I remember when the first drug was approved by the FDA in 2007 (Lyrica or pregabalin) specifically for the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM). Everywhere there was a hope that this action could only mean that FM was officially "real". I did not share in the enthusiasm. My husband, David, has fibromyalgia. Having FM was a medical stigma and many health care professionals had the attitude that it was a psychosomatic disease, meaning, all in the patient's head. Would having a designer drug make a difference?

Vitamin D3 is a controversial supplement when it comes to knowing how much to take. Supplements are available in 400 IU to 5,000 IU amounts and even the experts have conflicting recommendations, adding to the confusion for consumers who wish to supplement. So how do you figure it out? A 2017 published Canadian study specifically looked at the factors which influenced D3 levels based on individual needs.

The more you learn about vitamin D3, the more impressed you should be! D3 is known to help build bones, modify pain and is an important pro-hormone precursor. Since 2009, researchers have also linked low vitamin D3 levels to issues with sleep. Subsequent studies continue to look at vitamin D3 to assess how low, normal and therapeutic levels influence sleep, improve sleep time and quality.