Years of research have documented beneficial
actions of the hormone, vitamin D, on the skeleton, inflammation,
cancer, metabolic issues,
auto-immunity, endocrinopathies, and now adrenal diseases, diabetes,
thyroiditis, and more. (1) Vitamin D’s reputation continues
getting better! Researchers now are evaluating
vitamin D’s impacts on biomarkers like CRP, NPY, TNF-alpha, etc.,
after spinal manipulation and medical care. (2) In older adults who don’t always take the recommended amount of vitamin D, researchers described
that even a marginally enhanced intake of
vitamin D was associated with a lesser incidence of
pain over 5 years plus to frequency of pain, severity, and
number of pain locations. (3) What about vitamin D and Largo back pain, a common
problem that affects millions of people worldwide? Lately, research has revealed
that there may be a link between low levels of
vitamin D and back pain. While the evidence is still preliminary,
it’s vital for our Largo chiropractic
patients and Hollstrom & Associates Inc to realize what this potential
connection could mean in managing chronic back pain.
WHAT IS VITAMIN D?
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that assists
your body absorb calcium from the food you eat. It also helps keep bones healthy
and strong by preventing them
from becoming brittle or weak. Vitamin D can be absorbed from foods such as dairy products, fish, eggs, mushrooms, and some
vegetables. Sunlight also provides natural sources of vitamin D—the
ultraviolet rays convert cholesterol in the skin into vitamin
D3 which is then absorbed into the bloodstream and stored
in fat tissues. Even in winter in Largo, sunlight is
beneficial!
HOW CAN VITAMIN D HELP WITH BACK PAIN?
Research suggests that those with lower
levels of vitamin D may be more likely to experience
chronic back pain than those with better levels of vitamin D. One
study linked biomarkers
(such as vitamin D) and pain in acute and subacute low back pain patients over
time via comparison of biomarkers at baseline to differences
in patient-reported results at three months.
The results showed that those who had decreased
levels of vitamin D were more likely to have higher levels of
disability related to their low back pain at follow-up
than those who had better levels of vitamin D at the start.
(2) Do you know your Largo vitamin D level?
CHECK YOUR VITAMIN D LEVEL
Researchers have found that those with lower levels of
Vitamin D tend to report more frequent episodes of back pain than their
counterparts with better levels of the nutrient. This
could indicate a link between low vitamin D
level and heightened risk for chronic or recurrent episodes
of back pain. (2) Hollstrom & Associates Inc suggests you listen to this podcast with Dr.
James Cox on The Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he reviews the
benefit of adequate nutrition in the management of
a patient with 3 disc herniations via the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management.
CONTACT Hollstrom & Associates Inc
Overall, there is evidence suggesting a
link between a low Vitamin D level and an increased possibility for
chronic or recurrent episodes of back pain. Let’s chat
about your vitamin D level. Schedule your Largo
chiropractic appointment with Hollstrom & Associates Inc, your partner
in spinal health.