What is the most notable symptom of vitamin C deficiency?

Vitamin C deficiency, also known as scurvy, most notably presents with symptoms related to connective tissue integrity and wound healing, primarily causing gum swelling and loose teeth. Vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis, which is integral to the health and stability of gums and teeth. When vitamin C is deficient, the body's ability to maintain and repair these tissues is compromised, leading to symptoms such as gum inflammation, bleeding gums, and eventually loose teeth due to the weakening of the structures supporting them.

Other symptoms of vitamin C deficiency can include weakness and fatigue, which may initially seem prominent; however, these are more general symptoms and are not as distinctive as the oral manifestations. Brittle hair and nails and muscle cramps are not primary indicators of vitamin C deficiency. The oral symptoms, particularly loose teeth and gum swelling, serve as key clinical signs that distinguish scurvy from other nutrient deficiencies or health conditions. Thus, the highlighted symptoms effectively encapsulate the hallmark signs of vitamin C deficiency.