A new study, published online in the medical journal Neurology, has found that taking vitamin D and calcium twice a day could reduce your risk of getting vertigo again.
Study author Dr. Ji Soo Kim of Seoul National University College of Medicine in Korea said, “Our study suggests that for people with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, taking a supplement of vitamin D and calcium is a simple, low-risk way to prevent vertigo from recurring.”
“It is especially effective if you have low vitamin D levels, to begin with,” he added.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) occurs when there is a change in head position, giving you a sudden spinning sensation. It is one of the most common types of vertigo.
BPPV treatment includes performing a series of head movements that help shift particles in the ears that cause vertigo. However, the condition tends to recur frequently. More than 86% of people with BPPV say the condition interrupts their daily life, causing them to miss days at work.
The study examined over 950 people in Korea with BPPV who were treated successfully with the head movements. They were divided into two groups – intervention and observation.
Some participants with vitamin D deficiency were given supplements of vitamin D and calcium twice a day, while others were not given the supplements.
The group that received the supplements had a lower recurrence rate of vertigo episodes for at least a year compared to those who were not given vitamin D and calcium.
Dr. Kim said, “Our results are exciting because so far, going to the doctor to have them perform head movements has been the main way we treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.”
“Our study suggests an inexpensive, low-risk treatment like vitamin D and calcium tablets may be effective at preventing this common, and commonly recurring, disorder,” he added.
However, the study, which was supported by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare, had a few limitations. One limitation of the study was that many participants did not complete the entire study, with most of them assigned to take the supplements opted out of the study.
