Trakya University (TU) Faculty of Medicine Head of Physiology Department Prof. Dr. Levent Öztürk said that vitamin D deficiency negatively affects sleep quality and health.
Trakya University (TU) Faculty of Medicine Head of Physiology Department Prof. Dr. Levent Öztürk told Anadolu Agency (AA) that studies on the relationship between vitamin D and sleep have increased recently.
Stating that insomnia is frequently seen in people with vitamin D deficiency. Öztürk said, “Vitamin D affects especially the brain regions that regulate sleep. Studies have shown that vitamin D plays a role in the production of melatonin, an important sleep hormone. Individuals with low vitamin D levels have low sleep quality. We know that they have trouble falling asleep.”
Öztürk stated that in addition to the usual tests, vitamin D levels have been measured in patients who applied with the complaint of insomnia.
Referring to the importance of benefiting from the sun in replenishing the vitamin D stored in the body, Öztürk said:
“One of the things to do before going to a doctor for those who suffer from insomnia, those who think that their sleep quality is not good, and those who wake up not rested in the morning, take advantage of the sun and take a sunbath for 10-15 minutes. I recommend taking advantage of the vitamin D-forming effects of the sun and supporting it. This is called ‘lullaby of the sun”.
“When we get enough sun exposure, we can keep our vitamin D levels at normal levels. This will have a positive impact on sleep quality and health.”
Emphasizing that vitamin D has many functions in the body, Öztürk added that vitamin D supplements can be taken under the control of a doctor.