Vertigo and This Common Vitamin Deficiency

Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP

A study in the journal Neurology explained that many who suffer with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) may discover that a vitamin D deficiency may be at the root of the illness.

BPPV develops when crystals in your inner ear that make you sensitive to gravity become dislodged causing that so common dizziness and nausea.

Symptoms are usually triggered by changes in your head's position when you lie down or sit up. Around 1.6% of Americans experience BPPV annually.

The most common treatments are Epley and Semont maneuvers which provide an 80% cure rate. They work by moving the troubling crystal into a more stable location.

Although the above common treatments have a high success rate, the BPPV often recurs causing disability and much frustration.

Thanks to researchers at Seoul National University College of Medicine, it has been found that taking 500 IU of vitamin D and 500 mg of calcium twice daily can reduce annual recurrence by 45% if a patient has a vitamin D blood level below 10 nanograms per milliliter, and by 14% if his or her D level is 10-20 ng/mL.

The overall prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency was 41.6%, with the highest rate seen in blacks (82.1%), followed by Hispanics (69.2%).

We think the sedentary, indoor lifestyle of most Americans makes it more likely to have a vitamin D deficiency.

I personally like to see Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy levels between 60 ng/ml to 80 ng/ml.

FROM SECOND OPINION PHYSICIAN

from Second Opinion Physician

If you experience ongoing or intermittent dizziness, ask your doctor about the Epley and Semont maneuvers. Then get a vitamin D blood test and start taking supplements if your level is low.

I also recommend taking vitamin D with K2.

Also do not overlook the benefits of short periods of sunlight on the skin and eye (retina). I recommend at least 15 minutes a day.

** Always consult with a physician or healthcare practitioner with significant training in nutritional, integrative and/or functional medicine before taking a new supplement.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4913711/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-96445-x
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35878631/
https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/3811
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2022.915239/full
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2772275
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21310306/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5613455/ ;

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