the general practitioner, a dentist and, if necessary, an internist should also be consulted to rule out a permanent metabolic disease.
Treatment and therapy
If the result of the blood test shows a vitamin C deficiency, it is first and foremost advisable to change lifestyle habits and especially diet. A conscious diet can contribute to the improvement of the overall condition. For example, those affected should eat more fruits and vegetables. If other diseases have been identified that negatively affect the absorption of vitamin C, these should be treated separately. Basically, a medical professional will advise giving up or reducing smoking. Apart from this, vitamin C supplements are often used in the first period to bring the vitamin C level back into regulation. This not only improves the general condition – the symptoms also usually disappear within a short time.
Prevent
Since vitamin C is sensitive to heat and light as well as air, it makes sense to eat fruit when it is still fresh. In addition, it should be stored in the refrigerator, as this helps the vitamins last longer. Often frozen food contains even more vitamins than such fruit, which is already a few days old.
To prevent vitamin C deficiency, it is important to eat fruits and vegetables every day. In industrialized countries, vitamin C deficiency has become rather rare.
Follow-up
Vitamin C fulfills important functions in the human body and must therefore be permanently ingested in sufficient doses through food.Once the vitamin C stores have been replenished after successful treatment of the deficiency, patients must continue to ensure an adequate supply of the vitamin in the long term. The necessary aftercare depends on the underlying disease and its successful treatment. If the cause of the deficiency can be treated without lasting consequences, a sufficient supply of vitamin C can be ensured with the help of a balanced, varied diet. High-quality sources of vitamin C that can be optimally utilized by the body are, above all, fresh fruit and vegetables and liver. However, it is not necessary to take high doses of dietary supplements containing the vitamin over the long term. If, on the other hand, the diagnosed deficiency can be traced back to a serious, ongoing illness such as cancer, it may make sense to take medication to supply the body with the vitamin on a permanent basis. Increased vitamin C requirements, for example in the case of heavy physical exertion in competitive sports, the use of certain medications or alcohol abuse, may also necessitate long-term treatment with medication. In such cases, vitamin C preparations should always be taken in consultation with a physician and adjusted promptly to changing circumstances. The basis of follow-up care is always a conscious diet with vitamin C-containing food.
What you can do yourself
A vitamin C deficiency can be remedied by a targeted change in diet. The menu should be balanced and consist of varied foods and drinks. In addition to fruits and vegetables, liver and fish also contain a lot of vitamin C.
In case of severe deficiency symptoms, the doctor should be consulted. This is particularly necessary in the case of complaints such as fever or joint inflammation, as the symptoms indicate a severe deficiency, which in the worst case can even cause heart failure. The physician can prescribe suitable dietary supplements to alleviate the symptoms. Vitamin C supplements are particularly useful in cases of vitamin C deficiency due to gastrointestinal disease, since the weakened intestinal tract cannot extract sufficient vitamins from food. Finally, sufficient sport should be practiced in the case of a vitamin C deficiency. Physical activity stimulates the metabolism and thus contributes to a better absorption of the vitamins. The steps that can be taken to quickly correct the deficiency also depend on the cause. Therefore, a vitamin C deficiency should always be discussed with the family doctor or an internist. Serious underlying diseases must be ruled out before the deficiency can be corrected in the long term.
