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Can micronutrients relieve pain?

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Many people suffer from pain on a regular basis. Pain can be a major burden in everyday life and severely limits the quality of life.

There are many different types and causes of pain. Pain usually occurs when tissue is damaged and serves as a warning signal. Once the trigger is removed and the injury heals, the pain usually subsides. But there is also chronic pain that lasts for a long time and the cause of which is often not easy to identify.

Pain is traditionally treated with painkillers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), paracetamol and opioids.

When treating chronic pain, different painkillers are often combined. This makes the pain easier to control. However, this also results in significantly more side effects.

Micronutrients can complement pain therapy with medication. Many nutrients have an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect or can influence the perception of pain.

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B vitamins

B vitamins are also called nerve vitamins. For good reason. They are essential for the function of nerves and promote their regeneration. A deficiency in certain B vitamins can cause neuropathy, which leads to nerve pain.

Vitamin B1 has important functions in carbohydrate metabolism, which is important for energy production. Vitamin B1 can also suppress the transmission of impulses in nerve fibers, has an analgesic effect and increases pain tolerance. Vitamin B1 can be particularly helpful for chronic headaches and bone pain and neuralgia (nerve pain). [1]

Vitamin B3 has important functions in fat metabolism. In studies, high doses of vitamin B3 were able to alleviate neuralgia and neuropathy. [2]

Vitamin B6 is important for the synthesis of sphingosine (a component of the insulating myelin sheath). Vitamin B6 is also involved in the production of the happiness hormone serotonin, which can reduce the perception of pain.

Studies suggest that vitamin B6 may improve tolerance to drug withdrawal in chronic pain. [3]

Vitamin B12 is important for nerve regeneration. It is needed for the synthesis of myelin. Vitamin B12 can help with neuropathic pain and sensory disorders, especially when these are due to a vitamin B12 deficiency. [4]

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has an analgesic effect in high doses. It acts on the neurotransmitters dopamine and glutamine, which play an important role in pain perception. Studies have shown an analgesic effect on tooth, bone, back and tumor pain. [5]

Tryptophan

The amino acid tryptophan serves as a building block for the production of serotonin. It can raise the pain tolerance threshold in chronic pain. [6] However, caution is advised when taking morphine, as tryptophan can reduce its effect.

Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect. Since inflammatory reactions play an important role in many types of pain, they can counteract pain in this way.

In one study, omega-3 was able to reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches in subjects with treatment-resistant migraines. [7]

MSM

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM, also called organic sulfur) has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. In one study, MSM was able to relieve osteoarthritis pain. [8]

magnesium

Magnesium can increase the seizure threshold and has a vasorelaxing effect. There is evidence of a connection between premenstrual migraine headaches and low magnesium levels.

selenium

Selenium is important for the body's antioxidant protection system. It appears to play a role in inflammatory joint diseases, as well as cancer, bone, back and tooth pain. [9]

Inadequate selenium intake is also associated with muscle pain. This is particularly relevant in Germany, as it is considered a selenium deficiency area and selenium deficiency is widespread.

Conclusion: Micronutrients can support pain therapy

Nerve cells require many nutrients to function optimally. B vitamins are particularly important for function and regeneration. Nutrients are also needed for the production of neurotransmitters that influence pain perception. Pain is often caused by inflammation and many nutrients have an anti-inflammatory effect.