The Vitamin D Effect on Chronic Pain

Since becoming a pain consultant in 2009, Dr Thanthulage was struck by a recurring frustration: patients came with pain which often it was not possible to find a clear reason for their suffering. In some cases, even when it was possible to identify a cause, effective treatments were often elusive. As a doctor, whose core mission is to relieve pain, this was incredibly disheartening. In November 2009, Dr Thanthulage first came across research highlighting widespread vitamin deficiencies in the population. when he tested one of his patients for vitamin D levels the result was shockingly low. That moment marked the beginning of a new path in his professional journey, one focused on understanding the role of vitamin D in pain and overall health. Through years of clinical practice and ongoing learning, Dr Thanthulage came to understand that vitamin D is just one piece of the puzzle. It does not act alone. For vitamin D to function optimally, the body needs a range of other micronutrients we often neglect, lose through lifestyle choices, or fail to obtain through diet alone. This booklet is a synthesis of this learning which comes from both personal experience and patient care.