Risk and severity of obstructive sleep apnea not increased by low vitamin D

New findings uncovered that a vitamin D deficiency in older men does not increase the risk of worsening obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Senior investigator, Ken Kunisaki, M.D., said, “The link between obesity and vitamin D deficiency can be explained a number of ways, one of which is that obese individuals are less likely to be physically active, thereby limiting their sun exposure.”

“Although our study was not designed to figure out why obese people have lower vitamin D levels, our results ultimately suggest that low vitamin D levels do not cause or worsen OSA. Therefore, taking additional vitamin D supplements is not likely to prevent or improve OSA,” added Dr. Kunisaki.

The same findings were also true in non-obese men, meaning a vitamin D deficiency didn’t increase the risk of OSA.

The study analyzed data from 2,827 generally healthy men with an average age of 76.4 years.

Source:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-12/ats