Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant, essential for the formation of collagen (skin, blood vessels, gums), immunity and the absorption of iron from plants. The body does not store it, so it needs it regularly from food.
| Rating | Range |
|---|---|
| Talk to a doctor | below 10 µmol/L |
| Worth improving | 10 – 50 µmol/L |
| Good | 50 µmol/L and above |
Why it matters
EFSA: deficiency with a poor diet.
If it’s low
Low vitamin C can cause fatigue, bleeding gums, poorer healing; extreme deficiency is scurvy.
If it’s high
High vitamin C from food is not harmful; the excess is excreted. Very high supplements can, in those predisposed, raise the risk of kidney stones.
What to do
For maintenance, regular fruit and vegetables are enough (citrus, peppers, berries). With low iron, eat it together with iron for better absorption.
When to see a doctor
Bleeding gums, poor healing (possible deficiency)
Read together with
Ferritin · Hemoglobin
This content is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your doctor about your results.
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