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Research shows that vitamin D may help to boost movement in obese people with osteoarthritis.
This study was carried out by researchers at the University of Florida and published in The Clinical Journal of Pain. Lead researcher Dr Toni Glover and her colleagues assessed vitamin D blood levels and knee pain in 256 people with an average age of 56.8. The results showed that obese people with adequate vitamin D levels were associated with better walking, balancing and rising from sitting to standing, and had lower pain scores compared to obese people with low vitamin D levels.     

Dr Glover commented on the results,

“Adequate vitamin D may be significant to improving osteoarthritis pain because it affects bone quality and protects cell function to help reduce inflammation. Vitamin D maintains calcium and phosphate concentration levels to keep bones strong.” 

“Vitamin D is inexpensive, available over-the-counter and toxicity is fairly rare. Older obese patients with chronic pain should discuss their vitamin D status with their primary care provider. If it’s low, take a supplement and get judicious sun exposure.”

Source:
Glover, T.L. Goodin, B.R. et al. A Cross-Sectional Examination of Vitamin D, Obesity, and Measures of Pain and Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis.  The Clinical Journal of Pain published online ahead of print, doi: 10. 1097/AJP.0000000000000210

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