Could Vitamin D Help Reduce Pain in Fibromyalgia Patients?

A recent study shows that some people suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) could find relief by increasing their vitamin D intake.

As there is currently no cure for this condition, which can result in sleep disorders, poor concentration, morning stiffness and other issues involving mental problems, the study authors hope that calcitriol could help concentrate a pheromone in the liver known as calcifedio .

"Low blood levels of calcifediol are especially common in patients with severe pain and fibromyalgia. But although the role of calcifediol in the perception of chronic pain is a widely discussed subject, we lack clear evidence of the role of vitamin D supplementation in fibromyalgia patients," lead investigator Florian Wepner, MD, of the Department of Orthopaedic Pain Management, Spine Unit, Orthopaedic Hospital, Speising, Vienna, Austria, said via a press release. "We therefore set out to determine whether raising the calcifediol levels in these patients would alleviate pain and cause a general improvement in concomitant disorders."

The study looked at 30 women suffering from the health issue who also had low serum calcifediol levels. Some were placed in the control group while others were put in the treatment one.

Women in the treatment group received oral cholecalciferol supplements that were then discontinued after 24 weeks. At the end of 24 weeks, all of the patients were reevaluated. Study results showed that the treatment group had a reduction in the level of pain perceived during and after the treatments took place. However, the control group did not see the same results.

"We believe that the data presented in the present study are promising. FMS is a very extensive symptom complex that cannot be explained by a vitamin D deficiency alone. However, vitamin D supplementation may be regarded as a relatively safe and economical treatment for FMS patients and an extremely cost-effective alternative or adjunct to expensive pharmacological treatment as well as physical, behavioral, and multimodal therapies," Wepner said, via the release. "Vitamin D levels should be monitored regularly in FMS patients, especially in the winter season, and raised appropriately."

What do you think?

More information regarding the study can be found via Pain.