Folate may protect against OSAThe relation of dietary components with severity of obstructive sleep apnea in Cypriot patients: A randomized, stratified epidemiological study.
Folate's impact on sleep apnea
We conducted a thorough investigation into how dietary components, particularly folate, relate to the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a group of adults living in Cyprus. Our study included a diverse sample of 303 participants aged over 18, who completed detailed food frequency and physical activity questionnaires, along with undergoing sleep studies to assess OSA severity.
In our analysis, we found that patients with more severe OSA, identified by a higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), had significant characteristics such as increased body mass index (BMI) and higher caloric intake. Interestingly, those with moderate to severe OSA reported higher folic acid consumption compared to those with milder forms of the condition.
This suggests that while greater energy intake appears to correlate with more severe OSA, a higher intake of folate may offer some protective benefits. However, it’s essential to note that we did not isolate the effects of folate alone, as other dietary factors were also at play in our findings, making further research necessary to draw stronger conclusions.
Overall, our results point towards the complexity of dietary influences on sleep apnea severity, highlighting folate as a potentially beneficial nutrient alongside other lifestyle factors.
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