Key Points at a Glance
- People who eat a balanced diet generally do not suffer from a vitamin C deficiency.
- Expectant or breastfeeding mothers still need additional amounts of this vitamin—and the same applies to smokers.
- Older adults and people with diabetes must also ensure they get enough vitamin C.
- People who don't get enough vitamin C often experience symptoms.
Stories about sailors and pirates often revolve around heroism and adventure. Yet everyday life on board is often romanticized—and for many sailors, everyday life meant one thing: scurvy. A vitamin C deficiency caused by a poor diet. No vegetables, no fresh fruit, and an overall unbalanced diet. Yet scurvy is not a phenomenon from the distant past; it is still a reality today.
Although the disease and its symptoms rarely occur—because we pay attention to our diet these days and vitamin-rich foods are the norm—we can still get it at any time of year. However, pregnant women, the elderly, people with diabetes, and breastfeeding mothers have an increased need for vitamin C, which—if not met—can lead to a range of symptoms.
A vitamin C deficiency can make you feel tired and sluggish in the short term
If you often feel weak, constantly exhausted, and run down, you may be suffering from a vitamin C deficiency. Muscle pain and frequent colds, caused by a weakened immune system, are also symptoms that can occur when the body does not receive enough vitamin C.
A vitamin C deficiency becomes dangerous over the long term. It can lead to persistent bleeding gums (and, as a result, loose teeth and tooth loss), chronic joint pain, or very slow wound healing—even from the smallest injuries, such as cuts. In addition, there is an increased risk of fluid accumulating in the tissues and causing edema. In many cases, the body also loses its ability to produce collagen, an important structural protein that is crucial not only for ligaments, cartilage, and tendons but also for the skeleton.
A chronic vitamin C deficiency can be serious
Too little collagen—this can have serious consequences over time. Initially, the skin is often affected, and bleeding frequently occurs even without any significant injury. Bleeding also occurs more frequently in the mucous membranes, muscles, and internal organs. Furthermore, because joints and bones are no longer adequately supported, they are susceptible to structural changes.
By the way, bleeding can also occur in healthy people. However, if the sores appear at the hair follicles or in multiple places at once—which may even cover a large area—this is a clear indication of a vitamin C deficiency. In this case, it’s essential to see a doctor to have your blood’s vitamin C levels tested.
It is especially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Expectant mothers need to make sure they eat a diet rich in vitamins and iron; 100 milligrams of vitamin C per day is recommended. Mothers who are breastfeeding their babies need to consume even more vitamin C—at least 125 milligrams. Of course, it’s not easy to get enough vitamin C solely from a diet rich in fruits and vegetables—that’s exactly why dietary supplements and vitamin preparations exist.
