What Happens If I Don't Have Enough Vitamin C In My System?
When you are thinking about vitamin C, it's very likely that you think about tall, ice cold glasses of orange juice. While that is one tasty source, vitamin C can be found in a host of different foods, and that's a fortunate thing. Vitamin C is critical for our bodies to function correctly, and not having enough of what we need can cause some very ugly results. Consider and really give some thought to whether you are getting enough vitamin C in your diet and if your body might be trying to tell you that you do not.
To begin with, think about where you get vitamin C from. Oranges, and in fact all citrus fruit, has a high vitamin C content, but almost any fresh fruit or vegetable will have a detectable amount of this vitamin in it. As an example, some other fruits and vegetables that contain a high concentration of vitamin C include guava, spinach, persimmons, Brussels sprouts, mangoes and melons. Even though animal products will give you considerably less vitamin C per the amount of food consumed, vitamin C can also be found in animal liver. If you have concerns that you are not getting enough, a multivitamin or a supplement can help offset an inadequate diet.
Have you ever felt a cold or flu coming on and managed to fight back by drinking large amounts of juices rich in vitamin C? This vitamin plays an integral part in making your immune system buck up, and when you take it early and often enough, you can significantly shorten your sick time. Vitamin C is an irreplaceable resource for your body, and the results of you're not getting enough can be easily noticeable. As an example, you may find yourself feeling sick, puny or irritable almost all the time. You could very well become prone to illness and infections. When babies don't get enough vitamin C, their growth is likely to be impaired.
If you continue to allow a vitamin C deficiency to go unchecked, complications as severe as scurvy could develop. Nightmarish symptoms can include bleeding under the skin, the massive development of bruises, and the loss of your teeth. Anemia can develop from this condition, and you will discover that you are more and more subject to sickness and fatigue.
When you are examining whether or not you are obtaining enough vitamin C in your diet, you should know that the recommended daily amount for women is approximately 75 mg a day, with 90 mg as the suggested amount for men. Pregnant women should allow for another 10 mg on top of that, and women who are breastfeeding should consider taking an additional 45 mg. Should you be a smoker, your intake should be at least 100 mg of vitamin C a day.
Promise yourself that you'll take some time to make certain that you are getting the correct amount of vitamin C in your system. Some people find that they need to really ponder their situation, and if they have noticed any of the symptoms above, they'll find that infusing their body with the positive effects of vitamin C can have some truly remarkable results.
About the author:
Carolyn Cooper is recognized as a well known expert on bruising causes through a combination of her educational experience in nutrition and her real life expertise with nutritional supplements for athletes, ranging from children to the professional ranks. You can get a free Special Report on bruising causes and see what she's done to get you beyond the nightmares of easy bruising and help you prevent bruising altogether.
