Vitamin D and sleep go together like strawberries and cream. The one without the other, makes us feel deprived. If we don’t get enough vitamin D, we will probably suffer insomnia or other sleep disorders.
A staggering 50% of the world’s population is deficient in vitamin D. Studies have clearly shown that people with low levels of vitamin D experience poor quality of sleep and shorter sleeping hours. This vitamin is essential for our well being but is difficult to obtain solely through diet. The most obvious source of vitamin D is sunlight, where our skin produces vitamin D in response to exposure to the sun, but we are now nervous about exposing our skin to the sun for fear of skin cancer. We cover our bodies in sunscreen thus blocking out our natural source of vitamin D.
Foods that Contain Vitamin D
As can be seen from the list below, vegetarians and, vegans in particular, will find it difficult to get their daily vitamin D from the food they eat.
- Fatty fish such as tuna, mackerel or salmon
- Beef liver
- Cheese
- Egg yolks
- Mushrooms
- Oysters
- Shrimp
- There are also foods which have been fortified with vitamin D, such as breakfast cereals
People who are Vulnerable to Vitamin D Deficiency and Poor Sleep Quality
There are many factors that can cause someone to be deficient in vitamin D and therefore experience poor sleep quality and/or sleep disorders.
- The elderly
- Those living in the northern hemisphere during the winter months
- Those working indoors during daylight hours
- Vegans and vegetarians
- Those who cover every part of their body with sunscreen and/or clothing when exposed to the sun
If you are suffering from insomnia or another type of sleep disorder, have a serious look at your vitamin D levels. Ensuring they are high enough could be a simple solution to a nightmare of a problem