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When you think about vitamin C, chances are good that think of tall, freezing cold glasses of orange juice. While that is certainly tasty, vitamin C is found in many different foods, and it’s a lucky thing. Vitamin C is essential for our bodies to function, and falling short of getting what we need can have some very dire consequences. Take some time and really consider whether you get enough vitamin C in your diet and what hints your body might be giving you that you do not.

To begin with, think about where you get vitamin C from. Oranges, and in fact all citrus fruit, has a high vitamin C content, but almost any fresh fruit or vegetable will have a detectable amount of this vitamin in it. As an example, some other fruits and vegetables that contain a high concentration of vitamin C include guava, spinach, persimmons, Brussels sprouts, mangoes and melons. Even though animal products will give you considerably less vitamin C per the amount of food consumed, vitamin C can also be found in animal liver. If you have concerns that you are not getting enough, a multivitamin or a supplement can help offset an inadequate diet.

Have you ever felt a cold or flu coming on and managed to resist it by drinking large amounts of juices containing vitamin C? This vitamin can play an important part in making your immune system rally, and when you take it early enough and often enough, you can drastically shorten your time ill. Vitamin C is an important resource for your body, and the results of not getting enough can be very noticeable. For instance, you may find yourself feeling sick, weak or irritable nearly all the time. You may very well be prone to illness and infections. When babies do not get enough vitamin C, their growth is going to be impaired.

If you continue to let a vitamin C deficiency get out of hand, severe complications like scurvy can develop. Extreme symptoms may include bleeding under the skin, the massive development of bruises, and the loosening of your teeth. Anemia can develop from this condition, and you will find yourself more and more prone to illness and fatigue.

When you are trying to be certain that you are getting enough vitamin C in your diet, keep in mind that the recommended daily amount for women is about 75 mg a day, with 90 mg as the approved amount for men. Pregnant women should plan to add another 10 mg in addition to that, and women who are breastfeeding should add on another 45 mg. If you are a smoker, your minimum should be at least 100 mg of vitamin C per day.

Take some time to make sure that you are getting the right amount of vitamin C in your body. This is something that many people find that they need to think about, and if you have noticed any of the symptoms above, you’ll find that infusing your body with the positive effects of vitamin C can have some truly impressive results.