One of the most known and commented vitamin of the world, and highly recommended in case of a flu or colds, it is ironical to find out that the intake of this substance is really low in general.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, an excellent fighter against free radical and a vital player in health generally. One of the most known and commented substance in the world, it is really ironical that the intake of this element in really low generally speaking. Especially when this vitamin is a good support in the following situations:
• Help to prevent cancer and increase the effect of cancer-fighting medicines.
• Reduce the menace of stroke and heart disease.
• Control body inflammation, diminishing the chance of gout and other inflammatory illnesses.
• Promote healthy skin and formation of collagen.
• Slow the age process naturally.
• Help the body to absorb minerals, iron for example.
• Reduce the level of stress.
• Improve the immune system.
• Increase physical routine.
When this substance is lacking, any of the following signs should be taken into consideration.
1. EASY BRUISING
An excessive bruising which can happen easily is an indicator of lacking vitamin C in the organism. If that the case, the intake of vitamin C is advisable to see if the marks disappear, since the consumption of the substance has proved effective to eliminate them. In case of the continued presence of the bruise, a specialist should be consulted as once,
2. SLOW WOUND HEALING
If cuts and scrapes take longer to heal is another indicator of lacking this element in the body. The formation of collagen is a primary function of vitamin C and this protein has proved to be very effective in the curing of wounds.
3. SWOLLEN, BLEEDING OR INFLAMATED GUMS
Oral problems can be generated from low levels of vitamin C in the body. This can be reflected in the present of mouth ulcers or swollen or bleeding gums. Once again, collagen plays an important role in the gum and buccal areas.
4. DRY OR SPLITTING HAIR AND NAILS.
Since vitamin C is distributed first to other organs before reaching hair or nails, a lacking of the substance would reflect diminishing conditions on any of these body parts.
5. RED, ROUGH OR DRY SKIN.
When the deficiency of the vitamin reaches high levels, scurvy would show up and one of the indicators of this disease is a red, rough and dry skin.
6. FREQUENT NOSEBLEEDS.
The strength of blood vessels diminishes highly when vitamin C is low. The weakness of the vessels greatly increases the possibilities of bleeding through the nose.
7. POOR IMMUNE FUNCTION.
As a good enhancer of the immune system, low levels of vitamin C would generate a weakness against illness or common maladies. If any common illness is hard to eliminate, the intake of this substance should be increased following, of course, the doctor’s indications.
8. SWOLLEN AND PAINFUL JOINTS.
Since vitamin C helps to control inflammation in the body, a lacking of the substance would not avoid the swollenness of joints and other parts of the body.
9. FATIGUE OR DEPRESSION.
These conditions can be presented in several other illnesses, but the presence of them along with any of the previous
symptoms would be taken as vitamin C insufficiency.
10. UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT GAIN.
The low levels of vitamin C tend to augment the fat present in the body and the circumference of the waist.
If any of the signs and symptoms described above is evident, it is necessary to visit a physician and start to change diet habits and include vitamin C in meals.