Researchers at the Performance Spine and Sports Medicine located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, currently are involved in clinical trials investigating using vitamin D to help patients rehabilitating from muscoskeletal or orthopaedic injuries. These include painful acute and chronic conditions affecting the spine, extremities, joints, muscle/tendon and ligaments. Researchers are excited about the effectiveness, safety profile, and additional “side benefits” to immune system, cardiovascular system, lipid and blood sugar metabolism, that vitamin D supplementation provides. There is evidence linking higher levels of vitamin D to decreased incidence of certain forms of cancer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
An analysis of 22 clinical studies of patients with varied chronic pain and fatigue syndromes found almost all of these patients lacked vitamin D. Stewart B. Leavitt, editor of the journal Pain Treatment Topics: When sufficient vitamin D supplementation was provided, the aches, pains, weakness and related problems in most of the patients either vanished or were at least helped to a significant extent.
The peer-reviewed report by a panel of eight experts also said:
- A majority of people in many parts of the world 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- The currently recommended dose of vitamin D — up to 600 IU per day — is outdated and too low. Most children and adults need at least 1000 IU per day, and people with chronic musculoskeletal pain would benefit from 2000 IU or more per day of supplemental vitamin D3, also called cholecalciferol.
- Vitamin D supplements interact with 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.The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
