Vitamin C

What is it?

• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a nutrient that the body needs to build blood vessels, cartilage, muscle, and collagen in bones.
• Vitamin C is also vital to the body's healing process.
• Because the body does not produce vitamin C, it needs to get it from the diet.

Foods where we find vitamin C:

• Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, berries, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and spinach.
• Vitamin C is also available as an oral supplement, usually in the form of capsules and chewable tablets. The recommended daily amount of vitamin C is
90 milligrams for adult men and 75 milligrams for adult women.

Vitamin C deficiency is more likely in people who:

• They smoke or are exposed to passive smoking
• Have certain gastrointestinal conditions or certain types of cancer
• They have a limited diet that does not include fruits and vegetables regularly.

Severe vitamin C deficiency can lead to a disease called scurvy, which causes anemia, bleeding gums, bruising, and poor wound healing.