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How Fibromyalgia and Vitamin D Deficiency Are
Linked
The connection between fibromyalgia and vitamin D deficiency is
gradually coming to a better understanding as more research
studies are linking the muscular pain and weakness, experienced
by fibromyalgia patients, to an insufficient intake or poor
absorption of vitamin D in the body.
Several studies on both children and adult subjects have found
that low levels of vitamin D in the body lead to unexplained
bone and muscular pain. These findings have been received with
excitement by health professionals because if the connection
between fibromyalgia and vitamin D deficiency can be verified,
the pain and weakness of patients suffering from fibromyalgia
will be possible to treat with nutritional sources of vitamin
D. However, this does not mean that fibromyalgia is simply a
deficiency of vitamin D in the body; the latter is only a
factor in developing or aggravating symptoms of
fibromyalgia.
The Connection between Fibromyalgia and Vitamin D
Deficiency
The observed improvement in the overall condition of
fibromyalgia patients using vitamin D indicates a strong
connection between the disease and the function of vitamin D in
maintaining bone and muscular health. The role of vitamin D in
contributing to the development of fibromyalgia is thought to
be rooted in its metabolic function. Vitamin D helps in the
synthesis of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the body.
The parathyroid hormone serves to extract phosphates,
especially calcium phosphate, from the bones. Combined with
other factors, a failure to extract adequate amounts of
phosphates from bones can lead to fibromyalgia. In case of
vitamin D deficiency, the body is depleted in parathyroid
hormone and hence an abnormal retention of phosphates in the
bones may initiate a march toward symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Sunlight, Fibromyalgia and Vitamin D Deficiency
One linking factor of significance in the connection between
fibromyalgia and vitamin D deficiency is a person’s exposure to
sunlight. Vitamin D forms in the skin upon exposure to sunlight
for about 15 to 30 minutes. Limited exposure to sunlight on
account of climatic factors, lifestyle, skin color, or any
other reason, can result in vitamin D deficiency in the body,
even when a normal course of nutrition is followed.
Health experts are now approving the idea that small amounts of
unprotected sun exposure can be health-friendly, especially for
patients of fibromyalgia. Since this disease of muscular
weakness and pain develops slowly over several years, it seems
reasonable to reduce the use of sunscreen while out on a
moderately bright day and change a completely sun-protected
lifestyle.
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