deficiency manifestations of vitamin c
Answers
Explanation:
scurvy...............
is caused by its defeciency
Explanation:
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that must be consumed regularly to prevent deficiency.
While deficiency is relatively rare in developed countries due to the availability of fresh produce and the addition of vitamin C to certain foods and supplements, it still affects roughly 7% of adults in the US .
The most common risk factors for vitamin C deficiency are poor diet, alcoholism, anorexia, severe mental illness, smoking and dialysis .
While symptoms of severe vitamin C deficiency can take months to develop, there are some subtle signs to watch out for.
Here are the 15 most common signs and symptoms of vitamin C deficiency
.1. Rough, Bumpy Skin
Vitamin C plays a key role in collagen production, a protein that is abundant in connective tissues like skin, hair, joints, bones and blood vessels .
When vitamin C levels are low, a skin condition known as keratosis pilaris can develop.
In this condition, bumpy “chicken skin” forms on the back of the upper arms, thighs or buttocks due to a buildup of keratin protein inside the pores .
Keratosis pilaris caused by vitamin C deficiency typically appears after three to five months of inadequate intake and resolves with supplementation .
However, there are many other potential causes of keratosis pilaris, so its presence alone is not enough to diagnose a deficiency.
2. Corkscrew-Shaped Body Hair
Vitamin C deficiency can also cause hair to grow in bent or coiled shapes due to defects that develop in the protein structure of hair as it grows.
Corkscrew-shaped hair is one of the hallmark signs of vitamin C deficiency but may not be obvious, as these damaged hairs are more likely to break off or fall out.
Hair abnormalities often resolve within one month of treatment with adequate amounts of vitamin C .
3. Bright Red Hair Follicles
Hair follicles on the surface of the skin contain many tiny blood vessels that supply blood and nutrients to the area.
When the body is deficient in vitamin C, these small blood vessels become fragile and break easily, causing small, bright red spots to appear around the hair follicles.
This is known as perifollicular hemorrhage and a well-documented sign of severe vitamin C deficiency .
Taking vitamin C supplements typically resolves this symptom within two weeks .
4. Dry, Damaged Skin
Healthy skin contains large amounts of vitamin C, especially in the epidermis, or outer layer of skin .
Vitamin C keeps skin healthy by protecting it from oxidative damage caused by the sun and exposure to pollutants like cigarette smoke or the ozone .
It also promotes collagen production, which keeps skin looking plump and youthful .
High intakes of vitamin C are associated with better skin quality, while lower intakes are associated with a 10% increased risk of developing dry, wrinkled skin .
While dry, damaged skin can be linked to vitamin C deficiency, it can also be caused by many other factors, so this symptom alone is not enough to diagnose a deficiency.
5. Slowly Healing Wounds
Since vitamin C deficiency slows the rate of collagen formation, it causes wounds to heal more slowly .
Research has shown that people with chronic, non-healing leg ulcers are significantly more likely to be deficient in vitamin C than those without chronic leg ulcers .
In severe cases of vitamin C deficiency, old wounds may even reopen, increasing the risk of infections.
Slow wound healing is one of the more advanced signs of deficiency and typically not seen until someone has been deficient for many months.