Vitamin C deficiency (Scurvy)
Linked to Vitamin C
Severe vitamin C shortage breaks down collagen, causing bleeding gums and poor healing.
Where it shows on the body
Rotate the figure and click a red marker to see the affected area. Internal organs open a 3D organ model.
Causes
- Very low intake of fruit and vegetables
- Smoking
- Restrictive diets
- Alcohol dependence
Symptoms
- Bleeding, swollen gums
- Easy bruising
- Slow wound healing
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Corkscrew hairs
What happens if untreated
- Loosening teeth
- Severe bleeding
- Anaemia
- Can be fatal if untreated
Who is most at risk
- People with very limited diets
- Smokers
- Older adults living alone
Prevention & sources
- Regular fruit and vegetables
- Vitamin C supplements if needed
Correcting it: foods, amounts & timing
Foods that help & safe amounts
- Citrus fruit, kiwi, berries, peppers and broccoli — 5 portions of fruit and veg a day easily covers needs
- Around 40–90 mg vitamin C daily is enough; treatment doses (e.g. 250–500 mg/day short term) only if advised
Bleeding gums and tiredness often improve within days to 2 weeks; full recovery in a few weeks.
Sources & references
Symptoms overlap — testing matters
Most deficiency symptoms (fatigue, poor concentration, skin and hair changes) are shared across several nutrients and many unrelated conditions. A symptom on this page is a reason to investigate, not a diagnosis.
A GP can confirm or rule out a deficiency with a blood test and check for underlying causes such as absorption problems. Do not start high-dose supplements on suspicion alone — some nutrients are harmful in excess, and supplementing before testing can mask the underlying result.