Getting enough sleep can be an arduous task, especially due to the hectic lifestyle we tend to have. Even though sleep is essential for our overall health, some of us can’t afford to get proper sleep. What’s more, many people seem to lack vitamin D, which impacts the body and sleep health in many ways.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin which is crucial for bone health and sleep quality. In fact, healthy levels of vitamin D can promote bone growth, boost mood, prevent skin aging, and lower the risk of cancers.  

Various researches have pointed out the direct link between vitamin D levels and the quality and quantity of sleep. This vitamin also controls the inflammation and regulates the immune system. Lack of vitamin D can trigger sleep issues, such as insomnia, sleep disruption, and poor sleep quality.

Vitamin D deficiency can cause many sleep changes, including fewer sleeping hours and less restorative sleep. Moreover, it can be the culprit for increased inflammation of the nose and tonsils, which trigger sleep apnea and disturbed sleep.

Another recent meta-analysis has shown that vitamin D deficiency leads to short sleep duration, poor sleep quality, and sleepiness. Hence, low vitamin D levels are directly linked with an increased risk of sleep disorders. Vitamin D deficiency cannot only trigger insomnia, but also sleep apnea and sleep disruption.

As the vitamin D levels cause changes to the immune system, lack of this vitamin might lead to sleep apnea. Likewise, vitamin D is responsible for immune regulation and decreasing the release of inflammatory substances. These are the substances which regulate the sleep.

The relationship between vitamin D deficiency and sleep is still not completely clear, but it has been proven that people with lower vitamin D levels experience a lower quality of sleep.

Additionally, low levels of vitamin D can also make us feeling drowsy during the day and experiencing a lack of productivity. This can also be the culprit for an increased risk for mental health illnesses, including anxiety and depression. Moreover, people with low levels of this vitamin might face poor concentration, fatigue, mood swings, irritability, and memory loss. On the other hand, optimal levels of vitamin D lead to higher degrees of happiness and better moods.

Furthermore, people who get enough sleep, between 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, will be able to better absorb vitamin D naturally. In fact, vitamin D and melatonin are integral to sleep induction.

Vitamin D deficiency is a result of the lifestyle we have, as we tend to spend more time indoors and using a lot of sunlight when being outside. This is especially the case during the winter months, especially in the northern hemisphere, as we don’t spend a lot of time on sunlight which is necessary to boost vitamin D adequately.

Therefore, if you are experiencing constant and excessive fatigue, make sure you test your TSH and vitamin D level. In order to get vitamin D, try spending some time outside and consume eggs, mushrooms, salmon, tuna, mackerel and dairy products. So, as your vitamin D level rises, you will start noticing how your sleep improves.