Vitamin D helps reduce type 2 diabetes pain and depression in women

A new study has revealed that vitamin D decreases pain in women with type 2 diabetes and depression.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with depression and pain, but few studies have looked at how pain may affect the treatment of depression in patients with type 2 diabetes and no studies have evaluated the role of vitamin D supplementation on this association.

Researchers in this study tested the efficacy of weekly vitamin D2 supplementation for six months on depression in women with type 2 diabetes. Depression significantly improved following supplementation.

In addition, 61 percent of patients reported shooting or burning pain in their legs and feet (neuropathic pain) and 74 percent reported numbness and tingling in their hands, fingers, and legs (sensory pain) at the beginning of the study. Researchers found a significant decrease in neuropathic and sensory pain at three and six months following vitamin D2 supplementation.

"Pain is a common and often serious problem for women with type 2 diabetes and depression," Todd Doyle, lead author and fellow, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, said. "While further research is needed, D2 supplementation is a promising treatment for both pain and depression in type 2 diabetes."

The study was presented at a research conference at Loyola's Health Sciences Campus.