Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Numbness

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin D is scientifically recognized for its essential role in nerve health and function. Numbness, particularly in the hands, feet, or other extremities, can sometimes be a symptom of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is involved in calcium homeostasis and neuronal function; its deficiency can lead to hypocalcemia, which may cause neuromuscular irritability and symptoms such as tingling and numbness (paresthesia). Several clinical case reports and observational studies have documented improvement in numbness and paresthesia after correcting vitamin D deficiency in affected individuals.

However, evidence supporting vitamin D supplementation as a treatment for numbness is moderate. While there is a clear link between severe vitamin D deficiency and neurological symptoms, numbness is a non-specific symptom and can result from many causes, including nerve compression, diabetes, and other vitamin deficiencies (e.g., B12). Randomized controlled trials directly investigating vitamin D supplementation for numbness are limited. Most recommendations are based on case reports, small cohort studies, and mechanistic understanding of vitamin D’s role in nerve function. Thus, while there is a scientific rationale and supporting case-based evidence for using vitamin D to treat numbness when deficiency is present, its effectiveness in individuals with normal vitamin D levels or where numbness is due to other causes is unproven.

Clinical guidelines typically recommend checking vitamin D status in patients with unexplained numbness or neurological symptoms and correcting any deficiency, but do not suggest supplementation beyond this context.

More about vitamin D
More about Numbness

Other health conditions supported by vitamin D

Acne
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Anorexia
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Birth Defects (prevention)
Body Building
Broken Bones
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Celiac Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Erectile Dysfunction
Estrogen (low)
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Grave's Disease
Grief and Sadness
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (cluster)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Hypothyroid
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Knees (weak)
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leukemia
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Muscular Dystrophy
Myasthenia Gravis
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Numbness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Pancreatitis
Paralysis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
PMS (general)
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Sciatica
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Senility
Tuberculosis