Utilizing dietary approaches to help with
fibromyalgia (FM) management has been our main topic these past two issues and
serves as GREAT background information for this month’s topic: Vitamin D
and its role in the management of pain associated with FM. Let’s take a look!
Vitamin D is found in foods such as
fish, eggs, fortified milk, cod liver oil, and more. The sun also helps the
body produce vitamin D with as little as 10 minutes of exposure reported to be
enough to prevent deficiency. There are several different forms of vitamin D,
of which two are important in humans: vitamin D2 (made by plants), and D3 (made
by human skin exposed to sunlight). Foods may be fortified with either type,
and supplements are available in both forms (D3 is preferred). The main role of
vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Calcium
and vitamin D are often taken together to improve bone health and reduce
fractures. Research has also shown that vitamin D may protect against
osteoporosis, high blood pressure, cancer, and other diseases. “Classic”
vitamin D deficiency diseases include bone softening conditions such as rickets
(in children) and osteomalacia (in adults). People at high risk include the
elderly, individuals who are obese, and those with limited sun exposure.
Individuals with conditions such as cystic fibrosis (mucous build-up in the
lungs) or inflammatory bowel disease are also at risk for vitamin D deficiency.
With
that background information, can vitamin D help FM patients with chronic
pain?
In a February 2014 study (journal:
Pain 2014, Feb 01;155(2)261-268), the first known randomized,
placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 30 FM women with serum D3 levels
below 32ng/mol/L (80nmol/L). Half were assigned to either vitamin D replacement
or a control group that received a placebo (NOT vitamin D). The two groups were
re-evaluated again after 24 weeks. The main hypothesis was that those treated
with vitamin D3 would have less pain (as measured on a 0-100 pain scale and
several additional questionnaires). The study found that there was a marked
reduction in pain perception in the FM women treated with D3. Though a
larger scale study was recommended to solidify these findings, the authors
conclude, “This economical therapy with a low side effect profile may well be
considered in patients with FMS.” This study is important, as dosing of
vitamin D3 (preferred over D2 commonly prescribed) was based on deficiency
levels and provided at 1200 to 2400 IU/day. By the end of three months, those
receiving D3 improved from an average of 20 ng/ml to almost 50 ng/ml and
reported a 20 point decrease in pain on a 0-100 scale. Further, about 20-25
weeks after discontinuing D3, their levels dropped back to ~26 ng/ml with a
corresponding increase in pain levels (by 30%).
WebMD reports similar chronic pain
benefits with D3 replacement. In 2003, they reported that D3 deficiency is high
“among all U.S.
If you, a friend or family member
requires care for Fibromyalgia, we sincerely appreciate the trust and
confidence shown by choosing our services!
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