Most people just assume that pain is part of the aging process. Many may wake up with creaky joints or end the day with a screaming back and swollen joints. Either way, this pain may be caused by a simple vitamin deficiency.
Joint and back pain can have a negative impact on your physical activity levels and how much you enjoy your life. Don’t let pain do that to you—you deserve to stay active, try new hobbies, and not spend your life in crippling pain. The secret is to learn more about how this common vitamin deficiency linked to back and joint aches.
Surprise: your back and joint pain may not just be caused by your age, weight, job type, or activity level. In fact, it may well be caused by the food you’re eating (or not eating). Research has linked joint pain to a vitamin D deficiency. It can be difficult to hit your recommended daily vitamin D intake every day, especially if you’re not particular about getting outside or eating a balanced diet.
Researchers note that joint and back pain can become increasingly worse as a vitamin D deficiency lasts longer and longer. In time, it can even lead to the development of arthritis and cause bone problems.
Are You Missing Out on Vitamin D?
If you are missing out on vitamin D, your body is probably giving you signs. However, it’s easy to start ignoring symptoms if you’ve lived with them for years. On top of chronic back and joint pain, you may notice the following symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency:
- Burning sensation on feet
- Poor balance
- Low-quality sleep
- Leg pain
- Fatigue and generalized weakness
- Disturbed bowel
- Mood changes and irritability
You can try this simple test to see if you’re getting enough vitamin D.
1. With your thumb, press with about 4 kgs of force on your sternum (breastbone).
Is it tender or painful?
2. Now, press on the tibia (shin bone) of both your legs.
Are they sore or tender?
If the answer is “yes” to both of these tests then you have a 93% chance of being Vitamin D deficient.
Great Ways to Get More Vitamin D
Now that you know that a lack of vitamin D can cause many problems, you may be wondering how you can boost your intake and start getting rid of your joint and back issues.
One of the best sources of vitamin D is the sun. Just 10 minutes a day of natural sunlight may give you the vitamin D you need. It can be difficult to get natural sunlight in some places, especially in areas where it rains a lot or where harsh winters are common.
Vitamin D is found in many food sources, including salon, mushrooms, tuna, mackerel, and egg yolks. However, vitamin D is one of the instances in which I think supplementation is a great option.
Benefits of Supplementing
Missing out on vitamin D can have serious consequences, which is why supplementation is such a good option. It ensures that you get your daily recommended intake without you having to meticulously track your diet.
Make sure you choose a vitamin D supplement that contains D3, not D2. Vitamin D3 is the vitamin made naturally by your body in response to sunlight, and it’s the type that your body needs.
Sources
http://eisensteincenter.com/vitamins-supplements/pro-line/pro-d3-5
http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/features/the-truth-about-vitamin-d-what-kind-of-vitamin-d-is-best
http://www.curejoy.com/content/vitamin-deficiency-cause-joint-pain/
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/features/the-truth-about-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-food-sources
http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/vitamins-minerals/vitamin-d-deficiency.php
