How Does Vitamin C Help Improve Your Skin And Hair?

Vitamin C helps fight off the signs of aging because of its vital role in the body’s natural collagen synthesis. It helps to heal damaged skin and, in some cases, reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Adequate vitamin C intake can also help repair and prevent dry skin.

https://www.healthline.com/health/4-best-vitamins-for-skin

Vitamin C is found at high levels in the epidermis (outer layer of skin) as well as the dermis (inner layer of skin). Its cancer-fighting (antioxidant) properties and its role in collagen production help keep your skin healthy. This is why vitamin C is one of the key ingredients found in many antiaging skincare products.

Taking vitamin C orally can enhance the effectiveness of sunscreens applied to your skin for protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. It does this by decreasing cell damage and helping the healing process of bodily wounds. Vitamin C can also help fend off the signs of aging because of its vital role in the body’s natural collagen synthesis. It helps to heal damaged skin and, in some cases, reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Adequate vitamin C intake can also help repair and prevent dry skin.

Due to the prevalence of vitamin C in over-the-counter products, dietary supplements, and foods we eat, deficiency of this nutrient is rare. The recommendation is 1,000 mg per day. If you find that you don’t get enough vitamin C in your diet, you can:

eat for more citrus foods, such as oranges
eat other plant-based sources of vitamin C, such as strawberries, broccoli, and spinach
drink orange juice
take supplements, as recommended by a doctor
look for antiaging skin treatments with vitamin C for treating dryness, redness, wrinkles, and age spots

Adding, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against the oxidative stress caused by free radicals. In addition, your body needs vitamin C to create a protein known as collagen — an important part of the hair structure. Vitamin C also helps your body absorb iron, a mineral necessary for hair growth.

3 Ways Having a Vitamin C Deficiency Can Affect Your Slay - Living Healthy

Symptoms of a Vitamin C Deficiency-

Vitamin C must be consumed regularly to prevent deficiency. Symptoms of a Vitamin C deficiency.

Rough, Bumpy Skin– A Vitamin C deficiency can cause the formation of small acne-like bumps on the arms, thighs, or buttocks. However, these bumps alone are not enough to diagnose a defect.

Corkscrew-Shaped Body Hair bent, coiled or corkscrew-shaped body hairs are a hallmark sign of Vitamin C deficiency, but they may be difficult to detect, as these hairs are more likely to fall out.

Bright Red Hair Follicles– follicles contain many tiny blood vessels that can rupture due to a Vitamin C deficiency, causing bright red spots to appear around the follicles.

Spoon-Shaped Fingernails with Red Spots or Lines– Vitamin C deficiency is associated with spoon-shaped fingernails and red lines or spots underneath the nail bed.

Dry, Damaged Skin– Low intakes of Vitamin C are associated with dry, sun-damaged skin, but other factors can also cause these symptoms.

Easy Bruising– Vitamin C deficiency weakens blood vessels, causing easy bruising. It’s often one of the first apparent signs of vitamin C deficiency.

Slowly Healing Wounds– Vitamin C deficiency interferes with tissue formation, causing wounds to heal more slowly. This is considered an advanced warning of a deficiency, so other signs and symptoms would be appearing first-

Painful Swollen Joints. Vitamin C deficiency often causes severe joint pain. In extreme cases, bleeding can occur within the joints. They are causing painful swelling.

Weak Bones– Vitamin C is essential for bone formation, and deficiency can increase the risk of developing weak and brittle bones.

Bleeding Gums and Tooth Loss– Red, bleeding gums are a common sign of Vitamin C deficiency, and severe shortage can even lead to tooth loss.

Low Immunity– Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for the immune system. Low Vitamin C levels are linked to an increased risk of infection, while a severe deficiency can cause death from infectious diseases.

Persistent Iron Deficiency Anemia– Vitamin C deficiency may increase the risk of iron deficiency anemia by reducing iron absorption and increasing the likelihood of bleeding.

Fatigue and Poor Mood– Signs of fatigue and low mood can appear even with low-to-normal levels of Vitamin C, but they quickly turn around with adequate Vitamin C intake.

Overall, since humans cannot make Vitamin C or store it in large amounts, it must be consumed regularly to prevent deficiency, ideally through fresh fruits and vegetables.

As mention, there are many signs and symptoms of a deficiency, most of which are related to impairments in Collagen production, which has a powerful effect on anti-aging skin, elasticity, and hair. Also, not consuming enough antioxidants has a negative impact. Adding, inflammation, iron-deficiency anemia, and other signs to watch for, unexplained weight gain.

Thankfully, vitamin C deficiency symptoms can be restored to normal levels.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-c-deficiency-symptoms#section17

Written by Erica Julson, MS, RDN, CLT on May 25, 2018