- "Researchers found that 93 percent of 150 participants
who complained of nonspecific body aches were vitamin D deficient.."
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- Do you hurt all over? Researchers at the University of
Minnesota say you might feel better if you drank more milk and enjoyed
a bit more sunshine.
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- The discovery is important because as many as 20 percent
of U.S. adults experience chronic pain. Of those, about nine in 10 report
some degree of long- or short-term disability. Treatment costs are estimated
at $50 billion annually.
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- Studies over the years have shown that people who don't
get enough vitamin D ÷ a substance usually associated with fortified
milk and sunlight ÷ are more likely to suffer from chronic body
aches. What they didn't know, until now, is how common vitamin D deficiency
is, particularly among younger people and immigrant populations who complain
of chronic pain.
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- In a study published in today's issue of the Mayo Clinic
Proceedings, university researchers found that 93 percent of 150 participants
who complained of nonspecific body aches were vitamin D deficient.
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- The study also suggests the problem may be even more
widespread among younger Americans and members of certain racial and ethnic
groups.
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- Every one of the African-American, East African, Hispanic
and American Indian participants in the study were vitamin D deficient.
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- All participants younger than 30, regardless of nationality,
also were found to be deficient. Of those, more than half were severely
deficient.
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- Finally, five participants, who had been told by their
doctors that their pain was "all in their head," had no vitamin
D at all, according to the study.
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- "These findings are remarkably different than what
is taught in medical school," said Dr. Greg Plotnikoff, professor
at the University of Minnesota's Center for Spirituality and Healing and
lead researcher in the study. "We found the worst vitamin D deficiency
in young persons ÷ especially women of childbearing age."
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- Part of the reason is low consumption of milk, which
is fortified with vitamin D, the researchers said. The per capita milk
consumption by U.S. teenagers in 2001 provide less than 25 percent of the
recommended daily intake of vitamin D, they pointed out.
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- In other cases, immigrants who adhere to traditional
dress codes that call for covering of their heads, arms and legs are not
getting enough exposure to the sun, which helps the body produce vitamin
D, the researchers said.
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- Because of the discovery, people with persistent, nonspecific
body aches and pains should be screened regularly for vitamin D deficiency,
Plotnikoff and his colleagues say.
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- Tom Majeski can be reached at <mailto:tmajeski@pioneerpress.com>tmajeski@pioneerpress.com
or 651-228-5583.
- http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/7447048.htm
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