Vitamin D Cream

Although the nerves for sensation are mostly soft tissue and respond to similar signals for growth as other soft tissue, they are part of the nervous system. The effects of Vitamin D on the nervous system have been getting a lot of attention. Vitamin D is a vitamin that has a structure like a steroid (but have no harmful effects like steroids and are more powerful than most hormones). It has been found to have protective actions for nerves. Klueff AV, Erimin KO, Tohimaa P. Mechanisms of neuroprotective action of vitamin D3. Biochem (Mosc) 2004;69 (7): 738-41. Note that D3 is the name of the type of vitamin D found in humans. It is now generally accepted that Vitamin D affects all phases of the cell cycle: multiplication, cell type determination and life span, and that does include nerve cells. Nakagawa K. Effect of Vitamin D on the nervous system and the skeletal muscle. Clin Calcium 2006;16: 1182-87.

We are now proposing that much of the cause of chronic pain is from nerves as they are affected by membranes called "fascia" and especially right as they come out between muscles to run under the skin. These penetration points are considered areas of potential damage. Due to the strong neuroprotective activities of Vitamin D on nerves in animals and its safety in humans, the idea was formed to apply Vitamin D in a transdermal cream over the penetration points and sometimes the entire nerve course. This cream is currently made by compounding pharmacies.

Nearly two years of clinical experience have shown a frequent consistent beneficial effect on pain when patients shown the pattern of pain over classic areas of nerve penetration and sometimes without other treatment. This effect sometimes is felt within 10 minutes for conditions as diverse as acute shingles, osteoarthritis of the fingers, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD).

Clinical experience suggests that twice daily application is effective for most patients. A wide range of other beneficial effects of this cream are currently being investigated. A case collection of patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciosis was reported. Lyftogt J. Treating Inferior Heel Pain with Vitamin D 3 Dermal cream. Aust J Mus Med. Nov 2008: 74-77.

Vitamin D cream research is minimal to this point. Further studies are underway. However, there is no evidence of harmful effects of vitamin D over many years of use and those in the sun convert an estimated 20,000 units of vitamin D every 15 minutes, which again has not been found to be harmful. Nevertheless, checking blood for a vitamin D level is recommended within several months of starting treatment. Taking oral vitamin D is acceptable while using vitamin D cream. Because of the marked empirical benefit seen and its safety we are using Vitamin D in advance of the amount of research we typically like to see.