May tips from Preckshot Professional Pharmacy

Vitamin D deficiency has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. and Canada and may be a major cause of unexplained muscle and bone pain. Numerous studies report that low vitamin D levels may precipitate or aggravate chronic pain, including low back pain (LBP). The populations with the greatest risk include the homebound elderly; people with pigmented skin, cultural and social avoidance of the sun, or gastrointestinal malabsorptions; and people who live in wintertime in climates above and below latitudes of 35 degrees.

The following problems are associated with low levels of Vitamin D:
• Osteoporosis • Breast cancer • Prostate cancer • Colorectal cancer • Depression • Schizophrenia • Fibromyalgia • Chronic pain, including low back pain • Rheumatoid arthritis • Cardiovascular Risk • Irritable Bowel Disease • Infertility • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome • Multiple Sclerosis

Vitamin D controls phosphorus, calcium, bone metabolism, and neuromuscular function. The medical literature overwhelmingly supports increasing vitamin D and calcium intake as an effective method for decreasing risk of vertebral and non-vertebral fractures. Health care providers should evaluate vitamin D levels as a possible cause of osteoporosis and treat vitamin D deficiency before using prescription drugs for bone health.

Vitamin D3 helps to regulate blood pressure and insulin production and stimulates the immune system. Treatment of vitamin D deficiency can produce an increase in muscle strength and a marked decrease in back and lower-limb pain within 6 months. Vitamin D supplementation appears to reduce the risk of falls among ambulatory or institutionalized older individuals with stable health by more than 20%. Vitamin D repletion has been shown to decrease cancer risk, reduce high blood pressure, improve survival in patients with prostate cancer, and improve Bone Mineral Density.

Vitamin D3 is available in a variety of forms, such as drops and capsules. Recent evidence suggests that consuming vitamin D3 in amounts that exceed the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) may be associated with better health outcomes.

Ask our pharmacist to help you select a quality Vitamin D supplement.

Look for Preckshot's helpful health advice each month in Numéro!