Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C can be found in so many food sources. Experts say that practically all fruits and vegetables contain some amount of it. The best sources of vitamin C include: citrus fruits, pineapples, kiwis, guavas, papayas, mangoes, berries, cauliflower, broccoli, bell peppers, potatoes, spinach, cabbage and turnip greens.
Evidently, vitamin C is quite easy to obtain via the diet. This is the reason why health conditions stemming from lack of vitamin C can be rare. If you have vitamin C deficiency, it’s very likely that you are not eating well-balanced meals!
The importance of getting sufficient vitamin C cannot be stressed enough. It is vital for keeping the immune system strong. It is essential for healthy skin, as well as proper healing of wounds. Vitamin C is required for the repair and also the maintenance of the bones. It promotes the proper absorption of iron too. The same vitamin is necessary for the synthesis of a protein type that’s important for the formation of blood vessels, tendons and ligaments.
Whew! That was quite long. To sum up, vitamin C is a nutrient that helps promote proper body functioning and optimum health. If you’re not getting enough of it, you may end up with certain problems. Continue reading to get to know some of the telltale signs and symptoms that you need to include more vitamin C-rich foods in your everyday diet.
Rapid Weight Reduction
Sure a lot of people are doing their best to get rid of excess pounds. However, losing weight because of vitamin C deficiency is not a good thing. That’s because this is a sign of malnutrition, rather than the result of exercising on a regular basis and opting for healthy food choices. Who wants to be slim if you’re always weak and sick all the time?
Constantly Feeling Exhausted
Fatigue can be attributed to a lot of health conditions, and not getting enough vitamin C is one of them. If you are no longer able to carry out a variety of mental and physical tasks as effortlessly as before, you might want to check your daily diet. If it does not contain plenty of vitamin C-sources, then you just found the reason for your unrelenting fatigue.
Mood Swings
One of the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency is mood changes. One time you may be feeling happy, the next you may be feeling down. A diet that lacks in vitamin C may also leave you feeling angry and irritated. This is not a good thing because it can lead to ruined relationships with family members, friends, co-workers and your special someone.
Weakened Immune System
Like what’s mentioned earlier, vitamin C is important in keeping your immune system strong. Not consuming enough foods with vitamin C can certainly render your immune system unable to fully defend your body against invading microbes. If you are constantly suffering from allergies and infections, you may need to increase your intake of vitamin C-rich foods.
A Less-Than-Perfect Smile
Vitamin C is also necessary for proper dental health. Otherwise, you may end up with a condition called scurvy. This is characterized by inflamed and bleeding gums, and it may cause you to lose your beaming smile! Scurvy happens if your body is deficient in vitamin C for a long period of time already, and it is regarded as a serious medical condition.
Easy Bruising
Do you feel like you end up with bruises faster than normal? You may need to consume more foods that contain good amounts of vitamin C. Easy bruising is one of the signs of vitamin C deficiency. The nutrient is important for the absorption of iron which wards off anemia. One of the hallmark signs of anemia is easy bruising.
