Could you be vitamin C deficient?
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that your body needs for numerous daily functions. Most of us are aware of vitamin C’s star status at supporting our immune system, over and above any other vitamins or minerals. With winter ills and chills season upon us, a healthy immune system, courtesy of vitamin C, may help support recovery for ills and chills and support your immune defences.
But that’s just the start of this vitamin’s powers – vitamin C supports repair and regeneration of tissues, heart health, iron absorption, healthy cholesterol balance and collagen building. It’s also an antioxidant that helps protect cells and DNA against free radicals and other harmful agents that can cause damage to cells.
Do you need a supplement?
Since your body doesn’t create it or store it, developing a vitamin C deficiency is easier than you might expect. Certain fruits and vegetables are high in vitamin C but if you’re not getting enough of these foods in your daily diet, a supplement is the way to go. Here are some more signs that you could be deficient in vitamin C:
Susceptibility to ills and chills.
Vitamin C is needed for the production of white blood cells that are a vital part of your immune response. As an antioxidant, vitamin C also helps protect the health of immune cells so that they can work efficiently to support your immune defences for ills and chills.
Fatigue, moodiness
Vitamin C plays a key role in energy production and mood stabilisation, so a lack of vitamin C can throw both your energy and mood out of balance.
Weight management
When fatigue from low vitamin C sets in, it’s also a sign that vitamin C’s support of energy production is flagging, and your metabolism suffers. When your metabolism slows, you’re more likely to start adding kilos.
Healthy Gums
Your gums are made up partially of collagen, which is why they tend to be more sensitive when your vitamin C levels dip. They can bleed more, as well.
Weak blood vessels in the nose
Since vitamin C supports collagen in strengthening blood vessels, having a vitamin C deficiency can result in weakened blood vessels, causing them to burst more frequently.
Dry, split hair
Hair depends on collagen for strength and health: When you’re low on C your collagen production can pay the price, leading to weak and brittle hair that falls out easily.
Slow wound healing and easy bruising
Your body’s ability to heal is dependent, in part, on vitamin C, which not only supports the formation of collagen to strengthen the scar tissue that forms over wounds, but also supports the immune response that works to repair wounds. With a vitamin C deficiency, this process is less efficient, causing slower healing. If you bruise easily, it could be a sign that your blood vessel walls – which are made largely from collagen – are weak.
Dry, red, or wrinkled skin
Collagen keeps your skin supple and free from wrinkles, so it’s no surprise that a lack of vitamin C is associated with wrinkled skin – or that adequate amounts of vitamin C can keep your skin looking young. As an antioxidant, vitamin C reduces damage caused to the skin by UV light exposure, reducing your risk of sunburn.
Stiff joints
Since the cartilage in your joints is largely made of collagen, low vitamin C levels can result in less padding between bones, as well as stiff joints. Consuming enough vitamin C allows your body to produce the collagen it needs to have healthy, strong joints.
A daily fix is essential
As vitamin C gets excreted in urine, you need to consume it daily to get all the benefits, not just in times of need. Most people think of oranges as the vitamin C saviours – and they are a great source – but many other fruit and vegetables contain this nutrient such as blackcurrants, strawberries, kiwi, papaya, broccoli, capsicum, cauliflower and tomatoes. If you’re not getting enough of these foods in your daily diet, a supplement is the way to go.
Why you should try VITAMIN C LIPO-SACHETS®
Vitamin C Lipo-Sachets® use patented technology to deliver a high dose of new generation liposomal vitamin C, proven to deliver 80% higher absorption than standard vitamin C1. Suitable for vegans and with no artificial flavours, colours, alcohol, added sugars2 or gluten, the single dose sachets make taking vitamin C daily easy and convenient.
Make sure your immune system is fighting fit this winter and beyond, by taking control of your vitamin C intake.
Reference: 1 Based on a clinical study comparing 10g Vitamin C Lipo-Sachets to 10g standard vitamin C. Maciej Lukawski (2019). 2. Contains naturally occurring sugars. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist consult your healthcare professional. Vitamins are supplementary to, and not a replacement for, a balanced diet. AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Auckland. TAPS PP7732
This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Vitamin C Lipo-Sachets.