What it means
A vitaminVY-tuh-minA substance the body needs in small amounts for normal growth and function, mostly from food.Full entry the body cannot make or store well, so it must come from food every day. Citrus fruits, berries, peppers, tomatoes and broccoli are good sources. It helps build collagenKOL-uh-jenThe main structural protein of the body, which gives strength to skin, bones, tendons, ligaments and scar tissue.coll/a glue-gen producingFull entry , heal wounds, keep gums and blood vessels healthy, and absorb iron from plant foods. A long lack of it causes scurvy, with bleeding gums, easy bruising and poor wound healing.
For the nurse
Taking a vitamin C source with iron-rich foods or iron pills helps the body absorb the iron. Large doses can cause diarrhea and, in some people, kidney stones.
At a glance
| Spanish | vitamina C |
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Related terms
vitamin
A substance the body needs in small amounts for normal growth and function, mostly from food.
collagen
The main structural protein of the body, which gives strength to skin, bones, tendons, ligaments and scar tissue.
vitamin A
A fat-soluble vitamin needed for vision, especially in dim light, healthy skin and a working immune system.