The Effects of Even One Night of Poor Sleep

Vitamin A does not directly promote sleep, but it does work indirectly to promote sleep and circadian rhythm. Vitamin A regulates both circadian rhythm and brain signaling. It also regulates eye function and light perception. If you get either too little or too much Vitamin A, both can affect sleep quality.

In some studies, Vitamin A deficiency has been associated with poorer sleep or disrupted circadian rhythms. Conversely, extremely high Vitamin A intake can actually cause problems such as headache, dizziness, irritability, and disturbed sleep.

Many Americans take sleep aids, but those are just a bandaid that treat symptoms. Vitamin A is actually more supportive of normal physiological regulation compared to sleep aids.

Vitamin D also indirectly supports sleep, as does Vitamin B6 and magnesium.

Sleepless Nights

Vitamin A can keep you from having sleepless nights. Did you know that one sleepless night immediately triggers impaired cognitive function? Your memory, focus and judgement can be impaired, and you can also have emotional instability as well as increased anxiety and irritability. Physiologically, lack of sleep can reduce reaction time, elevate stress hormones, and trigger the brain to retain harmful amyloid and tau proteins that are normally cleared during sleep.

Lack of sleep causes a hyperactive amygdala, the part of the brain that regulates emotions. Continued lack of sleep can even lead to temporary hallucinations or delusions. Lack of sleep can definitely cause brain fog, which means lowered cognitive ability, inability to focus, and impaired memory consolidation. Physical effects include slowed reaction times comparable to alcohol intoxication. This is why driving while sleepy is the same as driving while intoxicated. Lack of sleep can reduce physical energy and weaken immune function. When you get healthy sleep, your brain functions optimally to wash out toxins; when it doesn’t, you have an increased risk of inflammation.