Vitamin D cuts pain in half

Supplementing with vitamin D can relieve pain from conditions like arthritis, menstrual cramps, fibromyalgia and chronic back issues, report researchers in the Journal of Endocrinology. In a review of data from 10,552 subjects, taking as little as 500 IU of vitamin D a day was shown to reduce pain scores by 50%. The study authors say vitamin D supplementation works in two ways: It stimulates an antiinflammatory immune response and improves sleep—both of which work to decrease pain sensitivity and severity.