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

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 believe making sure you are not deficient in Vitamin D can play a big part in helping.

I work with people who have Fibromyalgia and Fatigue.

I offer you my free Increase Energy Workshop to help give you tips and I will also introduce you  to my Aches Away & Energize Health Program.

My free workshop is for people in Australia, NZ, Canada or UK and have Fibromyalgia or ME/CFS or Long COVID symptoms.

Some of the facts in this article are from this book: 

"The Vitamin D Solution" written by Michael F Holick Ph.D., M.D.