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

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin D has been investigated for its potential role in supporting or treating sciatica, primarily due to its effects on musculoskeletal health and nerve function. Several studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is relatively common among patients with chronic low back pain, including those experiencing radicular symptoms such as sciatica. The rationale is that vitamin D plays a role in modulating inflammation, supporting neuronal health, and maintaining musculoskeletal integrity. Some observational studies have reported correlations between low vitamin D levels and increased severity of back pain or neuropathic pain, suggesting that supplementation might offer symptom relief in deficient individuals.

However, high-quality randomized controlled trials specifically targeting vitamin D supplementation for the treatment or relief of sciatica are limited and have yielded mixed results. While some small studies or case series report improvement in symptoms after correcting vitamin D deficiency, others have found no significant benefit over placebo. Systematic reviews generally conclude that, while correcting a deficiency is important for overall health, there is insufficient evidence to recommend vitamin D supplementation as a primary or stand-alone treatment for sciatica.

In summary, vitamin D is sometimes used adjunctively for sciatica, particularly if deficiency is present, but robust scientific validation for its use specifically for sciatica is lacking. Its use is more justified by general health considerations than by direct evidence for sciatica relief.

More about vitamin D
More about Sciatica

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
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Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Celiac Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
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Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
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Cramps (menstrual)
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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
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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
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Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
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Nursing
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Oral Surgery
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PMS (general)
PMS Type D
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Pneumonia
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Post Partum Depression
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Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Sciatica
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Senility
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