As it turns out, getting enough quality sleep on a regular basis is crucial to your overall health. That’s because sleep is an essential function that allows both your mind and body to rest and recharge. Without it, your body and health can start to deteriorate. In fact, just one night of poor sleep can have consequences. According to Insider, chronic sleep deprivation can cause fatigue, drowsiness, memory loss, depression, and difficulty concentrating.
A lack of consistent or quality sleep can also lead to mood swings and may even impair your judgment. As result, sleep experts recommend getting anywhere between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible or probable, but while some people may experience a lack of quality sleep due to their busy schedules, others may find it difficult to fall and stay asleep at night as a result of a vitamin deficiency.
A deficiency in vitamin D may cause sleep problems
According to Mindbodygreen, insomnia and sleep disruptions may be connected to a deficiency in vitamin D, which affects nearly 41% of all U.S. adults. A recent meta-analysis published in Nutrients examined the results of 19 studies and found a strong association between high-quality sleep and sufficient levels of vitamin D. In fact, researchers concluded that participants who took vitamin D supplements scored higher on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index — a questionnaire used to measure sleep quality — than those who did not.
Although the exact reasons are still unclear, Dr. Greg Burrell, the co-founder and VP of clinical product at Carbon Health, told Insider that several observational studies have also detected a connection between poor sleep quality and lower levels of vitamin D. However, further research is still needed to confirm this. In the meantime, you can help boost your vitamin D levels by getting 10 to 30 minutes of direct sunlight per day or eating foods that are rich in vitamin D like salmon, tuna, mushrooms, eggs, and fortified milk.
