Have any supplements been studied for obstructive sleep apnea?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    Antioxidants have been studied for OSA, since it is associated with increased levels of oxidative stress. Although oxidative stress is reduced by CPAP therapy[1], the relationship between antioxidant levels in the body and OSA isn’t well-understood.[2]. One small cohort study noted an improvement in OSA symptoms after 8 weeks vitamin D supplementation in participants with mild OSA and low vitamin D levels at the start of the trial.[3] This particular study lacked appropriate blinding and controls to yield conclusive results, however, and studies examining associations between vitamin D levels and OSA have reported inconsistent results.[4] Nitrate supplements have also been studied for OSA, and were found in one randomized crossover trial to reduce the OSA-induced increase in early-morning blood pressure.[5]

    References

    1. ^Christou K, Kostikas K, Pastaka C, Tanou K, Antoniadou I, Gourgoulianis KINasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment reduces systemic oxidative stress in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.Sleep Med.(2009-Jan)
    2. ^Baldwin CM, Bootzin RR, Schwenke DC, Quan SFAntioxidant nutrient intake and supplements as potential moderators of cognitive decline and cardiovascular disease in obstructive sleep apnea.Sleep Med Rev.(2005-Dec)
    3. ^Ayyıldız F, Yıldıran H, Afandiyeva N, Gülbahar Ö, Köktürk OThe effects of vitamin D supplemantation on prognosis in patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.Turk J Med Sci.(2021-Oct-21)
    4. ^Archontogeorgis K, Nena E, Papanas N, Steiropoulos PThe role of vitamin D in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.Breathe (Sheff).(2018-Sep)
    5. ^Bock JM, Hanson BE, Asama TF, Feider AJ, Hanada S, Aldrich AW, Dyken ME, Casey DPAcute inorganic nitrate supplementation and the hypoxic ventilatory response in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.J Appl Physiol (1985).(2021-Jan-01)