• Vitamins and Supplements

Vitamin C Deficiency: Warning Signs, Treatment, and Prevention Strategies

Medically reviewed and edited by Kathlene (Katy) Vannoy AANP-C

Waking up feeling unusually tired, battling frequent infections, and experiencing skin issues may seem like minor annoyances at first, but they could be signs of a vitamin C deficiency.

For many individuals, this deficiency can develop unnoticed and cause unexpected health issues. That’s why it’s so important to understand the warning signs and take preventative steps.

What is Vitamin C and How Does it Affect the Body?

Vitamin C — also known as ascorbic acid — is an essential water-soluble nutrient that helps maintain various bodily processes. 

It’s a powerful antioxidant, which means vitamin C can help neutralize free radicals and reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress.

These factors are known contributors to health conditions like heart disease and cancer. Vitamin C’s ability to inhibit free radicals helps protect the body from these diseases.

Vitamin C is also crucial for:

• Supporting the immune system

• Improving iron absorption

• Enhancing brain function and cognitive health

• Producing collagen, which keeps your skin and bones strong and healthy 

Unlike certain other vitamins, the body can’t produce its own vitamin C. This means you need to obtain enough vitamin C through diet or supplementation to meet your daily needs. 

Common Causes of Vitamin C Deficiency

Dietary causes 

Following a poor diet is a common cause of vitamin C deficiency.

Vitamin C is mainly found in fresh produce — like citrus fruits, berries, bell peppers, and leafy greens.

A diet lacking these foods — particularly one high in processed foods or extreme restriction — may lead to insufficient vitamin C intake.

Cooking methods can also contribute to a lower intake of dietary vitamin C since many of these can diminish the nutrient content in food.

For example, cooking food at high temperatures or using boiling methods can result in a loss of nutrients. This lowers the overall nutritional value of your meals and increases your risk of deficiencies.

Lifestyle and environmental factors 

Certain lifestyle choices and environmental factors can significantly impact vitamin C levels in the body.

For example, smoking increases the body’s need for vitamin C due to the oxidative stress it causes.

This means smokers require more vitamin C than nonsmokers. Over time, this puts them at a higher risk of developing a deficiency.

Similarly, exposure to pollutants or chronic stress can lower vitamin C levels. This is due to the body depleting vitamin C for its antioxidant properties to fight free radical damage.

Medical conditions

Several medical conditions may interfere with how the body absorbs and uses vitamin C, which can contribute to a deficiency.

Conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract — such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (UC) — can impair nutrient absorption. 

People with these conditions may struggle to maintain their vitamin C intake from diet alone and may require supplements to prevent a deficiency.

Warning Signs of Vitamin C Deficiency 

If you become deficient in vitamin C you may experience certain symptoms and warning signs. These may include:

• Persistent fatigue and weakness despite getting enough rest

• Frequent infections and difficulty recovering from mild illnesses

• Slow healing of wounds 

• Dry and damaged skin

• Bleeding gums 

• Declining oral health 

• Tooth loss

• Unexplained weight gain

• Concave fingernails with red spots or lines

• Painful, swollen joints

You should seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms, as untreated vitamin C deficiencies can contribute to additional health concerns.

Your doctor can help you determine an appropriate course of action to address your deficiency and avoid any issues. 

What are the Treatment Options for Vitamin C Deficiency?

Dietary changes

The most common way to treat and prevent vitamin C deficiency is by incorporating more ascorbic acid-rich foods into your diet. This includes whole foods like:

• Fruits, such as oranges, strawberries, kiwi, and grapefruit

• Vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and spinach 

Ensuring that you follow a healthy diet that includes a wide variety of these foods and vegetables can help you naturally boost your vitamin C intake.

Lifestyle adjustments 

In addition to dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments can also help you manage and prevent a vitamin C deficiency. Healthy changes you can make include:

• Reducing stress 

• Quitting smoking

• Limiting alcohol consumption 

These habits can deplete the body’s vitamin C stores more rapidly and are significant risk factors for a deficiency if you don’t increase your intake.

By adopting a healthier lifestyle, you not only maintain adequate vitamin C levels but you also support your overall well-being.

Supplementation 

In cases where dietary and lifestyle changes aren’t sufficient — such as when you have a severe vitamin C deficiency — a supplement may be recommended.

Vitamin C supplements are potent doses of ascorbic acid that can effectively boost your nutrient levels quickly.

Always consult with your doctor before you start using any dietary supplements. This allows them to recommend an appropriate dosage based on your individual needs.

This also helps you avoid overdosing on vitamin C, which can cause many other health conditions.

Risks of Untreated Vitamin C Deficiency

Increased risk of chronic disease

Prolonged vitamin C deficiency can increase your risk of long-term health issues, including:

• Weakened immune system: Vitamin C is essential for a strong immune system that can fight infections. Without enough vitamin C, you may get sick more often with colds, pneumonia, and other illnesses. You might also take longer to recover from these infections.

• Heart and blood vessel problems: Vitamin C helps protect your heart and blood vessels from oxidative damage. A lack of vitamin C can cause issues like plaque buildup in your arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Vitamin C also helps relax blood vessels, and low levels of this nutrient might contribute to high blood pressure.

• Anemia: Ascorbic acid helps your body absorb iron, which is needed to make red blood cells. Without enough vitamin C, your body won’t absorb enough iron, leading to anemia. This condition can leave you feeling tired and weak, while also impairing oxygen transport to your organs.

• Slow wound healing: Vitamin C is vital for making collagen, a protein that helps heal wounds. Without enough ascorbic acid, cuts and wounds may heal more slowly, and you may bruise more easily or have dry, rough skin.

• Joint and bone issues: Vitamin C helps keep your joints, bones, and connective tissues healthy. Low vitamin C can lead to joint problems, causing pain and swelling.

• Brain health issues: Ascorbic acid also protects your brain and improves cognitive function. Low levels of vitamin C can increase your risk of neurodegenerative diseases and have been linked to a higher risk of conditions like Alzheimer's disease. You might also experience persistent brain fog and mental health issues due to vitamin C deficiency.

Scurvy

Scurvy occurs when a vitamin C deficiency is severe and can be dangerous if left untreated. 

Although rare in modern society, scurvy can still develop if individuals don’t consume enough vitamin C over an extended period.

This condition is most common in elderly individuals, and people who don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables or have absorption issues. 

If you develop scurvy, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Bruising or red spots on the skin 

• Bleeding gums

• Bleeding inside the muscles or joints 

• Anemia 

• Mental confusion

• Seizures, in extreme cases

It’s essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you suspect that you may be developing scurvy.

Leaving this condition untreated can cause severe health issues, including fatal infections and major organ failure.

Your doctor can help you determine a safe and effective way to address your deficiency.

How Long Does it Take to Recover from Vitamin C Deficiency?

The recovery time for vitamin C deficiency depends on the severity and treatment method used. 

In most cases, people will start to see improvements within a few days. For mild deficiencies, symptoms — such as fatigue and irritability — typically start to improve within 48 hours.

However, full recovery of vitamin C deficiencies may take a few weeks as the body restores its ascorbic acid levels.

If your deficiency is severe, your body will need time to rebuild and repair damaged tissues while replenishing vitamin C stores.

Keep managing your vitamin C intake even after your symptoms improve to prevent recurring deficiencies. 

Where Can You Learn More About Healthy Lifestyle Habits?

If you’re looking for more information on healthy lifestyle habits to improve your overall well-being, LifeMD has got you covered.

A team of medical professionals can help you create healthy habits — all from the comfort of your home. 

Make an appointment with LifeMD to take control of your health today.

Kathlene (Katy) Vannoy AANP-C

Katy earned her BS in Biology and BA in Chemistry from Southern Methodist University, her BS in Nursing from Barry University, and her Master of Science in Nursing from UNC Charlotte. Katy’s passions include traveling, beaching, and enjoying great food

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