Vitamin C Deficiency: Can it Cause Scurvy?

If your body becomes deficient in vitamin C, you take the chance of acquiring a disease called Scurvy. Vitamin C cannot be manufactured in the body, so you need to obtain it from other sources of foods and herbs. Getting the correct dosage of vitamin C will help eliminate your chances of getting this disease.

What is Vitamin C

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is called an antioxidant. It helps to repair and grow the tissues in your body. It also helps with the adrenal gland function, and keeps the gums in your mouth healthy. This vitamin is also great at helping the body absorb iron, prevent cancer, enhance your immune system, protects again infections.

You can get vitamin C from a large variety of foods. The various types of foods include berries, citrus fruits, and green vegetables. There are also a few herbs that are available for your daily intake of this vitamin. Some of these are peppermint, kelp, rose hips, and alfalfa.

Examples of foods that you can eat to increase your vitamin C intake are:

asparagus, avocados, Brussels sprouts, grapefruit, cantaloupe, onions, oranges, green peas, radishes, sweet peppers, strawberries, mangoes, tomato's, lemons, kale, beet greens, broccoli, mustard greens, spinach, pineapple

Vitamin C Caution:

Use caution when taking vitamin C with aspirin. You do not want to take these together in large doses. It is possible to cause irritation to the stomach which can trigger stomach ulcers. Talk with your doctor if you are taking aspirin on a regular basis. Your doctor may recommend a different variation of vitamin C.

What is Scurvy

When your body does not have enough Vitamin C, then you take the chance of getting the disease called Scurvy. If you start notice bleeding gums, sores that are not healing properly, extreme weakness, swelling, and pinpoint hemorrhages under your skin, then you may want consult your doctor for evaluation. There are a few other signs that you may notice. Examples are you may bruise easily, you are sick a lot, you are digesting your food normally, joint pains, and even losing your teeth.

Vitamin C Deficiency and Scurvy

If you know you have Scurvy, then make sure you are getting enough vitamin C in your body. Increase your foods that are rich in this antioxidant. Don't suffer with the effects that Scurvy can cause. There are a lot of food choices out there to incorporate vitamin C in to your daily meals.

See your doctor if you are getting your daily intake of Vitamin C and still having problems. Don't let Scurvy ruin your life and make you feel miserable.

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