Lower back pain intensity can vary from person to person – it may come on suddenly if you’ve lifted something heavy or moved in a way that’s hurt your back, explains Bupa. It is mostly attributed to physical causes, however. What is less commonly understood is the role that vitamin D deficiency plays in back pain.
The trial investigated the effects of vitamin D supplementation on back pain.
The study found supplementing vitamin D reduced back pain disability in severely deficient, overweight/obese adults.
Am I at risk of vitamin D deficiency?
Vitamin D is absorbed into the body through direct exposure to sunlight.
Some people will not get enough vitamin D from sunlight because they have very little or no sunshine exposure, however.
As the NHS explains, taking too many vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body (hypercalcaemia).
This can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart.
“If you choose to take vitamin D supplements, 10 micrograms a day will be enough for most people,” advises the health body.
Vitamin D is also found in the following foods:
- Oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel
- Red meat
- Liver
- Egg yolks
- Fortified foods – such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals
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