Fibromyalgia and Vitamin D

by Margie
(New York)

Hi Approach Wellness,

I found out about your site a few months ago. I have learned a lot from you already, thank you.

I can't afford supplements and so I thought you may be able to direct me. I have fibromyalgia and for months I have been looking at natural and inexpensive ways of improving my condition.

I read that magnesium and castor oil are both helpful with inflammatory conditions and I use epsom salts and castor oil regularly on my skin. Do you know of any other ideas?

Thanks, Margie


ANSWER


Hi Margie,

Vitamin D is actually an excellent natural treatment for fibromyalgia. Have you ever had your vitamin D levels tested?

Most of us simply do not get enough sun and are vitamin D deficient. Living in New York increases your odds of experiencing vitamin D deficiency symptoms, since you can only make vitamin D from the sun for a few months out of the year.

Some people with fibromyalgia have difficulties taking vitamin D. If that ends up being the case, check out some tips I put together for vitamin D absorption.

Vitamin D is pretty inexpensive. The brand I use can be found on my natural vitamin D page.

Even if you have to buy online and pay for shipping, you're looking at a cost of about $0.40 a day for a 10,000 IU dose.

Just make sure you get the natural D3 and not the synthetic D2 the doctor will try to get you to buy. Not only is D2 much more expensive, it is not near as effective as the natural D3.

Getting your levels above 50 ng/ml should eliminate your fibromyalgia symptoms.

Magnesium is definitely important too, so it's good to see you've found that. Stick with topical supplements like epsom salts and magnesium oil. Oral forms of magnesium can be difficult to take without digestive upset. Plus they don't raise blood levels near as effectively as the topical formulas.

I would choose coconut oil over castor oil. Coconut has a soothing effect on the digestive tract, reduces inflammation, and tastes a whole lot better (see other coconut oil benefits).

Hopefully this has been helpful. If you have any other questions, use the comment link below.

Best regards,

Melissa
Approach Wellness