We conducted a pilot study to see how vitamin D3 supplementation impacts individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Our double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involved 19 Caucasian adults with OSA, some of whom were already using continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) therapy.
Over a 15-week period, participants took either 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 or a placebo. We assessed various outcomes, including drowsiness, quality of life, fatigue levels, and cognitive function. While we observed a significant increase in vitamin D levels among those who received the supplement, we found that it did not improve symptoms related to sleepiness, quality of life, or cognitive performance.
Interestingly, we did notice a decrease in certain metabolic markers, suggesting that vitamin D3 may play a role in improving metabolic health among OSA patients. Overall, while vitamin D3 showed promise in enhancing metabolic parameters, it didn’t seem to alleviate the primary symptoms of OSA. Our findings pave the way for larger studies to further explore these effects.