Vitamin D may help leg pain

I had severe leg pain for months. My doctor did blood work and found that my vitamin D level was 8. She prescribed me 50,000 IUs per week for 12 weeks, and now my leg pain is almost nonexistent.

This is a common prescription dose for correcting a severe vitamin D deficiency. Many people have less than optimal levels of this vitamin. Lower than 20 nanograms per milliliter indicates deficiency. Some experts believe that optimal levels should be at least 30. Replenishing vitamin D stores can reduce muscle pain.

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My wife started taking magnesium for persistent constipation, and it helped her immediately. Her 90-year-old father, a longtime heavy user of milk of magnesia, is having significant kidney-malfunction issues. His medical advisors identified the laxative as the cause. Could you comment on kidney risks associated with magnesium?

Magnesium is essential for muscles, nerves and bones. It helps regulate blood sugar, blood pressure and heart rhythm. The daily recommended dietary allowance is 420 milligrams for men and 320 milligrams for women. American diets are frequently low in magnesium, and blood pressure medicines containing diuretics may deplete it.

People with kidney problems should avoid supplements, laxatives or antacids that contain it. If your wife’s kidney function is normal and her physician monitors her magnesium levels, she should be able to tolerate up to 350 milligrams daily.

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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist and Teresa Graedon is an expert in medical anthropology and nutrition. www.peoplespharmacy.com