A recent study indicates
a significant link between daytime drowsiness and low levels of vitamin D, and
it also suggests that those with a vitamin D deficiency may be at an increased
risk for developing sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep
apnea (OSA).
The study, which was
led by a team with members from the Louisiana State University (LSU) Health
Sciences Center and the LSU School of Medicine, focused on 81 participants who reported
sleep problems and nonspecific pain. A majority of the patients were diagnosed
with obstructive sleep apnea, and all of the patients were eventually diagnosed
with some type of sleep
disorder.
The findings of the
study, which are published in the new issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, demonstrated that higher levels
of daytime drowsiness directly correlated with lower levels of vitamin D. One
unexpected, but not entirely surprising, result of the study was that it
indicated the disparity between vitamin D levels and sleepiness was especially
high among African-American participants; the study’s authors said this is
logical, because increased skin pigmentation is a risk factor for vitamin D
deficiency.
Like obstructive sleep
apnea, a vitamin D deficiency can contribute to a heightened risk for
cardiovascular disease and other health problems. Vitamin D is essential for,
among other things, building and maintaining strong bones.
People can produce
vitamin D naturally through exposure to sunlight, and vitamin D can also be
ingested through certain foods such as fish and eggs, as well as foods and
beverages fortified with vitamin D. Researchers involved in the LSU study said
the relationship between a vitamin D deficiency, daytime sleepiness and sleep
apnea needs deeper probing.
If you suffer from
daytime drowsiness, chronic snoring or other symptoms of sleep
apnea, a dentist who is experienced in the field of dental sleep medicine
may be able to recommend a comfortable and effective treatment.