Vitamin D is essential for absorption of calcium from our gut and the serum calcium- phosphate balance which are important factors for our bone health. Low levels of vitamin D can lead into brittle bones, balance issues and falls, aging issue, brain problem, predisposition to type 1 Diabetes disease and many other issues including chronic pain. There have been so many reports of the link between lower vitamin D levels and chronic muscles and bones pain that in many clinical practices it is recommended to check vitamin D in all chronic pain patients. Un-diagnosed or delayed diagnosed vitamin D deficiency can lead into prolonged suffering for these patients. Multiple researches have proven these conclusions. Vitamin D can be made by our body when exposed to sun ultraviolet rays or be found in our foods from different sources (see the picture above).
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and gets absorbed better after food. Our liver and kidney’s turn vitamin D to D3 which is the form that our cells can use for their needs. It is hard to get vitamin D3 toxicity so supplementation of Vitamin D3 1000 units per day is proven to be safe and beneficial in long term. Vitamin D deficiency is a condition that needs to be treated by prescription forms of Vitamin D through your doctor and will not be solved by taking the over the counter formulations. Discuss Vitamin D evaluation with your doctor if you have chronic pain.