Could one of the most overlooked drivers of chronic pain, fatigue, poor sleep, and slow recovery be hiding in plain sight? In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein and co-host Dr. Dacre Knight sit down with integrative medicine pioneer Dr. Gregory Plotnikoff to unpack why Vitamin D may be one of the most important, misunderstood, and cost-effective interventions in modern medicine. But this conversation goes far beyond bone health. Dr. Plotnikoff explains why Vitamin D functions more like a hormone than a vitamin, influencing over 2,000 genes tied to immune function, mood, sleep, inflammation, muscle health, and pain regulation. Together, they explore why profound deficiencies are shockingly common, even in sunny climates, and how low levels may contribute to chronic musculoskeletal pain, tendinopathies, stress fractures, fatigue, and complex chronic illness. The discussion also dives into practical, foundational medicine for patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS), POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome), chronic pain, and other multisystem conditions, including the “Top 5” lab tests Dr. Plotnikoff believes are essential for understanding the bigger picture of health. If you’ve ever been told your labs are “normal” while still feeling awful, this episode may change how you think about chronic illness and foundational health. Takeaways: • Vitamin D is actually a hormone that regulates gene expression affecting pain, sleep, energy, immunity, and bone health. • Chronic musculoskeletal pain, stress fractures, and tendon problems may sometimes be linked to severe Vitamin D deficiency. • Many people remain profoundly deficient despite living in sunny climates because Vitamin D synthesis is blocked by glass, sunscreen, clothing, and indoor lifestyles. • Vitamin D dosing is often weight-dependent, meaning some individuals require significantly higher doses to reach adequate levels. • Dr. Plotnikoff’s “Top 5” foundational labs for complex chronic illness include: Find the episode transcript here. Go to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code BENDY_ to get UP TO $300 off today! Want more Dr. Gregory Plotnikoff? www.MNpersonalizedmedicine.com Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast X: https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/ Newsletter: https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www\.bendybodiespodcast\.com/. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Learn more about Human Content at http://www\.human-content\.com Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: sales@human-content.com Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
