New Delhi: Insomnia these days knows no boundaries of age – be it examination stress or workload, people these days struggle with sleep woes too often. However, stress and depression are not the only two factors to blame for those sleepless nights – they could also happen due to nutritional deficiencies.

Insomnia: The effects on overall health

Inability to get ample, peaceful sleep can result in restlessness and irritability for the day to come. But that’s not all, take a look at other ways sleeplessness can affect overall health:

1. Mood swings
2. Hypertension
3. Increased risk of insulin resistance
4. High risk of diabetes
5. Weight gain
6. Obesity
7. Weak immunity

Are nutrient deficiencies responsible for insomnia?

Just like diet has a role to play in body weight, longevity, and risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic disorders, it can impact insomnia risk as well. And that being said, there are certain deficiencies that could be giving you sleeplessness. Keep reading to find out if you fall in the same group.

1. Vitamin C: Found in abundance in citrus fruits, vitamin C is a powerhouse of antioxidants known for its positive impact on fighting inflammation, strengthening the immune system, bone, and teeth. However, its list of pros extends to include better management of sleep apnea as well. According to a 2009 study, 100 mg of vitamin C along with 400 IU of vitamin E was linked to fewer episodes of sleep apnea. Get your share of this essential nutrient by including orange, berries, peppers, broccoli, lemon, and Brussels sprouts in your diet.
2. Vitamin B6: Our body needs melatonin and serotonin for sound sleep. However, if one is deficient in vitamin B6, the body fails to produce the sleep hormones properly thereby inducing insomnia. To beat vitamin B6 deficiency, include foods like bananas, peanuts, oats, pork, chicken, fish, and turkey in your diet.
3. Vitamin E: For a long time, we have had experts stressing how important vitamin E is for skin and hair health. Yet, rarely does anyone open up on how necessary this nutrient is for your sleep patterns. Additionally, this nutrient helps prevent sleep deprivation-related memory loss and prevents cognitive decline in the long run. To get your share of vitamin E, include foods like almonds, sunflower oil and seeds, pumpkin, collard greens, spinach, and red bell peppers in your diet.
4. Vitamin D: Vitamin D or the sunshine vitamin is popularly known as the nutrient that helps keep bones strong, but not many know how this one could help regulate mood and prevent inflammation as well. But now, there is growing research that sheds light on how this nutrient can help with sleep patterns as well. According to a study, being deficient in vitamin D is linked to shorter sleep duration. Fret not as you can make up for this deficiency naturally by sitting in the sun, eating mushrooms, salmon, sardines, egg yolk, and fortified foods.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.