Vitamin D and Vertigo - is there a Correlation?

By Cheryl Wylie, MSc (PT)

Research has shown that people with lower levels of Vitamin D may higher tendency of getting Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), and may also have higher recurrence rates.

The reason isn't fully understood, but we know that Vitamin D is essential for maintaining bone health. It is hypothesized that vitamin D may influence the stability of the otoconia (calcium carbonate crystals) and reducing the risk of their dislodgement, which is a characteristic feature of BPPV. Thus low levels of vitamin D will result in more dislodged otoconia, and increased rates of BPPV.

There is emerging evidence however in the role of Vitamin D supplementation and BPPV recurrence rates. ⁣In a study published in Neurology in 2020, researchers were able to show that taking Vitamin D and Calcium supplements reduced the recurrence of BPPV by an average of 24% over a one year period. ⁣

And the lower your Vitamin D levels were, the more beneficial the supplement seemed to be. At the lowest level of 10ng/mL, Vitamin D supplements reduced peoples recurrence of BPPV by 45%!⁣

It's essential to approach any supplementation with vitamin D under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Vitamin D levels can be assessed through blood tests, and supplementation should be tailored to an individual's specific needs.

Also keep in mind that BPPV is a multifactorial condition, and other factors, including age, head trauma, inner ear infections, and genetic predisposition, may contribute to its development and recurrence rates. The relationship between vitamin D and BPPV is likely one piece of a larger puzzle, and addressing other contributing factors is also important.