Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for health. It is a powerful antioxidant that keeps the heart healthy and protects us from other chronic diseases, and it is also very good for the skin. When the body runs short of vitamin C, various health problems appear, so it is wise to watch for the signs of deficiency.

• Dry skin: vitamin C plays an important part in the skin's collagen production. A lack of it can leave the skin dry and damaged, dull, lifeless and wrinkled.
• Slow healing of wounds: vitamin C directly affects collagen production, so when the body is short of it, wounds heal very slowly and infections can spread more. This is one of the serious signs of deficiency.
• Bleeding teeth and gums: vitamin C matters for teeth as well as skin. A shortage weakens collagen, leading to swollen and bleeding gums. If the deficiency becomes severe, teeth may even fall out.

• Joint pain: the cartilage in joints is made mainly of collagen, so without enough vitamin C there is less padding around the bones and joints can hurt at the slightest strain. Inflammation and swelling around joints and bones can also occur.
• Weak immunity: vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and helps strengthen the immune system. When it is lacking, immunity weakens and the risk of frequent illness rises.
• Weight gain: a lack of vitamin C is sometimes behind sudden weight gain, with fat building up especially around the stomach.
• Constant tiredness: feeling tired all the time is one of the main signs of deficiency. It brings weakness and may also cause anaemia, along with reluctance to work, lethargy and irritability.

Source: Samakal. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.