Can vitamin D supplements help lower blood pressure? Tatjana Zlatkovic/Stocksy Vitamin D supplements are associated with many health benefits, including reduced chance of heart disease, supporting immune function, and promoting weight loss. I am. New research suggests that calcium and vitamin D supplements may have particularly high blood pressure-lowering effects. However, this study shows that taking more than the recommended amount of vitamin D or exceeding the daily dose provides no additional benefit.
According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, the recommended daily intake of 600 international units (IU) or 15 micrograms of vitamin D is recommended for older adults between the ages of 51 and 70, and 800 IU or 20 micrograms of the vitamin for those over 70 years of age. D intake is recommended.
This study adds to the growing body of evidence regarding vitamin D’s many health benefits, particularly for cardiovascular and metabolic health.
This research was supported by funding from the Fogarty International Center and the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American University of Beirut, Saint Joseph’s University, the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research, the Mayo Clinic, and Odense University. Ta. University hospital.
In this double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT), researchers tested 221 adults aged 65 and older who had a BMI of 25 or higher and were considered overweight or obese.
Also, their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are between 10 and 30ng/mL, which indicates either “inadequate” vitamin D levels (<30ng/mL) or vitamin D deficiency (<20ng/mL). It shows.
All participants received 250 mg of calcium citrate daily. Regarding vitamin D intake, the participants were divided into two groups: the “low-dose group” received 600 IU per day along with a placebo pill, and the “high-dose group” received 3,750 IU per day. Researchers observed participants for one year.
At the end of the study, researchers found that vitamin D supplementation helped lower blood pressure.
Although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups, on average, participants had a 3.5 mm Hg decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and a 2.8 mm Hg decrease in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after 1 year. decreased slightly. People in the high-dose vitamin D group experienced a slightly greater reduction than the low-dose vitamin D group.
The researchers also found no particular benefit when participants took higher doses of vitamin D.
The researchers observed that of all participants, those who were obese and those with low vitamin D levels benefited the most from vitamin D supplementation.
Michelle Ruthenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, a preventive cardiology nutritionist and heart health expert at EntirelyNourished.com, who was not involved in the study, said that calcium and vitamins in the blood The study results are not surprising given the role of D.pressure regulation.
Dr. Ruthenstein explained how vitamin D affects blood pressure:
“Vitamin D is involved in the regulation of the renin-angiotensin system, which plays an important role in controlling blood pressure. Low vitamin D levels tend to increase the secretion of renin, which increases the activation of this system. It can cause your blood pressure to rise.”
“It also contains calcium, which is known to support blood pressure regulation through its effects on blood vessel function. Calcium contributes to lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and helping them maintain proper tone.” “I do,” she told Medical News Today.
One of the key findings from this study is that there is no additional benefit for cardiovascular health from taking more than the recommended dose of vitamin D.
Mr. Rutenstein commented on this as follows:
“Many people think more is always better, but when it comes to nutrients, it’s important to find the best balance for your body, taking into account factors such as test results, diet, and medical history. The goal is to Get enough to meet your needs, not too little, not too much.”
She also cautioned against taking vitamin D supplements in higher doses than necessary for long periods of time.
“For vitamin D, which is fat-soluble, it can be toxic if taken in high doses over long periods of time. That’s why it’s important to check your vitamin D levels to make sure you’re getting the right amount for your health. is important,” she told MNT.
On the subject of choosing the right vitamin D supplement, Rosenstein emphasized that not all supplements are created equal.
“(M)all contain oil and can spoil if exposed to heat during storage or transportation,” she said.
“Vitamin D is fat-soluble, so taking it with a meal that contains fat increases absorption and makes it more effective,” she added.
This study has several limitations, particularly regarding sample size, diversity, and baseline comorbidities.
Participants were primarily older adults (mean age 71.1 years) with high BMI (mean BMI 30.2). Additionally, only nine participants engaged in regular physical activity.
These may limit the generalizability of the results of this study to other populations and age groups. The same is true for the racial or ethnic diversity of research participants. This may mean that the findings may not be applicable to larger, more diverse populations.
Participants also had a high prevalence of comorbidities such as hypertension, with 48% of participants receiving treatment with antihypertensive medications. Additionally, some people started treatment after participating in the study. However, detailed analysis showed that starting antihypertensive drugs did not change the overall results of the study. This may also affect the generalizability of these results to individuals without hypertension.
