Vitamin D a new Pain Killer

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Vitamin D—A New Pain Killer?

By Beauchamp, ND

Women who get the right amount of vitamin D are less likely to suffer

from chronic widespread pain,

according to a new study in the ls of Rheumatic Diseases.

Vitamin D is a hormone that is intimately involved with bone and

immune system health. In addition

to promoting normal bone development, there is evidence that getting

enough vitamin D helps

protect against multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and certain

cancers. Studies have found that

many people suffering from chronic pain have low vitamin D levels and

that supplementing may help

relieve certain types of pain.

The sunshine vitamin's role in pain prevention

About 10% of the population suffers from chronic widespread pain,

which is pain that occurs on both

sides of the body, above and below the waist, and lasts for longer

than three months. This is the

type of pain that characterizes fibromyalgia syndrome, but it can

also occur without Fibromyalgia.

The new study aimed to determine the range of vitamin D levels at

which people were more likely to

experience chronic pain. Almost 7,000 people gave information about

bodily pain and had their

vitamin D levels measured.

The researchers found that vitamin D status was associated with

chronic widespread pain in women

but not in men. Chronic pain was least likely to occur in women with

the highest vitamin D levels.

Women with lower levels were more than 1.5 times as likely to have

chronic pain as were women

with the highest levels.

" Follow-up studies are needed to evaluate whether higher vitamin D

intake might have beneficial

effects on chronic widespread pain risk, " the authors concluded.

Get your daily D

Because of its potential role in predicting chronic widespread pain,

and its central function in bone

and immune health, it is important to ensure adequate vitamin D

intake.

People living in northern latitudes should aim to get some sun

exposure all year round. During the

hotter months, expose the hands, arms, and face to the sun for 15

minutes, three times per week.

During the cooler months, allow any exposed parts full access to the

sun—without any sun block.

Good food sources of vitamin D include egg yolks, fortified foods,

and oily fish such as salmon and

herring. Some brands of cod liver oil provide 400 IU of vitamin D per

teaspoon. For most people,

1,000 IU of vitamin D per day is a safe amount. Check with your

doctor to see how much vitamin D

is right for you. ©

Source: http://www.medfinds.com