Fibromyalgia and Vitamin D

Fibromyalgia and Vitamin D

“You should take more Vitamin D.”

It was a statement from my brother in the early days of my illness. I was already taking Vitamin D… and no matter what I said, he told me I should take more. He meant well.

Somewhere in his efforts to be a great brother (and he is) he’d found something that said that Vitamin D would help Fibromyalgia. And, evidently because I wasn’t feeling better I just needed to take more.

Perhaps, he wasn’t wrong.

Why do we need Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is important for fighting infection as well as for keeping our bones and organs healthy.

The body creates Vitamin D by converting sunlight. Unfortunately, most people don’t get enough sunlight, so it becomes necessary to supplement this important vitamin.

Vitamin D can also be found in a few foods including eggs, salmon and a few other fish.

Some foods that do not naturally contain Vitamin D (like milk, juice, and cereals)  now have added Vitamin D.

At one point I was taking between 2000 and 5000 iud of Vitamin D3 daily. Keep in mind that too much vitamin D supplementation can be harmful, so it’s best to talk with your doctor about how much you need.

Until the last year I didn’t get outside often. Even though the weather where I lived was good most of the year, I just didn’t make myself do it. However, a year ago I downsized my house and moved into an RV and now it’s rare that I don’t spend at least a little time outside each day. Now that I spend more time outside, I don’t need to supplement as much.

Fibromyalgia patients are lower in Vitamin D

I’ve had multiple doctors tell me that most people are low in Vitamin D, because we don’t get outside enough.

However, a meta-analysis (that’s a review of current studies on the topic) published in the Korean Journal of Pain (Makrani et al) in 2017 found that Vitamin D levels in those with Fibromyalgia are significantly lower than in healthy individuals.

Perhaps, those who are chronically in pain get outside even less, or perhaps there is some other factor at play that affects our levels of Vitamin D. Either way, it’s obvious that we need to be taking it.

Looking through a variety of studies and another meta-analysis (Yong, Sanguankeo, & Upala) that have evaluated using Vitamin D for the treatment of fibromyalgia the results seem rather mixed. 

Generally, it doesn’t appear that Vitamin D intake improves the chronic pain of fibromyalgia, but it does seem to improve overall quality of life, energy levels, and mood. Quality of life, energy, and mood are all things I do feel have improved since taking Vitamin D for fibromyalgia.

If you aren’t already including Vitamin D in your daily supplements it’s worth considering. First talk with your doctor and make sure they are testing your Vitamin D levels. If they are low discuss how much you should be taking. And, do your best to get outside daily and get some the natural way.

Do you take Vitamin D? Do you find it helps any of your fibromyalgia symptoms?

Related: 

• The fibromyalgia treatments that have helped me most
• FibroAid fibromyalgia multi-vitamin review
• 8 Natural Treatments for Insomnia
• The Vital Plan for Chronic Illness