Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to chronic pain in women, and increased risk of death for all people.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins analyzed a diverse sample of 13,000 people and found a 26% increased risk of death for participants in the lowest quartile of vitamin D levels. This is consistent with other studies that have linked low levels of vitamin D to diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, and being obese.

Researchers at the Institute of Child Health in London found that lower vitamin D levels may contribute to chronic pain in older women. The link was not found for men, suggesting hormones may be involved. (The differences were not explained by gender differences in lifestyle or social factors, such as levels of physical activity and time spent outdoors.)

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