Vitamin D - why it's important in Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue and Osteomalacia

Vitamin D - why it's important in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue

Some of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue are similar to some symptoms you get when you are vitamin D deficient, like muscle pain, bone aches, depression, feelings of weakness and fatigue that won't stop.  For this reason some people diagnosed with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue may be Vitamin D deficient.

In this article we talk about:

1.  How you make Vitamin D

2.  What stops you absorbing Vitamin D

3.  What Vitamin D helps with

4.  Testing for Vitamin D

5.  What conditions may prevent Vitamin D absorption

1.  How you make Vitamin D.

You make vitamin D in the kidneys from the UVB rays of sunlight on the skin if you expose your skin between the hours of 10am and 3pm in the late spring, summer and early autumn/fall.  If you expose your skin during those times it should be a short time only, depending on your burn time ie if your skin is fair or dark.  Start with 5 minutes one day to make sure you do not burn then increase for 5 minutes then again.  If you have very fair skin, at the hottest part of the day even 5 minutes could be too much for you.  We don't encourage tanning.

2.  What stops you absorbing Vitamin D

Remember you cannot absorb UVB rays for Vitamin D from the sun through glass.

Vitamin D is fat soluble. It is stored in body fat and released in the winter to help you have enough vitamin D when the sun is not shining.  More fat in the body does not mean more Vitamin D is available.  Excess fat cells in the body hold onto Vitamin D and don't release it for bone and cellular health.

These days we use sunscreen or cover up to prevent burning.  UVB cannot get through sunscreen.  We work all day inside and can become deficient.  Dark skinned people who move from hot, dry countries to countries that have less sun during the year can become deficient.

The following medications can interfere with the body's ability to maintain enough vitamin D levels and may need to take more.

Antiseizure drugs, Prednisone, immunotherapy drugs, St Johns Wort, some Obesity drugs, some Cholesterol drugs.

3.  What Vitamin D helps with

bone health: rickets, osteopenia, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, fractures.
cellular health: it can help prevent prostate, pancreatic, breast, colon and ovarian cancer.
Brain health:  helps prevent depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, dementia.
Mood health: seasonal affective disorder, PMS, sleeping disorders, elevates sense of well being.
Muscular health: supports muscle strength.
Autoimmune health:  helps prevent Multiple Sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis.
Immunity:  immune response can be reduced if you are vitamin D deficient.
Organ health: prevents heart disease and stroke, prevents type 2 diabetes, periodontitis (gum disease), tooth loss, inflammation.

4.  Testing for Vitamin D

In New Zealand, you need to pay for this test if the doctor does not think you need one.  Or you can take a supplement which can gradually build up your reserves. Follow the dose on the packet.  Don't overdose on supplements as this can be toxic.  Some people cannot absorb the vitamin from tablets so if you are going to take a supplement, get one that dissolves on your tongue.

There is a UVB lamp that can keep your vitamin D levels up in winter or if you prefer not to take supplements.  If you would like more details on this, please get in touch.

5.  What conditions may prevent Vitamin D absorption

People who have the following conditions may have trouble with vitamin D stores or absorption.

Fat malabsorption syndromes
Crohn's disease
Kidney failure
Vit D dependent rickets
Epilepsy if treated with anticonvulsant medications
Celiac disease
Anorexia or bulimia
Liver failure
Primary biliary cirrhosis
Cystic fibrosis

I don't believe Vitamin D is a cure all for Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue.  I believe it can play a big part in helping some of the symptoms along with increasing the oxygenated blood to the brain using my Aches Away & Energize self help Technique that we teach. 

When the brain does not have enough oxygenated blood it can cause cramping and pain in the body as it tries to obtain the extra blood supply it needs from the body and when it cannot get it, it triggers stress hormones which make the muscles tight and can cause a whole cascade of symptoms.  The self help technique helps to pump fresh blood up to the brain and pump old blood and lymph down and out of the head, decreasing the pressure built up. When the back of the brain gets what it needs, the cramping, body pain and headaches can decrease.

I help people with Fibromyalgia and Fatigue reduce their pain and wake up feeling energized so they can enjoy life again.

To do this, I offer you my Aches Away & Energize Health Program™

If you live in Australia, NZ, Canada or UK and have Fibromyalgia or Fatigue:

If this interests you and you want to learn more about it, you think this offer is right for you, and you want to reduce your pain and wake up feeling energized so you can enjoy your life again, apply for a free Health Assessment call on this link and we will figure out if it is right for you and we will go from there.

Click here to book a free Health Assessment Call

On the call I find out exactly what’s happening for you. 

I go through exactly what’s in the program and the benefits you get from it.

We can definitely discuss if it is right for you but either way you will go away from our call with options that can help you improve your health plus a Stress Buster Idea Sheet, if you would like it.

Some of the facts in this article are from this highly recommeded book:  "The Vitamin D Solution" written by Michael F Holick Ph.D., M.D.