Vitamin D deficiencies are very common in the UK – around one in five adults and one in six children do not get enough vitamin D – so if you’re struggling with your sleep, this could be a good place to start.

This is especially important during the winter months: in the summer, we can get the extra vitamin D we need but don’t get from our diets from the sun, but in winter, the sun isn’t strong enough.

“Vitamin D plays a role in melatonin production pathways, a hormone that helps with the regulation of circadian rhythms and is associated with sleep,” Biggs explains. Melatonin is the hormone that makes us sleepy, so not having enough vitamin D can make it harder to fall asleep and lead to more wakeups during the night.

3. Vitamin B12

Research into the impact vitamin B has on our sleep is still ongoing, but some studies have shown that the B vitamins – of which there are eight – play a role in regulating our wake and sleep patterns. In particular, vitamin B12 has been linked to the production of melatonin.

“If we do not get enough vitamin B it can take a toll on how efficient our wake and sleep processes are and impact the quality of rest we get from our time in bed,” Biggs says.

3 nutrient deficiencies that can impact your sleep quality – and how to manage them