Minerals and vitamins needed by the body are extremely important for human health. Many vitamins are found in vegetables, fruits and plants that grow naturally in nature. Some of them can also be taken with supplements sold in pharmacies when they are not available. Absence or deficiency of vitamins can cause many problems in the human body, from skin disorders to dental diseases, from wear of internal organs to eye disorders. Vitamin C is one of the important and necessary vitamins for human health.
What is vitamin C?
Vitamin C is an extremely important antioxidant that is heat-resistant and water-soluble. However, one of the vitamins that has a positive effect on the immune system is vitamin C. It collects the cells in the body and increases the immune cells.
Vitamin C, which is found in many plants, fruits and vegetables in nature, can also be obtained from pharmacies as a supplement. Some of the foods and drinks containing vitamin C are listed as follows:
- Grapefruit
- Mandarin
- Orange
- Potatoes
- green colored vegetables
- Lemon
- Red pepper
- Tomato juice
- Red cabbage
- cooked broccoli
- Melon
- Sweet potato
- Blackberry
- rosehip
- Strawberry
- Asparagus
- vine leaf
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Pea
- Cauliflower
Some of the benefits of vitamin C, which is one of the extremely necessary vitamins for the human body, are as follows:
- Vitamin C strengthens immunity with its antioxidant properties.
- Vitamin C helps lower blood pressure.
- Vitamin C increases the body’s iron absorption.
- Vitamin C is beneficial for the skin.
- Vitamin C strengthens hair.
- Vitamin C helps wounds heal faster.
- Vitamin C is beneficial for gums.
- Vitamin C helps solve eye-related problems.
- Vitamin C helps reduce inflammation.
- Vitamin C is effective in conditions such as depression and stress.
- Vitamin C is effective in fighting allergies.
As with many other vitamin deficiencies, vitamin C deficiency can cause serious health problems. In case of deficiency of vitamin C, which negatively affects both internal and external organs, problems such as the following may occur:
- Anemia
- limitation in movement
- Weakness
- Bleeding in various areas
- pain in arms
- Pains in legs
- Swelling in some areas of the body
- skin problems
- Gum disorders
- tooth loss
Likewise, consuming more vitamin C than necessary or foods containing vitamin C consumed more than necessary may also cause side effects. Some of the possible side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sleeping state
- headaches
- Tiredness
- Burning in chest
- cramps in the stomach
- Swelling
- skin flushing
What are the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency?
If the body does not have the necessary vitamin C, many diseases can occur. These diseases occur as a result of vitamin C deficiency. To understand whether a person has vitamin C deficiency, the following symptoms should be monitored:
- Dryness in hair
- Pain in joints
- Swelling in joints
- Frequent illness as a result of weakened immune system
- Wounds begin to heal more slowly
- Inflammation of the gums (Scurvy)
- Aggravation in cases of infection
Should vitamin C be drunk every day?
Vitamin C, which dissolves in water and is not stored in the body, is a vitamin that must be renewed every day. It is not stored in the body and is excreted through excretion such as sweat or urine. That’s why it needs to be taken every day. The daily doses to be taken differ between men and women.
For example, the daily amount of vitamin C required for women is accepted as 75 mg. For men, the daily amount of vitamin C required should generally be 90 mg. It would be best to use vitamin supplements under medical supervision and in consultation with a specialist.
The dose and amount of vitamin C supplements that people should take according to their body, vitamin C deficiencies and needs should be determined by the doctor, and the recommendations given by the doctor should be strictly followed by the person.