Vitamin D study reveals link to blood pressure reduction
As new research published in the "Journal of the Endocrine Society" reveals, vitamin D supplementation may help lower blood pressure in older and obese individuals. However, the idea that "the more, the better" does not apply here. Exceeding the recommended doses of vitamin D does not provide additional health benefits.
The synthesis of vitamin D in the body depends on exposure to UV radiation (290-320 nm), which isn’t always achievable across different geographical regions and throughout the year. Even with a balanced diet, obtaining adequate amounts of this vitamin is often challenging, which is why supplementation is advised. For adults, recommended doses range from 800 to 2,000 IU per day, with long-term use above 4,000 IU potentially being hazardous.
Globally, vitamin D deficiency is linked to a variety of diseases, such as heart disease, immune disorders, infections, and cancers. Past studies have suggested a connection between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of hypertension, but there has been insufficient evidence that supplementation affects lowering blood pressure.
Vitamin D supplementation: Study on 221 older individuals
A team of scientists from Lebanon, the USA, and Saudi Arabia, led by Dr. Ghada El-Hajj Fuleihan from the American University of Beirut Medical Center, conducted a study on 221 older individuals with obesity. Participants took vitamin D supplements for a year in doses of 600 IU/day or 3,750 IU/day. The results indicated that supplementation contributed to lowering their blood pressure.
Our study found vitamin D supplementation may decrease blood pressure in specific subgroups such older people, people with obesity and possibly those with low vitamin D levels, said Dr. Ghada El-Hajj Fuleihan from the American University of Beirut Medical Center in Beirut.
She emphasized that high doses of vitamin D compared to the recommended daily dose by the IOM "did not bring additional health benefits."
The greatest benefits from supplementation were observed in obese individuals and those with low vitamin D levels. The study confirmed that exceeding the recommended doses does not increase therapeutic effects, highlighting the importance of using appropriate amounts of vitamin D, especially in at-risk groups.
The results of this study may be significant for the prevention and treatment of hypertension, especially among older and obese populations.
However, sources of D can also be found outside of food—it is produced in the skin when exposed to sunlight. Unfortunately, this option is only available during the summer.
