Vitamin C and Scurvy

 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, known as ascorbic acid, is a very water-soluble substance. It helps various immune cell functions, necessary for collagen (connective tissue protein) production, keeps the body healthy, and fights against disease.  Despite its many benefits, vitamin C deficiency is common.

It is sensitive to heat, light, high pH, and oxygen; so prolonged storage and overcooking reduce or destroy it. It is found in various foods such as oranges, lemons, cauliflower, potatoes, broccoli, brussels sprouts, guava, etc.

Insufficient vitamin C intake causes scurvy, which causes skin and bone damage, and if left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems, even gangrene of the limbs and death.

Benefits of Vitamin C

The benefits of vitamin C are as follows:

• Collagen, a protein that gives structure to connective tissues, skin, blood vessels, and bones, is synthesized with vitamin C.
• Antioxidants like vitamin C protect cells from free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause the aging process and other various diseases, including cancer.
• It plays a vital role in the repair of structures rich in connective tissue (skin, bone, cartilage, ligaments, capillary vessels).
• It improves the immune function and helps the body defend against infections, including the common cold and illnesses.
• It aids in iron absorption.
• Vitamin C supplementation helps reduce the duration and severity of common colds.

Sources of Vitamin C

Some common sources of vitamin C are:

A. Citrus Fruits

• Orange
• Grapefruit
• Lemon
• Olive
• Lime

B. Berries

• Strawberry
• Blueberry
• Raspberry
• Blackberry
• Cranberry

C. Other Fruits

• Tomato
• Lychee
• Cherry
• Pineapple
• Green mango
• Papaya
• Kiwi
• Guava
• Watermelon

D. Vegetables

• Peppers
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Kale
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Potato
• Parsley
• Sweet potato

Daily Requirements of Vitamin C

It is important to note that for adults, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) is typically 90 milligrams for men, 75 milligrams for women, 75 mg for teens 14-18 years (boys), 65 mg for teens 14-18 years (girls), 85 mg for pregnant women, and 120 mg for breastfeeding women. It depends on the person's age and sex, and also other conditions like pregnancy, lactation, malnutrition, and cancer.

Scurvy

Vitamin C deficiency is also known as scurvy. Precipitating factors for scurvy are due to less intake of vitamin C by old patients, patients with chronic alcohol use, chronic kidney disease, and cancer, history of trauma, surgery, burns, smoking, less dietary fruit and vegetable intake for more than two months, and infants fed exclusively on boiled milk.

This condition impairs wound healing, causes capillary bleeding, and reduces platelet adhesion. This causes bleeding gums, loose teeth, and other oral health problems.

Vitamin C deficiency or scurvy symptoms include malaise, fatigue, loss of appetite, insomnia, irritability, weakness, and low resistance to infection. Other symptoms are swollen gums that bleed easily, perifollicular and petechial hemorrhage, joint pain, haemarthrosis, sub-periosteal and subcutaneous hemorrhage, and anemia. 

At the final stage, a person may suffer from ecchymosis, increased risk of fractures, gastrointestinal bleeding, poor wound healing, gangrene of the limbs, intracerebral hemorrhage, and death.

Diagnosis of Scurvy

Advanced scurvy can be diagnosed clinically based on skin and bone lesions like swollen, bleeding gums, subcutaneous hemorrhage, and hemarthrosis. The diagnosis can be confirmed with decreased plasma ascorbic acid levels, typically below the normal (the normal range of ascorbic acid levels in the blood is 0.4-2 mg/dl).

Treatments for Scurvy

Adult scurvy can be treated with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 300-1000 mg/day by mouth. A dose of 250 mg of vitamin C three times daily by mouth is sufficient to correct scurvy. Improvement generally occurs within days.

The deficiencies in the patient's diet also need to be corrected, and other vitamin supplements should also be given if necessary. Daily intake of more than 1gm orally has been reported to cause diarrhea and the formation of kidney stones, so a high dose of vitamin C should be avoided.

Infantile Scurvy

Infantile scurvy occurs in an infant, manifested by irritability, bone tenderness with swelling, and pseudo-paralysis of the legs. The disease may occur if infants are fed milk other than breastfeeding, like cow's milk, in the first year of life, or if the diet is devoid of fruits and vegetables.

Conclusion

Vitamin C is a water-soluble substance. It is an important antioxidant and can help to protect cells from damage. It is found in many fruits and vegetables, including oranges, grapefruits, bell peppers, and broccoli.

Vitamin C deficiency, also known as scurvy, can result in joint and muscle pain because it is essential for collagen synthesis. Collagen is a basic component of the body's connective tissues, including those in joints and muscles. A deficiency can impair the body's ability to repair wounds, which may take longer to heal.

Therefore, we should regularly consume high-vitamin C foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C supplements are also available and can be a good way to get additional vitamin C.