Here’s an interesting fact for you that I received from a website” Beyond Organic Doctors”
Humans are the one of the few mammals that don’t make their own vitamin C.
Interesting, right?
Vitamin C is so important that literally every other mammal has the ability to create its own.
More than just a boost to the immune system, it plays a critical role in many of the body’s functions and is a powerful antioxidant. It also aids in tissue regeneration, the absorption of iron, production of collagen and so much more.
Since we have to depend on outside sources to supply vitamin C, it’s very easy (and very common) to be deficient.
And an unaddressed vitamin C deficiency can lead to a variety of diseases. It could even be fatal. Catching it early on is crucial.
With that said, here are 7 signs you’re deficient in Vitamin C…
1) You get sick more often than most people you know.
Vitamin C keeps your immune system up and running. When you don’t have enough, your immune system weakens and you start catching every little thing that comes your way.
2) You bruise easily (and wonder what you could have run into)
A lack of vitamin C leads to weakened capillaries, so even a minor bump creates a bruise.
3) Your skin is dry or scaly
Vitamin C deficiency is often the culprit behind chronic dry skin and even those annoying small bumps on the back of arms or thighs. This is because vitamin C is so closely linked to collagen.
4) You have brittle hair and nails
In the grand scheme of things, hair isn’t a very important part of the body. That’s why nutrients like vitamin C are sent to more essential areas first, and hair just gets the leftovers – if there are any.
5) Nosebleeds are a regular occurrence
This happens for the same reason bruising does. Inadequate levels of vitamin C equals weakened and fragile blood vessels.
6) Your joints are swollen and/or sore
This critical vitamin plays a key role in fighting inflammation, which as you may know is the cause of conditions like arthritis. One study showed that people low in vitamin C were 3 times more likely to develop arthritis than those who ate a C-rich diet.
7) Cuts or burns seem like they take a long time to heal
Collagen is the tissue that binds a healing wound, and it can’t do so properly without vitamin C. This fact has been known since 1937 when doctors noticed spontaneous breakdown of surgical wounds in patients low in vitamin C.
If you identify with one or more items on this list, there’s a good chance you need more vitamin C in your diet.
Over the last month we gave away over 60 bottles of Vitamin C to patients who did not have any at home.
Yesterday I was looking to buy some more from online stores and there are none available anywhere!
So what is the next best thing?
Most foods that are high in Vitamin C are readily available at the local store/ supermarket right now:
- All the Citrus fruit: Oranges, Mandarins, Lemons, Grapefruit.
- Also Apples, Pears, even a Zucchini has 35mg Vitamin C!
So during your next trip, make sure you load up on fresh fruit and veggies to make sure your system gets the nutrition it needs!
In Health,
Dr. Christian Reichardt
