The Hidden Link Between Micronutrient Deficiencies and Chronic Pain

The Connection Between Nutrients and Pain

You’ve tried stretching, rest days, even better pillows — but those aches just won’t quit. Chronic pain doesn’t always come from an injury or stress. Sometimes, it starts from the inside.

And here’s the surprising part: certain nutrient gaps may influence how strongly your body feels pain.

A recent study¹ from the University of Arizona Health Sciences found a meaningful two-way link between micronutrient deficiencies and chronic pain — not in a cause-and-effect way, but in a pattern that’s too important to ignore:

• People low in key vitamins and minerals were more likely to experience ongoing pain

• And people living with chronic pain were more likely to be deficient

What this tells us is simple: when your body runs low on essential nutrients, your nerves, muscles, and recovery systems don’t function at their best. Micronutrients rarely get the spotlight, yet they quietly support how we feel every single day.

7 Essential Nutrients That Help Support Comfort & Recovery

Your body relies on nutrients to calm inflammation, repair tissues, and support your nervous system. When levels dip too low, your pain threshold can drop — meaning you feel more discomfort from the everyday stressors.

Here are some of the most important ones to know:

1. B Vitamins

B vitamins help protect your nerves and help convert food into usable energy. Different B’s support different pain-related systems:

• B2 and B6 have been studied for carpal tunnel support

• B3 may help improve joint flexibility

• B12 supports neurological function — especially helpful when tingling or odd sensations are present

They’re found in leafy greens, eggs, fish, poultry, nuts, and beans — but stress, digestive issues, and certain medications can deplete them quickly.

2. Vitamin C

The study revealed that men with chronic pain showed significantly higher rates of borderline or low vitamin C. It’s essential for tissue repair, collagen formation, and immune balance — all important when your body is trying to recover.

3. Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a significant role in immune function and musculoskeletal health. Low levels are incredibly common and often seen in people with persistent discomfort or fatigue. Since it’s challenging to get enough from food alone, sunlight and smart supplementation are usually needed to reach healthy levels.

4. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps balance inflammation. Early research suggests it may support musculoskeletal comfort. You’ll find it in sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, red peppers, mangoes, and avocados.

5. Magnesium

Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions — including muscle and nerve function, energy production, and blood pressure regulation. Low magnesium levels are incredibly common, especially in adults over 30.

It helps activate vitamin D, supports calcium balance, and has been used in research settings for migraines and fibromyalgia.

6. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3s help regulate inflammation and support joint and muscle health. They’re found in salmon, sardines, walnuts, and flaxseed, and have been studied for back pain, migraines, and arthritis-related discomfort.

They work best with consistent intake, building up in the body over time.

7. Calcium

Calcium supports nerve firing, bone strength, and healthy muscle contraction. Low levels can lead to cramps, fatigue, and even irregular heart rhythms.

Leafy greens like kale, bok choy, and collards are great non-dairy sources that most people overlook.

8. Iron

Iron helps carry oxygen to your muscles. When levels drop:

• Your limbs may feel heavy

• Recovery slows

• Simple tasks feel harder

• Fatigue becomes more noticeable

Women, runners, and pregnant individuals are especially prone to low iron — often without knowing it.

Stress, irregular sleep, pregnancy, intense training, digestive issues, certain medications, and heavily processed foods can all interfere with nutrient absorption or drain your stores over time.

Most people try to fix these gaps with a multivitamin. In fact, surveys show roughly 75% of Americans take supplements to fill nutritional gaps² — but here’s the part most people don’t realize:

Most supplements check the box BUT miss the point.

Pills are often packed with cheap, hard-to-absorb ingredients, while gummies squeeze in fewer than a dozen nutrients — usually just enough to say “multivitamin” on the label.

But your body doesn’t need more stuff; it needs the right stuff in forms it can actually use.

Energy, recovery, and overall well-being depend on how well those nutrients are absorbed and delivered—not just on how many are listed on the label.

Exactly Why Root’d Takes a Different Approach

Instead of limiting nutrients to fit a pill or candy-like gummy, Root’d MULTI is built around a nutrient-dense, drinkable blend your body can actually absorb.

Its chelated minerals and methylated vitamins are easy on digestion and ready for use, while a proprietary mix of organic superfoods, probiotics, and enzymes helps the body break down and utilize every bit of nutrition inside.

It’s the difference between taking a vitamin and actually absorbing one — between “doing something good” and giving your body exactly what it needs to perform at its best.

Stay Root’d in Your Health!

Chronic pain and fatigue can be your body’s way of saying it needs deeper support. Prioritizing nutrient intake, hydration, and absorption can help you feel stronger and more energized from the inside out.

By staying nourished with real foods, staying hydrated, getting sunlight, getting restorative sleep, and choosing nutrient forms your body can absorb, you build a stronger foundation for comfort and recovery.

Whether that support comes from your meals, your habits, or a daily Root’d ritual, the goal is simple:

Keep your nutrient levels steady so they don’t fall back into the gaps linked to chronic pain.

Consistency is key.

One of the most significant insights from the study is how nutrient levels shift gradually over time. Micronutrients don’t deliver an instant “kick” like caffeine — they build up as your stores replenish day by day. That’s why consistency matters.

Root’d is intentionally made in an easy-to-enjoy drinkable form — no pill swallowing, no sugary gummies — delivering magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin D, hydration, probiotics, and more in one complete daily serving.

If you want to explore how each nutrient inside Root’d supports your overall well-being, our Interactive Supplement Facts Guide is the perfect place to dive deeper.