Almost four in five people with chronic migraine have low levels of this vitamin.
Frequent headaches are linked to lower vitamin D levels.
People with chronic migraine have lower levels than those with occasional migraines or no headache disorder.
Lower vitamin D is also associated with greater muscle tenderness.
The vitamin helps muscles and nerves function, making it relevant to understanding pain.
One possibility is that low levels amplify sensitivity to pain, although this remains an explanation to investigate.
Frequent headaches
The research compared around 150 adults, divided equally between chronic migraine, episodic migraine and a group without headache disorders.
Blood tests showed low vitamin D in 78 percent of the chronic migraine group, compared with 60 percent of those with episodic migraine and 46 percent of the comparison group.
Average levels were lowest in chronic migraine and highest among those without headaches.
Chronic migraine means headaches on at least 15 days a month for more than three months, with migraine features on at least eight days.
These headaches can change in character, even within the same day, and can include pain resembling tension headaches.
Muscles and pain
Lower vitamin D levels were associated with more tenderness when muscles were pressed.
The researchers suggest that muscular discomfort and changes in pain processing could interact, potentially helping sustain headaches.
However, the association could also run in the opposite direction: people with migraine may spend less time outdoors because of light sensitivity or fatigue.
The findings do not establish that supplements prevent migraines.
Vitamin D’s established functions extend beyond maintaining strong bones.
It helps the body absorb calcium, supports muscle movement and allows nerves to carry messages between the brain and the body.
Deficiency can cause a condition called osteomalacia in adults, involving bone pain and muscle weakness.
Where vitamin D comes from
The body produces vitamin D when sunlight reaches the skin, while food provides another source.
Oily fish, including salmon and mackerel, are among the best natural sources, while egg yolks contain smaller amounts.
Some breakfast cereals and other foods are fortified with the vitamin.
People who rarely expose their skin to sunlight can have more difficulty obtaining enough.
A blood test measures vitamin D status, helping distinguish a nutritional shortage from symptoms with other possible explanations.
Related
The study was published in the journal Cephalalgia Reports (Prakash et al., 2026).
