A prolonged vitamin C deficiency can cause severe and potentially life threatening symptoms. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables can help maintain optimal levels of this important nutrient.
Vitamin C is essential for tissue growth and repair and helps protect cells from damage.
Vitamin C deficiency is uncommon in the United States. It mainly affects individuals with very limited diets and those with certain underlying health issues. People who are deficient in vitamin C require urgent treatment to prevent serious complications.
This article outlines the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of vitamin C deficiency. It also lists some foods and drinks that are high in vitamin C and discusses the outlook for people with vitamin C deficiency.
![A colorful bowl of salad-1](https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/vitamin-deficiency-GettyImages-1461693297-Header-1024x575.jpg)
According to the
- 90 milligrams (mg) per day for males
- 75 mg per day for females
Depending on age, children require 15 mg to 75 mg daily and sometimes more in certain situations.
The
As the NIH explains, vitamin C deficiency is rare in the United States and other developed countries. Nonetheless, it can occur in individuals who have a limited diet and in those with certain health conditions.
Some factors that increase a person’s risk of vitamin C inadequacy or deficiency include:
- limited food variety, which may occur due to:
- following a restrictive diet
- disliking and avoiding many foods
- mental health issues
- alcohol or substance misuse
- smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
- medical conditions that reduce vitamin C absorption or increase the body’s vitamin C requirements, such as:
- severe intestinal malabsorption
- muscle wasting
- certain cancers
- end stage kidney disease
- long-term dialysis
According to the
Initial symptoms of scurvy may include:
- malaise
- fatigue
- gum inflammation
As vitamin C deficiency progresses, the body will not have enough vitamin C to help synthesize collagen, a type of protein. This leads to weakness of the connective tissues, which may result in the following signs and symptoms:
- hyperkeratosis, which is a thickening of the outer layer of the skin
- petechiae, which are small blood spots beneath the surface of the skin or mucus membranes
- purpura, which is a rash of purple spots due to bleeding from small blood vessels beneath the skin
- bruising
- corkscrew hairs
- wound healing issues
- joint pain
Other potential signs and symptoms of scurvy include:
- depression
- bleeding gums
- tooth loss
- iron deficiency anemia
According to a
The review adds that ascorbic acid levels below 0.2 mg per deciliter of blood indicate severe vitamin C deficiency.
Doctors may also conduct a skin biopsy to help with diagnosis. If a vitamin C deficiency is present, biopsies may show signs of the following:
- thickening of the skin surrounding the hair follicles
- bleeding around the hair follicles
- corkscrew hairs
- a large number of blood vessels
Untreated scurvy can cause serious and potentially life threatening problems, so prompt treatment with vitamin C supplementation is necessary.
A
For some adults, doctors may recommend a starting dose of 2 grams per day for the first 3 days, followed by 500 mg per day for 1 week, and then 100 mg daily for 1 to 3 months.
A
Learn about why vitamin C is important.
The best way to prevent scurvy is to eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. People can also consider taking a vitamin C supplement, but those who are pregnant or breastfeeding need to consult a doctor first.
As a
- Pregnancy: Pregnant individuals require 85 mg of vitamin C per day.
- Lactation: People producing breastmilk require 120 mg per day.
- Smoking: People who smoke or receive secondhand smoke exposure require an additional 35 mg per day.
Find the 7 best vitamin C supplements.
According to the
The NHS lists some fruits and vegetables that are particularly high in vitamin C. These include:
- citrus fruits and juices
- red and green peppers
- strawberries
- blackcurrants
- broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- potatoes
The NIH adds that cooking foods can reduce their vitamin C content. Steaming or microwaving may be better at retaining the vitamin C content.
Read more about foods high in vitamin C.
The outlook for people who receive treatment for vitamin C deficiency is positive. Most individuals notice an improvement in their symptoms within
Vitamin C deficiency is rare in the United States and other developed countries but can occur in people with limited diets and those with certain medical conditions.
Early symptoms of vitamin C deficiency may include malaise, fatigue, and swollen gums. Prolonged deficiency can cause more severe symptoms and even death.
The treatment for vitamin C deficiency is high dose vitamin C supplementation. Most people who receive this treatment notice an improvement in symptoms within days or weeks of starting the treatment.
The best way to prevent vitamin C deficiency is to eat a healthy and balanced diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables.