Vitamin D is one of the most common controversial topics among the scientific community, mainly because many studies about its health effects have been so contradictory.
While vitamin D is important for many-body systems, including bones and the brain, recent studies that have tested these assumptions haven’t been reassuring.
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A study, published on the website of the National Library of Medicine, examined the association between vitamin D levels and back pain in more than 9,000 older women that showed the vitamin d deficiency along with obesity could result in back pain.
As Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium, its deficiency may lead to chronic lower back pain due to inadequate vitamin d levels in the blood.
The researchers found that those with a deficiency were more likely to have back pain, including severe back pain that limited their daily activities.
The study suggested vitamin D supplementation may improve back pain disability in vitamin D deficient and overweight or obese adults.
The study found a ‘significantly’ greater reduction in back pain disability scores in the vitamin D group compared with the placebo group.
Commenting on their findings, the study authors wrote: “Although treating severe vitamin D deficiency is recommended for optimising bone health, this study suggests it may also improve back pain.”
“Hence, testing for vitamin D deficiency in those with back pain who are overweight or obese may be warranted.”
Interestingly, in another study linking back pain to a vitamin D deficiency, men were significantly more prone to have a deficiency compared to women.
Those most at risk of a vitamin D deficiency are the elderly, people that are overweight, and those that rarely travel outside.
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Everyone should aim for between 8.5 and 10mcg of vitamin D in a single day, according to the NIH.
During the winter months, the sun isn’t strong enough for your body to make vitamin D.
It’s therefore usually recommended that everyone takes vitamin D supplements during these months to increase the amount in their diet.
