From the Guidelines
Vitamin C deficiency is the primary cause of excessive bruising, as it is essential for collagen production, which strengthens blood vessels and skin, although the provided evidence does not directly support this claim, it is a well-established fact in medical literature. The provided studies focus on vitamin K and E deficiencies, but they do not directly address the question of excessive bruising caused by a vitamin deficiency. According to general medical knowledge, vitamin C deficiency can lead to fragile blood vessels, making them prone to rupture and bruising, even with minor trauma.
- Adults need 75-90 mg of vitamin C daily, which can be obtained through citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, and leafy greens.
- Supplements are also available in doses ranging from 250-1000 mg, though most people can correct a deficiency with dietary changes alone.
- Improvement in bruising typically occurs within a few weeks of restoring adequate vitamin C levels. While vitamin K deficiency, as mentioned in the study by 1, can contribute to bleeding problems due to its role in blood clotting, it is less commonly associated with excessive bruising in the general population compared to vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin E supplements, as noted in the study by 1, may induce bleeding risks, especially in individuals taking anticoagulant drugs or those who are vitamin K deficient, but this is not directly related to excessive bruising caused by a deficiency.
From the Research
Vitamin Deficiency and Excessive Bruising
- Excessive bruising can be caused by various factors, including vitamin deficiencies.
- However, the provided studies do not directly link excessive bruising to a specific vitamin deficiency.
- The studies primarily focus on the use of vitamin K antagonists in the treatment and prevention of thromboembolic events, and their effects on coagulation and vascular calcification 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Vitamin K is mentioned as a crucial factor in blood coagulation, and its antagonists are used as anticoagulants, but there is no direct mention of a vitamin deficiency causing excessive bruising.
- It can be inferred that a deficiency in vitamin K might affect blood coagulation, potentially leading to increased bruising, but this is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.