Be careful, Vitamin C deficiency can interfere with health

Vitamin C is an important nutrient that is useful for repairing body tissues, helping the absorption of iron, and maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, and bones. Vitamin C deficiency has the potential to cause a variety of health problems, ranging from frequent bleeding gums to heart disease. Because vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has many important functions for health, everyone is recommended to fulfill their daily vitamin C needs. Adult men are recommended to consume approximately 90 mg of vitamin C per day. While adult women, around 75-85 mg per day. While in children to adolescents, the recommended intake of vitamin C is around 50-75 mg per day.

Impact of Vitamin C Deficiency

Vitamin C deficiency usually occurs due to unhealthy eating patterns (rarely eating fruits and vegetables), or because of impaired absorption of vitamin C in the body. The following are some conditions that can occur if the body is deficient in vitamin C:

1. Skin problems

The body needs vitamin C to produce collagen, which is a protein that forms the layer of skin and connective tissue in the body. Lack of vitamin C intake will reduce collagen levels in the body, which then has the potential to cause various skin problems, such as rough and dry skin. Lack of vitamin C can also make nails become brittle, white striped, and there appear to be red dots.

2. Difficult wounds heal

In addition to maintaining healthy skin, collagen also plays an important role in the process of wound healing. Therefore, lack of vitamin C will make it more difficult to heal wounds. In addition, vitamin C deficiency also makes wounds more susceptible to infection.

3. Easy bruising

Lack of vitamin C can make blood vessels break easily due to reduced amount of collagen. As a result, blood leaks into the surrounding area and causes bruising. Bruising is a common symptom due to lack of vitamin C.

4. The body is easily tired

Just as easy bruising, the body feels weak is also one of the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency. Because, lack of vitamin C can interfere with the process of converting fat into energy in the body, and reduce the body's ability to absorb iron. Lack of vitamin C which has antioxidant properties can also make mood change easily.

5. Gums bleed easily and teeth fall out

Vitamin C also plays a role in maintaining healthy gums and teeth. Vitamin C deficiency will make teeth vulnerable to dislodging and bleeding gums easily. For people who already have dental and gum health problems before, the disorders that occur in the mouth due to vitamin C deficiency can be more severe. In some cases, lack of vitamin C makes the gums dark purple.

6. Increase body weight

There are studies that suggest that low levels of vitamin C in the body can increase fat formation, especially in the stomach. As a result, the risk of obesity will increase.

7. The immune system is weak

Some studies have found that lack of vitamin C intake can weaken the immune system. This condition makes a person more susceptible to infections, such as flu and pneumonia.

8. Joint pain

Lack of vitamin C intake is believed to cause pain and swelling in the joints. Even in severe cases, this disruption in the joints can make it difficult for sufferers to walk.

9. Skorbut

Skorbut or scurvy is a condition that can occur if the body experiences severe vitamin C deficiency. This condition can be identified by the appearance of symptoms such as weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and fever. If left untreated, Skorbut has the potential to cause dangerous diseases, such as heart disease. Even the worst possibility is that the scars that don't get treated can cause death. In addition to some of the diseases above, vitamin C deficiency is also associated with an increased risk of cancer and eye disorders related to aging (macular degeneration). To avoid the various diseases above, try to frequently consume food sources of vitamin C as part of a balanced nutritious diet. If necessary, you can also take vitamin C supplements. To determine the appropriate type of food and supplements, you can further consult with your nutritionist.