Vitamin D Deficiency & Excessive Sleepiness

Your body needs a variety of vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. Vitamin D ensures that your bones stay strong and facilitates cell growth. Failing to get enough vitamin D can cause numerous medical problems that can seriously impact your overall health. Discuss your excessive sleepiness, diet and lifestyle with a physician to determine whether you have a vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Failing to get enough vitamin D occurs when you do not have access to sunlight or you fail to eat foods that contain the vitamin. If your body does not have enough vitamin D, you may be unable to absorb enough calcium. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include soft bones, bone pain and muscle weakness. Some research suggests having too little vitamin D can cause excessive sleepiness. However, fatigue, weakness and sleepiness are also symptoms of taking too much vitamin D.

Scientific Evidence

A case study conducted by David McCarty, a physician and sleep medicine expert at the Louisiana State University Health Center, suggests a link between excessive sleepiness and vitamin D deficiency. The case study, published in the December 2010 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine," focused on a 28-year-old woman with excessive daytime sleepiness and chronic fatigue. After finding that she was deficient in vitamin D, McCarty supplemented her vitamin intake with 50,000 IU of vitamin D per week. The woman's symptoms improved after two weeks of vitamin D supplementation. Although this case study suggests that vitamin D deficiency may cause excessive sleepiness, more scientific research is needed to draw firm conclusions about the relationship between vitamin D and sleep.

Recommended Intake

If you are under 70 years of age, you should get 600 IU of vitamin D per day. Individuals over 70 years old need 800 IU per day. You can get vitamin D by going outside in the sunlight or by eating foods fortified with the vitamin, such as milk. Before taking supplements or changing your diet, talk to your doctor about your excessive sleepiness to see if a vitamin D deficiency may be the problem.

Other Causes

Although vitamin D deficiency may cause excessive sleepiness, other medical conditions may contribute to the problem. Frequently changing your bedtime, staying up late watching television, drinking alcohol and other lifestyle choices can cause daytime sleepiness. Other causes of sleepiness include lung problems, nighttime breathing problems and certain psychiatric conditions. Discuss your sleep habits with a doctor or sleep specialist to determine whether vitamin D deficiency or another medical problem causes your excessive sleepiness.

Vitamin D Deficiency & Excessive Sleepiness