Description

Vitamin C is known to be a powerful antioxidant (1). Studies have suggested that it can increase endothelial nitric oxide by protecting it from oxidation and increasing synthesis, another function that Vitamin C has suggested includes reducing blood pressure (2), however the only proven function of vitamin C is the prevention of scurvy (3). 

Deficiencies

One of the most well known deficiencies of vitamin C is scurvy, which can host a multitude of complications. Becoming deficient in vitamin C can include bruising and bleeding easily, particularly in the gums, higher chance of chronic fatigue as well as increased susceptibility of anxiety/depression. Slow wounding can also occur as well as an increased susceptibility to infections, which you may not be able to fight off as quickly.  

The recommended daily amount for Vitamin C is 65-90 milligrams per day

1 – Kalt, W., Forney, C. F., Martin, A., & Prior, R. L. (1999). Antioxidant capacity, vitamin C, phenolics, and anthocyanins after fresh storage of small fruits.Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 47(11), 4638-4644.

2 – Huang, A., Vita, J. A., Venema, R. C., & Keaney, J. F. (2000). Ascorbic acid enhances endothelial nitric-oxide synthase activity by increasing intracellular tetrahydrobiopterin. Journal of biological chemistry, 275(23), 17399-17406.

3 – Padayatty, S. J., Katz, A., Wang, Y., Eck, P., Kwon, O., Lee, J. H., … & Levine, M. (2003). Vitamin C as an antioxidant: evaluation of its role in disease prevention. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 22(1), 18-35.