Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a growing concern throughout America. Those who suffer from knee OA experience pain and discomfort from swelling joints and can see a reduction in their ability to move. The number of elderly people suffering with the condition is rising and it is an important factor affecting wellness across the country and throughout the world. But now it seems that your race might play a part in how your body responds to the disease.
A new study published in the Arthritis & Rheumatism medical journal has revealed that black Americans who suffer with knee OA display a greater sensitivity to pain and lower levels of vitamin D in their body than white Americans. It seems that the lack of vitamin D could be a factor in the increased levels of pain that black Americans feel.
The last decade has seen a huge increase in understanding the importance of vitamin D. Studies have shown that it is not only a vitamin that aids calcium absorption, but that it also plays many roles as a hormone throughout the body.
Most vitamin D in humans comes from our exposure to the sun. This suggests that leading a life of indoor activities and not getting enough exposure to the sun can lead to deficiencies in the vitamin. It’s also known that darker skin pigmentation makes it harder to absorb vitamin D from the sun’s rays. One study even suggested that 95% of black Americans have lower than optimal levels of vitamin D, compared to 70% of white Americans.
People commonly associate vitamin D with good bone health, and while this is correct, it is also important for the general population to recognise the other important factors that the vitamin has on wellness. This study proves that low levels of vitamin D can actually increase sensitivity to pain, as well as many other conditions.
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