Vitamin D is the popular ‘’sunshine’’ vitamin. It is a crucial fat-soluble nutrient that our body needs to function properly. It helps cell growth, boosts immune functions, and keeps the bones strong and healthy.
The primary source of vitamin D is the sun, but there are some dietary supplements that people can take if they lack this important nutrient. If a person doesn’t have the necessary amount of Vitamin D, it could lead to Vitamin D deficiency.
Insufficient vitamin D levels can weaken the bones and make them brittle, thin, or even misshapen. Furthermore, it can cause some health problems like:
- Heart disease,
- Low bone density,
- Osteoarthritis,
- Rickets in children,
- Bone softening.
The Link Between Pain and Depression
According to a study from Loyola University in Chicago, a sufficient amount of vitamin D-2 supplement might be able to reduce depression in women with high blood pressure. Also, it can reduce sensory and neuropathic pain.
In this study, researchers tried to examine the effects of Vitamin D on depression as well. As a result, women with depression and diabetes consumed a specific dose of vitamin D-2 on a weekly basis. In fact, they took 50,000 IUs of vitamin D-2 for 24 weeks.
The researchers concluded that there was a significant improvement in the condition of women. However, the tingling and numbness in the legs, fingers, and hands took six months to improve.
‘Pain and depression are a common and a serious issue for those with diabetes’ – says Todd Doyle, the lead author of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences.
While more research is necessary, it seems that vitamin D-2 supplement is a promising treatment for depression and pain for women with this chronic condition.
Further Trials and Studies
A different study published in 2014, stated that 71% of patients had vitamin D deficiency while only 21% has insufficiency. The insufficient amount of this vitamin increased pain sensitivity and caused impaired pain processing.
In other words, vitamin D deficiency can significantly affect pain receptors and increase pain sensitivity. However, it will not cause pain to the skin. These results explain why the lack of this vitamin causes chronic muscle pain.
Moreover, a press release stated that the Loyola researchers received funding from the National Institute of Nursing Research to conduct more trials. As a result, they issued a separate trial to study the effects of the different doses of vitamin D-3 supplements.
The goal was to see if this supplement might help women with this disease to improve their overall health. The co-author and professor at Loyola University, Sue Penckofer, said that vitamin D is immensely popular due to its benefits. But, it can also prove useful for chronic diseases like diabetes type 2.
Furthermore, this study can help shed some light on understanding the role vitamin D has in managing health in women with high blood pressure.
How to Turn Life Around
Many recommend taking vitamin D supplements. These supplements can be found in almost any corner store. However, the supplement that contains a high dosage of vitamin D ( 50,000 units) can only be purchased with a prescription.
Therefore, it is crucial not to consume an excessive amount of this vitamin. But, a prescription for 50,000 units of this vitamin can be a great way to turn our life around. However, we should consider this option only if our vitamin level is too low.
Of course, to know if we have vitamin D deficiency, we should contact our doctor and ask for advice. In the meantime, we can always eat some vitamin D-rich foods like:
- Tuna,
- Sardines,
- Salmon,
- Eggs,
- Mackerel,
- Raw Milk,
- Mushrooms.
