Vitamin D lowers blood pressure in seniors, but not in excess
According to new research published in the "Journal of the Endocrine Society," vitamin D supplementation can lower blood pressure in older and obese individuals. However, the principle "the more, the better" does not apply. Exceeding the recommended doses of vitamin D does not provide additional health benefits.
9:16 AM EST, November 13, 2024
Vitamin D synthesis in the body depends on exposure to UV radiation (290-320 nm), which is not always feasible in various geographical regions and at all times of the year. Even a balanced diet often does not provide enough of this vitamin, making supplementation advisable. For adults, doses of 800 to 2000 units per day are recommended, with prolonged intake of over 4000 units potentially being harmful.
Global vitamin D deficiency is linked to a range of conditions, including heart diseases, immune disorders, infections, and cancers. Previous studies suggested a connection between a vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of hypertension, though definitive evidence that its supplementation reduces blood pressure was lacking.
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 studies on 221 older individuals with obesity. Participants took vitamin D supplements for a year at doses of either 600 IU/day or 3750 IU/day. The results indicated that supplementation helped lower 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.
As she emphasized, high doses of vitamin D, compared to the daily dose recommended by the IOM, "did not provide additional health benefits."
The greatest benefits from supplementation were observed in obese individuals and those with low levels of vitamin D. The study confirmed that exceeding recommended doses does not enhance therapeutic effects, underscoring the importance of using appropriate amounts of vitamin D, especially in at-risk groups.
The results of this study could be significant for the prevention and treatment of hypertension, particularly among older and obese individuals.
Of course, vitamin D can also be obtained from natural sources. It is found, among others, in cheese, marine fish, eggs, vegetable oils, milk, and dairy products.
However, vitamin D can be found not only in food—it is also produced in the skin through sunlight exposure. Unfortunately, this is feasible only in the summer.
