Q: I have heard that vitamin D can be helpful in dealing with arthritis. Is it something that I would need to take in a pill form, or do we get enough vitamin D being outside?
A: Vitamin D helps your bones absorb calcium, which is vital to bone health. It's also crucial for muscle movement, communication between nerves and fighting inflammation. People who take oral steroids have a vitamin D deficiency twice as often as people who don't take them. Oral steroids are used sometimes in treatment for people with arthritis.
Vitamin D deficiency has been found to be common in people with rheumatoid arthritis and may be linked to musculoskeletal pain. Not having enough vitamin D can lead to other issues, such as impacting your immune system, reducing calcium and phosphorus levels, and increasing your risk for rheumatoid, if you're a woman. But the biggest concern for vitamin D deficiency is osteoporosis, or brittle bones. This condition increases your risk for bone fractures and bone pain.
Your doctor can order a blood test to determine your level of vitamin D. If it is very low, you may be prescribed a supplement. Including calcium and vitamin D rich foods in your diet will also help. These include dairy, dark greens and oily fish such as salmon or tuna. Sunshine helps with vitamin D, but remember to always wear sunscreen to prevent skin damage.
While there's still more testing and studying to be done to fully determine vitamin D's impact on arthritis, we know that vitamin D is important to many of our body's functions so we know it is important to make sure we get enough.
- Melinda Garcia-Rosell, M.D., rheumatologist with CHI Memorial Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates; Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society member