Vitamin D deficiency is now linked to chronic pain conditions according to Stewart Leavitt, editor of Pain Treatment Topics. He looked at more than 20 clinical investigations of chronic pain and fatigue conditions and found that most everyone had inadequate levels of Vitamin D. Surprisingly, when the participants were given Vitamin D, their aches, pains and weaknesses were helped or relieved.

Our bodies use Vitamin D to benefit bones, muscles and nerves. In children, vitamin D deficiency causes rickets, which results in skeletal deformities.

In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteomalacia, causing muscular weakness in addition to weak bones.

Our bodies will naturally produce Vitamin D with exposure to sunlight. Today, many of us work inside which limits our time outdoors. Vitamin D is found in few foods. Milk and breakfast cereals are usually fortified with it.

Leavitt states that the current recommended daily intake of Vitamin D should be increased from 600 IU per day to at least 1000 IU per day. He also recommends that chronic musculoskeletal pain sufferers would benefit from 2000 IU or more per day of Vitamin D3 (also called cholecalciferol).

Leavitt’s report, “Vitamin D, A Neglected ‘Analgesic’ for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain” concludes that adding Vitamin D Supplements could help with chronic musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorders, and should be considered early in the course of pain management.

Just so you know, Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It’s not considered harmful unless you take it in extremely high doses, such as over 50,000 IU or more a day. It’s inexpensive and easy to take. I think I’d talk with my doctor about including 2000 IU’s of Vitamin D to help with my pain management.