Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient for the body. When vitamin C is deficient, it not only affects some body functions but also has negative manifestations on the skin. So what are the signs of vitamin C deficiency on the skin and how should it be supplemented?
Rough skin due to lack of vitamin C
Vitamin C is an important component in the synthesis and production of collagen. Moreover, vitamin C also helps absorb and bind collagen fibers together more firmly. Collagen is a protein found in connective tissues such as hair, skin, joints, bones and blood vessels. Therefore, vitamin C is an indirect micronutrient that helps smooth the skin and prevent aging.
When the level of vitamin C in the body is lower than normal, in addition to causing dry and chapped skin, nails and hair are prone to dryness and brittleness, it also causes keratosis pilaris to develop. When keratosis pilaris occurs, the skin becomes rough due to the accumulation of keratin inside the pores.
Vitamins play an important role in the body.
Keratosis pilaris is related to the hair growth process. The hairs can be blocked and difficult to grow, leading to folliculitis. Or the shape of the hair grows in a curved or curled form.
Taking vitamin C supplements can treat this symptom within two weeks.
Keratosis pilaris, folliculitis… caused by vitamin C deficiency is a gradual process, after several months the body is continuously not supplemented with enough vitamin C. But these situations also have many other causes, so if you experience this condition, you should see a dermatologist to find out the cause and treat it. If it is due to vitamin C deficiency, you only need to supplement enough for a period of 2 weeks to 1 month for this condition to go away.
Dry, wrinkled and vulnerable skin due to lack of vitamin C
Vitamin C – an antioxidant, helps keep skin healthy by protecting it from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays, environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke, dust, etc. Vitamin C promotes collagen production, thereby keeping the skin plump and youthful.
When the body lacks vitamin C, it can increase the condition of dry and wrinkled skin in both normal people and people with existing skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis…
In addition to promoting collagen production to help regenerate and repair skin damage better, vitamin C also helps neutrophils function well. Moreover, it also helps blood vessels to be healthy and the blood clotting process to be better. Therefore, when the body lacks vitamin C, not only are skin wounds slow to heal, but other symptoms such as easy bruising, easy bleeding, blood clotting are more difficult…
Brittle, brittle nails
Vitamin C plays an important role in the body’s absorption of iron. In addition, collagen is a very important protein in the composition of fingernails and toenails. Therefore, a lack of vitamin C causes the body to be anemic due to iron deficiency and the collagen synthesis process is limited, leading to slower nail growth than usual.
Fingernails and toenails that lack vitamin C will be spoon-shaped, concave on the nail surface. Nails are often thin, brittle and break easily.
How to supplement vitamin C every day
Vitamin C is a very important micronutrient but the body cannot produce it itself. Moreover, as a water-soluble vitamin, it is easily excreted through urine. Therefore, vitamin C supplementation must be through daily food.
Vitamin C is mainly absorbed by the body in the small intestine, about 90mg for men and 75mg for women.
For people who regularly smoke, it is recommended to increase by 35mg per day. Because smoking reduces the body’s absorption of vitamin C.
For pregnant women, the need for vitamin C is also higher than the recommended level above. The older people are, the greater their need for vitamin C.
Supplementing with adequate vitamin C helps brighten and smooth skin.
The best way to supplement vitamin C is through food. Therefore, in the daily diet, it is necessary to increase foods rich in vitamin C in meals. There are many groups of vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C such as: Asparagus, broccoli, tomatoes , celery, pineapple, apples , guava , oranges, tangerines, grapefruits…
Vitamin C is also found in functional foods, medicines in the form of tablets, capsules, effervescent tablets, liquids… However, it should only be supplemented in this form when the body has problems absorbing vitamin C or the diet cannot provide enough.
Although it is quickly excreted through excretion, if the body takes in too much vitamin C for a period of time, it will also have negative effects on the body such as increasing the risk of stomach pain, diarrhea, kidney stones… Therefore, functional foods and medicines should not be abused to provide vitamin C.
