Sunday 16 September 2007

Does Vitamin D deficiency have a role to play in back pain?

I came across this letter in the BMJ today, its not a new one but I dont know if you have seen it?

It mentions that the management of chronic low back pain is challenging and that the importance of Vitamin D is not widely appreciated. It cites several studies/reports which seem to demonstrate the importance of Vitamin D and that Vitamin D deficiency ought to be considered in patients with low back pain.

Its only a short read just thought you might find it interesting. See what you think...

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/331/7508/109-a

After the summer we had in UK this year I am feeling in need of some sunshine and Vit D!! If you liked this post do consider joining our Facebook Page Sciatica Solutions.




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1 comment:

TedHutchinson said...

The origin of all pain is inflammation and the inflammatory response. The biochemical mediators of inflammation include cytokines, neuropeptides, growth factors and neurotransmitters. Irrespective of the type of pain whether it is acute or chronic pain, peripheral or central pain, nociceptive or neuropathic pain, the underlying origin is inflammation and the inflammatory response.
Humans evolved to expose 100% of skin surface to abundant sunlight. The reason we are the only primates living above latitude 40 is because we can make more Vitamin d with bare skin. The natural, normal level for vit D as much as you could get regularly outside wearing next to nothing.
Because we wear clothes, live in the north, avoiding the sun we all have Vitamin D status about a fifth of the level our bodies evolved to have available.
By raising your Vitamin D status to a level associated with optimal health and the lowest cancer incidence you will ensure all the systems in your body that rely on Vitamin d will be able to function properly. You need to ensure every cell in your body has the anti inflammatory properties of Vitamin d3 available.
You have to consider your fight with pain as a war. Your troops need to be fully armed with all the anti inflammatory resources possible.
So as well as beefing up your Vitamin D status with 4000iu/daily Vitamin D3 you also need 4g of omega 3, it would help if you also switched to drinking green tea (another effective anti-inflammatory) and perhaps boosted your magnesium intake a little.The more natural anti inflammatory weapons you have available the better your body will fight on your behalf.
Using 5000iu/daily/Vit D3 takes around 60-90 days to raised status to optimal and it will take even longer to replenish the Vit d in every cell in your body so don't expect quick results.