GSE
Low level scurvy - Symptoms / health effects of Vitamin C Deficiency
Symptoms and health effects of Vitamin
C deficiency
Most humans suffer from chronic subacute scurvy
- Dr. Linus Pauling and his research partner Dr. Mattias Rath determined that CVD
is a symptom of a chronic ascorbate deficiency.This author surmises that many other
symptoms, including bleeding gums, random nosebleeds, slow healing wounds (E.g.
indiabetics), hemorrhages in disease such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis , are
also consequences of a low-grade C deficiency, enough to cause weakened connective
tissue, but not full-blown scurvy.
People today are generally consuming enough
vitamin C to prevent full-blown scurvy,
but intake is not optimal to prevent a multitude of health problems:
What happens to the body with insufficient C?
Connective tissue degenerates
- E.g. leads to atherosclerosis in CVD
Capillary walls weaken/hemorrhage
Poor wound healing
Bone lesions develop
Teeth loosen/fall out
May increase gallstone
formation
Liver function impaired
Signs of
Vitamin C Deficency
Tendency to bruise easily
Visible broken capillaries
Symptoms of low level scurvy
i.e. an ongoing C deficiency
Weakness /Lethargy/Fatigue
Irritability/Reduced capability
to tolerate stress
Weight loss
Digestive disorders
Bleeding/painful gums
Gingivitis
Shortness of breath
Aching muscles/bones/ joints
in arms and legs
Dry/rough skin (maybe
pigmented)
People with a tendency for low tissue levels
of vitamin C
Pelletier O., Vitamin C status of smokers and non-smokers.
Am. J.Clin. Nutr., 1970, 23, 520-4
Burr ML et al, Plasma and leucocyte ascorbic acid levels
in the elderly. Am. J.Clin. Nutr., 1974, 27, 144-51
People under stressful conditions
Those with liver disease
-worsened by toxic effects of treatment medications
High blood copper levels
-depletes body's C; copper water pipes
are a source of copper
Those with high blood pressure,
gallbladder disease, stroke, some cancers,atherosclerosis and PAD
Langlois M et al, Serum vitamin C concentration is low in
peripheral arterial disease and is associated with inflammation and severity of
atherosclerosis. Circulation . 2001;103(14):1863-1868
Testing for vitamin C Presence in Tissues
The usual test is to measure C in blood plasma - which more accurately informs about
C 's presence in the recent diet, not in the
body. A better indicator is the concentration of ascorbic acid (AA) in the white
blood cells, which parallels tissue concentration. Scurvy is diagnosed when
C concentration is 2 mg/L in the white blood
platelet layer. An even better method is a saturation test. Without access to these
tests, look for signs and symptoms of C deficiency.
Health problems associated with Vitamin C deficiency
Adrenal Insufficiency
Fatigue
Osteoarthritis
Alcoholism
Gallbladder disease
Parkinson's disease
Allergies
Gingivitis
Periodontal disease
Any tissue-related malady
Glaucoma
Peptic ulcers
Asthma
Hepatitis
Peripheral vascular disease
Atherosclerosis
Herpes simplex
Preeclampsia
Auto-immune disorders
Herpes zoster
Menopause
Cancer
High blood pressure
Mitral valve prolapse
Candidiasis
Hives
Multiple sclerosis
Capillary fragility
Infections
Osteoarthritis
Cataracts
Infertility
Parkinson's disease
Cervical dysplasia
Inflammatory disorders
Radiation exposure
Crohn's disease
Eczema
Rheumatoid arthritis
Common Cold
Macular degeneration
Risk of death (all causes)
Coronary Heart Disease
Menopause
Skin ulcers
Depression
Mental Illness
Skin sun damage
Diabetes
Mitral valve prolapse
Sports injuries
Disk Herniation
Multiple sclerosis
Wound healing
Eczema
