Researchers in Sudan studied 238 adults and found that people who snore regularly had lower vitamin D levels in their blood compared to those who don’t snore. About 75% of snorers had vitamin D deficiency, while only 61% of non-snorers were deficient. The study suggests that having enough vitamin D in your body might help reduce snoring. While this doesn’t prove that taking vitamin D will stop snoring, it shows an interesting connection between this important vitamin and sleep quality that deserves more research.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether people who snore have different vitamin D levels compared to people who don’t snore
  • Who participated: 238 adults from northern Sudan - 98 people who snore regularly and 140 people who don’t snore, matched by age and gender
  • Key finding: People who snore had about 10% lower vitamin D levels, and were nearly twice as likely to have vitamin D deficiency
  • What it means for you: Getting enough vitamin D might help with snoring, but more research is needed before making specific recommendations

The Research Details

This was a case-control study, which means researchers compared two groups of people - those with a condition (snorers) and those without it (non-snorers). They matched participants by age and gender to make fair comparisons. All participants had blood tests to measure their vitamin D levels and filled out questionnaires about their health and lifestyle. The researchers used statistical methods to see if vitamin D levels were different between the two groups.

This type of study design is good for finding associations between health conditions and potential risk factors. By matching participants for age and gender, the researchers could focus on vitamin D as the main difference between groups.

The study was published in a respected scientific journal and used proper statistical methods. However, it only shows an association, not that low vitamin D causes snoring. The sample size was moderate, and all participants were from one region in Sudan.

What the Results Show

People who snore had significantly lower vitamin D levels in their blood - about 14.0 ng/ml compared to 15.6 ng/ml in non-snorers. While this difference seems small, it was statistically significant. The researchers found that for every 1 ng/ml increase in vitamin D levels, the odds of snoring decreased by about 4%. Additionally, 74.5% of snorers had vitamin D deficiency (levels below 20 ng/ml) compared to 60.7% of non-snorers. People with vitamin D deficiency were nearly twice as likely to snore regularly.

Interestingly, other factors that are often linked to snoring - like age, gender, education level, and body weight - were not significantly different between snorers and non-snorers in this study. This suggests that vitamin D might play a unique role in snoring that’s independent of these other common factors.

This study adds to a small but growing body of research suggesting connections between vitamin D and sleep disorders. Previous studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to sleep apnea and other sleep problems, but this is one of the first to specifically look at snoring in a community setting.

The study only included people from one region in Sudan, so results might not apply to other populations. It’s also a snapshot in time, so we can’t tell if low vitamin D leads to snoring or if snoring somehow affects vitamin D levels. The study didn’t measure how severe the snoring was or look at other sleep factors.

The Bottom Line

While this research is interesting, it’s too early to recommend vitamin D supplements specifically for snoring. However, maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is important for overall health. Consider getting your vitamin D level checked if you have persistent snoring, especially if you have other risk factors for deficiency.

People who snore regularly, especially those living in areas with limited sunlight or who have other risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Healthcare providers treating patients with sleep disorders might also find this information useful.

If vitamin D does help with snoring, improvements would likely take several weeks to months of maintaining adequate levels, similar to other vitamin D health benefits.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your snoring frequency and intensity alongside vitamin D levels if tested, noting any changes over time
  • Monitor sun exposure and vitamin D-rich food intake while tracking sleep quality and snoring patterns
  • Log snoring episodes, sleep quality scores, and any vitamin D supplementation to identify potential patterns over 2-3 months

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Consult with a healthcare provider before making changes to your vitamin D intake or if you have persistent snoring or sleep problems.