Vitamin D for Concussions
As we’ve discussed in other articles concussions are multi-faceted injuries. Their symptoms can range from person to person because the underlying physiology is complicated.
Its causative factors are usually some impact or rotational force, but the mechanism of the longer lasting symptoms often include inflammatory, oxidative and neuro-excitation based processes.
The use of Vitamin D3 for concussions is slowly emerging as a main-stay in the treatment and even prevention of concussions.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, used throughout the body for many things – like bone mineral density and immune regulation. As you’ll see it’s intimately related to brain health and especially useful in post-concussion management.
Vitamin D3 and Brain Health
Vitamin D3 is key in neuro-cognitive health. It’s known to be deficient in a wide range of brain related conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, stroke risk, cerebrovascular lesions and more [1]. Vitamin D3 is associated with inflammatory, autoimmune, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and neurodegenerative disease.
Vitamin D3 May Be Helpful After Concussion
Vitamin D3 has been shown to be neuroprotective and vasculo-protective following traumatic brain injury such as concussion. Both the neurons and vascular system are vulnerable in the acute phase, and it’s been shown vitamin D3 supplementation can help [2].
Vitamin D3 has a regulatory effect on calcium, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of post-concussion syndrome.
Vitamin D3 also supports neural protection within the nervous system through anti-oxidant mechanisms, enhanced nerve conduction and detoxification mechanisms [2].
Human Research and Vitamin D3?
Vitamin D3 is studied extensively, as is concussion. However, when it comes to human research for Vitamin D3 supplementation, there actually isn’t much research, so it’s hard to conclude with certainty it’s true effect.
Vitamin D’s safety is well established, and in mechanistic research and animal studies vitamin D3 shows to be safe for sure, and possibly effective for managing post-concussive syndromes. Based on it’s cheap price point, common deficiencies in the population and ease of access, it’s worthwhile considering when you’re managing a concussion.
Managing Your Concussion
The management of concussions can include natural compounds with a naturopath, such as vitamin D3, but also zinc, fish oil, amino acids and other anti-inflammatories.
Concussion specific rehab with specially trained physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists and counsellors
References
Interested in learning more?
Read on in our series of articles on Concussions!
About the Author - Dr. Johann de Chickera
Dr. Johann is a fully licensed Naturopathic Doctor. His approach emphasizes the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and improving one’s health naturally. Dr. Johann obtained a Doctor of Naturopathy at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). Education at CCNM is a vigorous four years, with a curriculum involving biomedical sciences, physical diagnosis, clinical nutrition, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, botanical (herbal) medicine, physical medicine, homeopathy and lifestyle management.
While Dr. Johann has a general practice, he focuses on fertility, hormonal imbalances, gut health, and autoimmune disease.
To book in please call us at (519) 442-2206 or click here.