Snoring at night? Low vitamin D might be playing a role

Snoring is often dismissed as a harmless habit or blamed on sleeping position, weight, or nasal congestion. But emerging research suggests there may be a less obvious contributor quietly influencing nighttime breathing: low vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D is best known for its role in bone health, but its influence extends far beyond that. It plays a crucial part in muscle strength, nerve signalling, and inflammation control — all of which are directly connected to how the airway functions during sleep.

A growing body of scientific evidence shows that vitamin D deficiency is associated with impaired muscle performance. The muscles that keep the upper airway open during sleep rely on proper neuromuscular control.

When these muscles relax too much, airflow becomes turbulent, causing the vibration of soft tissues in the throat — what we hear as snoring. Weakened or poorly functioning muscles can increase this collapse, especially during deep sleep.

Inflammation adds another layer to the problem. Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties, and its deficiency has been linked to higher levels of systemic inflammation. Research published in Frontiers in Neurology and indexed on PubMed Central suggests that chronic inflammation can affect upper airway tissues, making them more swollen and prone to obstruction during sleep. This narrowing of the airway increases the likelihood and intensity of snoring.

One comprehensive review, published in 2023, examined the relationship between vitamin D deficiency, muscle dysfunction, and sleep-related breathing disorders. The authors noted that low vitamin D levels were associated with increased risk of upper airway collapse and poorer neuromuscular control, mechanisms closely tied to snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea.

While the study does not claim vitamin D deficiency directly causes snoring, it highlights a meaningful biological pathway that helps explain the connection.

Vitamin D deficiency is widespread, even in sunny regions. Urban lifestyles, indoor work, limited sun exposure, air pollution, and dietary gaps all contribute. Many people with low vitamin D levels experience no obvious symptoms, making the deficiency easy to overlook.

Addressing low vitamin D is not a standalone cure for snoring, nor does it replace evaluation for conditions like sleep apnoea. However, clinicians increasingly recognise that correcting deficiency may improve muscle tone, reduce inflammation, and support better airway stability during sleep for some individuals.

Checking vitamin D levels requires a simple blood test. If levels are low, doctors may recommend controlled sun exposure, vitamin D-rich foods such as fatty fish and fortified products, or supplementation based on individual needs.

Snoring is often the body’s way of signalling that something isn’t quite right. In some cases, the issue may not be in the nose or pillow — but in a nutrient the body quietly depends on to keep breathing smoothly through the night.

Header illustration — LillyCantabile /Pixabay

This article was originally published on The Daily Star, an ANN partner of Dawn.

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