Vitamin D can relieve pain associated with type 2 diabetes

RESEARCH conducted at Loyola University Chicago indicates that vitamin D supplementation (50,000 IUs) for three to six months decreased pain in diabetic women who felt shooting or burning pain in their legs and feet or numbness in their hands, fingers and legs. Likewise, vitamin D improved the mood of women with depression. These findings were presented at a conference at Loyola’s Health Sciences Campus on 24 October 2013.

“Pain is a common and often serious problem for women with type 2 diabetes and depression,” said Todd Doyle, PhD, lead author and fellow, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine (SSOM). “While further research is needed, D2 supplementation is a promising treatment for both pain and depression in type 2 diabetes.”

Loyola researchers have received funding from the National Institute of Nursing Research to conduct a trial comparing the effects of two different doses of vitamin D3 supplements on health outcomes in women with diabetes.