Years of research have documented beneficial
actions of the hormone, vitamin D, on the skeleton, metabolic issues, cancer, inflammation,
auto-immunity, endocrinopathies, and now adrenal diseases, diabetes,
thyroiditis, and others. (1) Vitamin D’s reputation continues
growing! Researchers now are analyzing
vitamin D’s effects on biomarkers like CRP, NPY, TNF-alpha, etc.,
after spinal manipulation and medical care. (2) In older adults who tend
to not always take the recommended amount of vitamin D, researchers described
that even a marginally increased intake of
vitamin D was linked to a lesser incidence of
pain over 5 years in addition to frequency of pain, severity, and
number of pain locations. (3) What about vitamin D and Toronto back pain, a common
problem that involves millions of people globally? Lately, research has shown
that there may be a link between low levels of
vitamin D and back pain. While the proof is still early,
it’s vital for our Toronto chiropractic
patients and Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre to grasp what this possible
connection could mean for those suffering from chronic back pain.
WHAT IS VITAMIN D?
Vitamin D is a crucial nutrient that assists
your body absorb calcium from the food you eat. It also helps bones stay strong and healthy by keeping them
from getting 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—its
ultraviolet rays transform cholesterol in the skin into vitamin
D3 which is then absorbed into the bloodstream and stored
in fat tissues. Even in winter in Toronto, sunlight is
beneficial!
HOW CAN VITAMIN D HELP WITH BACK PAIN?
Research suggests that those with lower
levels of vitamin D may be more prone to have
chronic back pain than those with optimal levels of vitamin D. One
report 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 lower
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 baseline.
(2) Do you know your Toronto 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) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre suggests you listen to this podcast with Dr.
James Cox on The Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he discusses the
benefit of proper nutrition in managing
a patient with 3 disc herniations via the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management.
CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
Overall, there is evidence pointing to a
link between a low Vitamin D level and an increased risk for
chronic or recurrent episodes of back pain. Let us talk
about your vitamin D level. Schedule your Toronto
chiropractic appointment with Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre, your partner
in spinal health.