Scientists from Chungnam National University have found that vitamin D and calcium supplements may help reduce the recurrence of vertigo.
The study was conducted by Seong-Hae Jeong and colleagues and published in Neurology.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of vertigo—the sudden feeling that you or your surroundings are spinning.
It can lead to brief episodes of mild to severe dizziness and is usually triggered by specific head movements.
While BPPV often resolves on its own within weeks or months, some people experience repeated episodes.
Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining strong bones and overall health. It increases the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the small intestine, helps regulate blood calcium levels, and supports the strength of the skeleton.
It also contributes to proper muscle function, which may help reduce the risk of falls. Calcium and vitamin D work together: calcium builds and maintains bone structure, while vitamin D ensures the body can effectively absorb it.
In this study, researchers examined whether supplementing vitamin D and calcium could help prevent the recurrence of BPPV.
The team analyzed data from eight hospitals collected between December 2013 and May 2017. Patients with confirmed BPPV were placed into either an intervention group or an observation group.
Participants in the intervention group received vitamin D (400 IU) and calcium carbonate (500 mg) twice a day for one year, but only if their baseline vitamin D level was lower than 20 ng/mL.
Those in the observation group continued with routine follow-ups and did not receive additional vitamin D testing or supplementation.
When the researchers compared outcomes between the two groups, they found that patients who took vitamin D and calcium had a lower risk of vertigo recurrence. The proportion of people experiencing repeated episodes was also smaller in the supplement group than in the observation group.
Based on these findings, the researchers suggest that vitamin D and calcium supplementation may be a simple, low-risk strategy for reducing vertigo recurrences, particularly in people who experience frequent episodes or have low vitamin D levels. For individuals struggling with BPPV, ensuring adequate vitamin D and calcium intake could be a helpful preventive approach.
