Back Pain and Vitamin D in Older Adults

Older adults often suffer from back pain and also often have low levels of vitamin D. Could there be a connection between the two? This is the question that researchers tried to answer.

What is Vitamin D?

Basically it is something that your body produces. When the sun's light hits your skin, your body makes vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for bone health, heart health and more. Find out more about vitamin D.

Vitamin D and Back Pain?

Low levels of vitamin D are known to cause osteomalacia, or a softening of the bones. Osteomalacia can lead to pain in the lower back. Women are more susceptible than in men to osteomalacia (and for most bone conditions). In studies, researchers found a link between low levels of Vitamin D and back pain in women. Read on for more details.

Men, Women, Pain and Vitamin D

958 people, all over the age of 65, had their blood tested for vitamin D. The men and women were also asked if they experience any pain anywhere in their bodies. 58% of the women and 27% of the men had some pain in at least one part of their bodies. Women with low vitamin D were almost 2 times as likely as women with normal levels of Vitamin D to have lower back pain. Pain in men and pain in other areas of the body was not linked to vitamin D levels.

Should I Take Vitamin D Supplements?

So there is no research showing a vitamin D supplementation can impact lower back pain. This study just shows that women with low levels of Vitamin D were also more likely to mention they experience back pain. We don’t know that taking Vitamin D supplements will help osteomalacia or lower back pain. However, there are many studies linking low levels of vitamin D to a variety of age-related health problems. You can try to boost your own vitamin D levels naturally by making sure you get at least 15 minutes of exposure to sunlight on your hands and face every day. If you have back pain and are a woman, consider asking your doctor about having your vitamin D levels tested.

Exercises for Strong Bones

_Source(s):

Hicks, E Gregory, Shardell, Michelle, Miller, R Ram, Bandinelli, Stefania, Guralnik, Jack, Cherubini, Antonio, Lauretani, Fulvio, Ferrucci, Luigi. Associations Between Vitamin D Status and Pain in Older Adults: The Invecchiare in Chianti Study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Vol. 56, No. 5. (May 2008), pp. 785-791.