30 Seconds SummaryThe effects of Vitamin D on sleep
- Sufficient sleep is beneficial, and vitamin D supplementation may help strength outcomes if levels are low, but relationships between vitamin D and sleep are less clear.
- Observational research suggests low vitamin D levels correlate with poorer sleep quality and higher sleep disorder risks, but issues of reverse causation complicate these findings.
- A meta-analysis focused on intervention studies showed that vitamin D supplementation might improve sleep quality, though evidence from these studies is mixed and overall inconsistent.
- Vitamin D might play a role in regulating sleep through its interactions with brain areas responsible for sleep, sun exposure leading to better vitamin D synthesis, and reducing effects of insufficient sleep.
- Morning light exposure is critical as it significantly influences our circadian rhythm, more than vitamin D levels, by directly affecting light sensors in our eyes.
- For those struggling with sleep, prioritizing morning light exposure, maintaining sleep hygiene, and possibly engaging in physical activity are recommended before considering vitamin D supplements.
- Further research and careful methodological considerations are necessary to draw more definitive conclusions about the impact of vitamin D on sleep quality and quantity.
Stronger By Science
Eric Trexler
