Key information
- Vitamin D supplementation led to lower blood pressure in participants.
- Higher doses of vitamin D did not provide additional benefits for blood pressure control.
- People with higher BMI showed greater reductions in blood pressure.
A new study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society examined the impact of vitamin D supplementation on blood pressure in older adults, particularly those who are obese.
The study involved 221 participants divided into two groups: one receiving 600 IU of vitamin D per day and the other 3,750 IU per day for one year. Both doses are below the Institute of Medicine’s recommended upper limit of 4,000 IU per day.
Study results
After a year, both groups experienced a drop in blood pressure. Those who took 600 IU per day saw an average reduction of 2.8 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure and 2.5 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure. The group receiving the higher dose of 3,750 IU per day saw slightly greater reductions, with 4.2 mm Hg for systolic blood pressure.
Although the differences between the two dosage groups were not statistically significant, people with higher BMIs (over 30) showed greater reductions in blood pressure, particularly those taking the highest dose of the vitamin. D. Additionally, participants who used blood pressure medications along with their vitamin D supplements also reported significant reductions in overall blood pressure.
Conclusion and recommendations
The study authors concluded that daily vitamin D supplementation, regardless of dosage, led to a reduction in blood pressure in participants. However, they noted that higher doses did not provide additional benefits for blood pressure control.
Dr. Ghada El-Hajj Fuleihan, lead author of the study at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, emphasized that “more vitamin D is not better in terms of blood pressure.” She recommends consulting a healthcare professional for personalized advice on vitamin D supplementation.
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