Vitamin C
by Megan Arimanda
Role in the Human Body
Vitamin is needed for the growth and repair of tissues in your body. It forms an important protein used to make skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. It also helps heal wounds and form scar tissue. Vitamin C also helps repair and maintain cartilage, bones, and teeth.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which block some of the damage from free radicals, which are from smoke, radiation, and when your body breaks down food.
Consequences of Insufficient Levels
Signs and symptoms of deficiency include anemia, bleeding gums, decreased ability to fight infection and wound healing rate, dry/splitting hair, easier bruising, gingivitis, nosebleeds, rough/dry/scaly skin, swollen and painful joints, weakened tooth enamel, and possible weight gain from slowed metabolism. Severe form of vitamin C deficiency is known as scurvy.
What foods is it found in?
All fruits and vegetables have some amount of vitamin C.
Cantaloupe, citrus fruits, kiwi, mango papaya, pineapple, berries, watermelon, broccoli, potatoes, cauliflower, peppers, leafy greens, tomatoes, and winter squash have the highest amounts of vitamin C.
Bibliography
"Vitamin C: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002404.htm>.