Fresh fruits and vegtables are an excellent source of vitamin C.
Vitamin C is essential to good health. It is an antioxidant, protecting cells from the damage caused by free radicals and helps in the creation of red blood cells by allowing the body to absorb iron. In addition, vitamin C is essential to repairing many parts of the human body including bone, skin, connective tissue, the healing of wounds, and maintains healthy teeth and gums. Reviewing the following facts will help you in understanding the dangers and symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency.
Cause
Copper cookware can cause foods to lose vitamin C.
Vitamin C deficiency is caused by not eating enough fruits and vegetables. The vitamin C contained within food can also be lost during cooking due to water solubility, heat, exposure to air and the use of copper cookware.
Symptoms
People who are deficient in vitamin C feel weak, tired and suffer from irritability. More serious symptoms can occur after a few months of deficiency, including bleeding from the gums, loose teeth, brittle hair and bleeding under the skin.
Scurvy
Scurvy is a disease caused by a severe deficiency in vitamin C, and the symptoms were recognized by both the Egyptians and the Greeks. In 1734, Bachstrom in Leiden maintained it was due to the lack of fresh vegetables in a person's diet. Suffering from Scurvy, the connective tissue within the body become defective and fragile. Muscles become weak, the body's ability to detoxify may become impaired and a person becomes prone to infections.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made primarily based on symptoms and sometimes via a blood test.
Treatment
Treatment of a simple vitamin C deficiency in most cases is to eat more fruits and vegetables. For a more serious deficiency such as scurvy, the treatment includes a high daily dose of a vitamin C supplement.
Recommended Daily Intake
The recommended daily dose of vitamin C for infants is 35 milligrams. Children should get 45 milligrams and adults should get at least 60 milligrams of vitamin C per day. The daily requirement for pregnant women and women breastfeeding is increased, and you should check with your doctor for appropriate intake levels. In addition, smokers, the elderly and those who consume high levels of alcohol have increased daily requirements.
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