Disturbed sleep: the trigger for vitamin D deficiency?
SergioTufik, Full Professor, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Department of Psychobiology[email protected]
Lais F. Berro, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Sergio B. Tufik, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Monica L. Andersen, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Submitted August 14, 2014
Littlejohns et al. confirmed that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of dementia. [1] Several studies have been proposing the widely prevalent lack of vitamin D as a potential cause of epidemic ill-health conditions. However, the trigger for this deficiency is poorly understood.
In addition to an increasingly large number of humans spending most daytime hours indoors, sleep deprivation is common place in modern society. In this regard, studies demonstrated anatomic and epidemiological connections between sleep problems and vitamin D deficiency. [2] Of importance, low vitamin D levels seem to be significantly associated with longer time to fall asleep [3] and excessive daytime sleepiness, [4] underlying conditions in sleep restricted individuals.
Although the cause and consequence between sleep impairment and vitamin D deficiency is not yet fully elucidated, this suggests a bidirectional relationship. We propose chronically restricted sleep as a potential trigger for inadequate vitamin D in modern society. To date, no studies specifically addressed the effects of sleep deprivation on vitamin D levels. In light of the recent findings by Littlejohns and colleagues, [1] disturbed sleep, a long known condition linked to aging, [5] could indirectly contribute to the development of dementia and Alzheimer disease.
1. Littlejohns TJ, Henley WE, Lang IA, et al. Vitamin D and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer disease. Neurology Epub 2014 Aug 6.
2. McCarty DE, Chesson AL Jr, Jain SK, Marino AA. The link between vitamin D metabolism and sleep medicine. Sleep Med Rev 2014;18:311-319.
3.Shiue I. Low vitamin D levels in adults with longer time to fall asleep: US NHANES, 2005-2006. Int J Cardiol 2013;168:5074-5075.
4. McCarty DE, Reddy A, Keigley Q, et al. Vitamin D, race, and excessive daytime sleepiness. J Clin Sleep Med 2012;8:693-697.
5. Ancoli-Israel S. Sleep and its disorders in aging populations. Sleep Med 2009;10:S7-11.
In addition to an increasingly large number of humans spending most daytime hours indoors, sleep deprivation is common place in modern society. In this regard, studies demonstrated anatomic and epidemiological connections between sleep problems and vitamin D deficiency. [2] Of importance, low vitamin D levels seem to be significantly associated with longer time to fall asleep [3] and excessive daytime sleepiness, [4] underlying conditions in sleep restricted individuals.
Although the cause and consequence between sleep impairment and vitamin D deficiency is not yet fully elucidated, this suggests a bidirectional relationship. We propose chronically restricted sleep as a potential trigger for inadequate vitamin D in modern society. To date, no studies specifically addressed the effects of sleep deprivation on vitamin D levels. In light of the recent findings by Littlejohns and colleagues, [1] disturbed sleep, a long known condition linked to aging, [5] could indirectly contribute to the development of dementia and Alzheimer disease.
1. Littlejohns TJ, Henley WE, Lang IA, et al. Vitamin D and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer disease. Neurology Epub 2014 Aug 6.
2. McCarty DE, Chesson AL Jr, Jain SK, Marino AA. The link between vitamin D metabolism and sleep medicine. Sleep Med Rev 2014;18:311-319.
3.Shiue I. Low vitamin D levels in adults with longer time to fall asleep: US NHANES, 2005-2006. Int J Cardiol 2013;168:5074-5075.
4. McCarty DE, Reddy A, Keigley Q, et al. Vitamin D, race, and excessive daytime sleepiness. J Clin Sleep Med 2012;8:693-697.
5. Ancoli-Israel S. Sleep and its disorders in aging populations. Sleep Med 2009;10:S7-11.
For disclosures, contact the editorial office at [email protected].