Does joint pain increase during the winter?

As temperatures drop, have you started to notice that your knees and other joints aren't feeling as great as they did during the spring and summer? When winter hits, doctors see a noticeable spike in joint pain issues. Until recently, physicians were unaware of why these pain issues were more frequent during winter.

However, new research may provide a window into why joint pain issues are so prevalent during cold weather:

Vitamin D and joint pain

A 2015 study published in the Clinical Journal of Pain examined a group of osteoarthritis sufferers with varying levels of vitamin D. Regardless of weight, the study found that those who had lower levels of vitamin D experienced more knee pain and loss of joint function, as opposed to those with adequate vitamin D levels who reported less pain.

Vitamin D levels can drop especially during the winter when most people are less exposed to direct sunlight and spend less time outdoors. Low vitamin D levels can cause increased inflammation and more frequent pain. Additionally, low vitamin D levels can lower bone quality, which can increase the likelihood of chronic pain issues and possible bone fractures.

How to improve vitamin D levels

Much of the vitamin D in our bodies comes from exposure to sunlight. Doctors may prescribe vitamin D supplements, but they can also be boosted through diet. Tuna, mackerel and salmon, milk, orange juice and cereals, cheese, and egg yolks, are great sources of vitamin D or fortified vitamin D.

Age, weight and current state of health can have an impact on knee and other forms of joint pain. If you or a loved one suffer from joint pain, shop for products to treat this at FSAstore.com!