Implications for practice and research

• Large-scale longitudinal observational and randomised controlled trials are needed to better elucidate the relationship between vitamin D, sleep and cognitive function in older adults.

• The health benefits of adequate vitamin D intake and recommendations on efficient vitamin D intake from food and supplements need to be incorporated into healthcare provider’s routine health education for older adults/family members.

Context

Substantial evidence in recent years has linked both vitamin D deficiency and poor sleep to cognitive dysfunctions in the older adult population.1 A handful of studies have also associated vitamin D deficiency with sleep disturbances in older adults.2 It is likely that sleep plays an important role in the association …