Health checkup: Vitamin D is for muscles, too
News Desk
Chronicle, These chronic and often progressive muscle symptoms may lead
to a false diagnosis of fibromyalgia, polymyalgia rheumatica or other
muscle condition. ...
Dr. Tammi Shlotzhauer
(June 21, 2006) - It has long been understood that vitamin D is
required in order to absorb calcium to help prevent osteoporosis. New
research reveals that vitamin D is also needed for proper muscle
functioning.
Weakness, muscle aches and pain, as well as bone pain may be a sign of
inadequate vitamin D reserves. These chronic and often progressive
muscle symptoms may lead to a false diagnosis of fibromyalgia,
polymyalgia rheumatica or other muscle condition.
Most importantly, if not diagnosed, vitamin D deficiency cannot be
treated appropriately. Very recent studies suggest that vitamin D may
also have a role in the prevention of inflammatory or autoimmune
diseases, but this area needs more study.
Vitamin D is made available to the body through sunlight and through
diet. Most vitamin D is made in your skin after exposure to UVB
sunlight. Older people, those with darkly pigmented skin and people who
live in sun-deprived places are at risk for developing vitamin D
deficiency.
Clearly we want to protect our skin from the damaging effects of UVB
light, so this makes us all more dependent on dietary sources of
vitamin D. These sources include dairy products, some cereals, oily
fish, fortified orange juice and supplements. The two forms of vitamin
D supplementation are D2 and the more potent and preferred D3. Check
the label to see which kind your supplement contains.
News Desk
muscle symptoms may lead to a false diagnosis of fibromyalgia,
polymyalgia
rheumatica or other muscle condition. ...
Health checkup: Vitamin D is for muscles, too
Dr. Tammi Shlotzhauer
(June 21, 2006) - It has long been understood that vitamin D is
required in order to absorb calcium to help prevent osteoporosis. New
research reveals that vitamin D is also needed for proper muscle
functioning.
Weakness, muscle aches and pain, as well as bone pain may be a sign of
inadequate vitamin D reserves. These chronic and often progressive
muscle symptoms may lead to a false diagnosis of fibromyalgia,
polymyalgia rheumatica or other muscle condition.
Most importantly, if not diagnosed, vitamin D deficiency cannot be
treated appropriately. Very recent studies suggest that vitamin D may
also have a role in the prevention of inflammatory or autoimmune
diseases, but this area needs more study.
Vitamin D is made available to the body through sunlight and through
diet. Most vitamin D is made in your skin after exposure to UVB
sunlight. Older people, those with darkly pigmented skin and people who
live in sun-deprived places are at risk for developing vitamin D
deficiency.
Clearly we want to protect our skin from the damaging effects of UVB
light, so this makes us all more dependent on dietary sources of
vitamin D. These sources include dairy products, some cereals, oily
fish, fortified orange juice and supplements. The two forms of vitamin
D supplementation are D2 and the more potent and preferred D3. Check
the label to see which kind your supplement contains.
Vitamin D levels can be checked by a blood test. Leading researchers
believe that we have set the "normal" test range for this vitamin too
low and we should strive for higher blood levels to optimize muscle and
other body functions.
An informal analysis in my rheumatology practice revealed a majority of
patients having insufficient levels of vitamin D, with people of color
being almost uniformly effected.
The dosing recommendations for vitamin D supplementation are varied and
controversial because of fear that individuals will take too much of
this fat-soluble vitamin.
However, there is very little evidence that higher supplementation
leads to toxicity. Current national guidelines range from 400 to 800
international units per day.
Experts in vitamin D metabolism believe these dose ranges represent the
very minimum required intake, with the goal for optimal functioning
favoring higher doses. We will hopefully see new guidelines that
reflect these expert recommendations.
Dr. Tammi Shlotzhauer is a private practice rheumatologist in
Rochester. She also works as a consultant for Rochester Clinical
Research.