The Connection Between Vitamin D Deficiency And Your Chronic Headaches

Getting enough vitamins is essential for good health. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a wide range of health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, and period pain. According to a 2017 Scientific Records article and other studies, it could also be the source of your headaches. If the problem is severe, search "headache specialist near me", but vitamin deficiency test is always a good thing to do.

Linking Low Vitamin D and Headaches

Low vitamin D levels were linked to headaches in middle-aged men in Finland, according to a study published in Scientific Records. When men's vitamin D levels were compared, those with the lowest levels were more than twice as likely to have headaches at least once a week. Chronic headaches were also more common in men examined from October through May when vitamin D levels in Finland were lower due to lack of sun.

However, many men with vitamin D deficiency did not have chronic headaches. Because Finland is far from the equator and receives less sunlight, low vitamin D levels are common. Sixty-eight percent of the 2,601 study participants had levels below 50 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L), the deficiency threshold—a figure far higher than the 9.6% of men who reported having chronic headaches. Nonetheless, men with headaches had lower average vitamin D levels (38.3 nmol/L) than men without headaches (43.9 nmol/L).

The researchers were only able to establish an association between the two conditions, not a cause-and-effect relationship. Other studies, such as a 2020 Nutrients review, have found similar links between low vitamin D and headaches, particularly migraines.

How Does Low Vitamin D Cause Headaches?

According to the 2020 Nutrients article, vitamin D deficiency can cause migraines and other headaches through multiple pathways. Too little vitamin D can cause inflammation, make some neurons more sensitive, alter brain chemical levels, increase Nitric Oxide formation, decrease Magnesium absorption, and decrease melatonin—all of which can lead to headaches.

Vitamin D and Headache Treatments

According to the Nutrients review, taking vitamin D supplements may help reduce the frequency of headaches, particularly in migraine sufferers. In addition, a recent study found that people with adequate vitamin D levels have a lower risk of chronic headaches.

The benefit of treating low serum vitamin D levels is an improvement in the vitamin's many other important health functions. Restoring vitamin D to normal levels—through food or supplements—is already a good idea, but the studies suggest that it may have the added benefit of relieving headaches.

Even though the United States is not as far north as Finland, it can be difficult for residents to obtain enough vitamin D through sunlight during the winter. Fortunately, nutrients are also found in eggs, fatty fish, and fortified foods such as milk and cereal. What you eat with those foods is also important: Vitamin D is best absorbed when consumed with fat, such as low-fat yogurt, olive oil dressing, or avocado.

The benefits and risks of taking vitamin D supplements for people with normal levels are still unknown. Make sure to discuss these supplements with your healthcare provider. It is risky to take more vitamin D than the daily recommended amount of 400 to 1,000 IU for most people.

Even if you have a vitamin D deficiency, consult your doctor before taking any supplements. If you have a deficiency and your doctor recommends supplements, you may need large replacement doses for six weeks. Then you may be given a daily supplement containing 50 to 2,000 IUs. This supplement may help teduce the frequency of your headaches aandother conditions caused by a lack of vitamin D.

Testing for Vitamin D Deficiency

:Whether physicians should routinely test for vitamin D levels is controversial. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend screening as of April 2021 unless a patient shows signs of a deficiency. But if you're concerned about your levels—especially through the winter months—ask your healthcare provider whether you should get tested. Serum D testing is a simple, low-cost blood test that can be combined with other lab testing and regular physical exams.