Aches? Pains? [and/or other maladies] Vitamin D May Provide Relief

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Aches? Pains? Vitamin D May Provide Relief

Friday, June 20, 2008 10:15 AM

http://www.newsmax.com/health/aches_pains_vitamin_D/2008/06/20/106220.html

Pain is the most common complaint leading patients to seek medical care

and much of it is chronic, lasting three months or longer. According to an

extensive review of clinical research in a new report from Pain Treatment

Topics, inadequate vitamin D intake has been linked to a long list of chronic

painful maladies, including bone and joint pain of various types, muscle pain,

fibromyalgia syndrome, rheumatic disorders, osteoarthritis, and other

complaints. Lack of vitamin D also has been implicated in the mood disturbances

of chronic fatigue syndrome and seasonal affective disorder.

According to B. Leavitt, MA, PhD, editor of Pain Treatment Topics

and author of the report, " our examination of the research, including 22

clinical investigations of patients with various chronic pain and fatigue

syndromes, found that these persons almost always had inadequate levels of

vitamin D. When sufficient vitamin D supplementation was provided, the aches,

pains, weakness, and related problems in most of them either vanished or were at

least helped to a significant extent. "

The report, " Vitamin D - A Neglected 'Analgesic' for Chronic

Musculoskeletal Pain, " was peer-reviewed by a panel of 8 experts and includes

the following important points:

>> Vitamin D is a complex nutrient that functions as a hormone to benefit

numerous body tissues and organs, including bones, muscles, and nerves.

>> A surprising majority of persons in many parts of the world, including

the United States, do not get adequate vitamin D from sun exposure or foods. Why

such deficiencies are associated with pain in some persons but not others is not

always known.

>> The currently recommended adequate intake of vitamin D - up to 600 IU

per day - is outdated and too low. According to the research, most children and

adults need at least 1000 IU per day, and persons with chronic musculoskeletal

pain would benefit from 2000 IU [i would say at least 6000 IU. One half hour of

full body summer sun will produce at least 10,000 IUs in white people] or more

per day of supplemental vitamin D3 (also called cholecalciferol).

>> Vitamin D supplements have a highly favorable safety profile. They

interact with very few drugs or other agents, and are usually not harmful unless

extremely high doses - such as, 50,000 IU or more - are taken daily for an

extended period of time.

>> Vitamin D supplements are easy for patients to self-administer, are

well tolerated, and typically cost as little as 7 to 10 cents per day.

Besides the comprehensive *Research Report (50-pages, 170 references),

there is available a shorter *Practitioner Briefing (7-pages) that summarizes

the report and provides guidance for healthcare providers. Additionally, a

special *Patient Brochure (6-pages) explains what vitamin D is, how it works,

and how it may help in relieving pain.

*All 3 documents are available for free access at:

http://Pain-Topics.org/VitaminD

In conclusion, Leavitt stresses that vitamin D should not be viewed as a

cure for all pain conditions and in all patients. It also is not necessarily a

replacement for other pain treatments. " While further research would be

helpful, " he says, " current best evidence indicates that recommending

supplemental vitamin D for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and

fatigue disorders would do no harm and could do much good at little cost. It

should be considered by healthcare providers for their patients early in the

course of pain management. "