In African-Americans, intake of vitamin D supplements was found to reduce blood pressure, report researchers.
In the prospective trial, a three-month regimen of daily vitamin D increased circulating blood levels of vitamin D and resulted in a decrease in systolic blood pressure ranging from .7 to four mmHg (depending upon the dose given), compared with no change in participants who received a placebo. Systolic blood pressure, the top and highest number in a reading, is pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. Diastolic blood pressure, the bottom and lower number, is pressure in the arteries between heart beats.
Quiz on Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is an important vital sign. Answer this Quiz and learn more about blood pressure.
Advertisement
"Although this needs to be studied further, the greater prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among African-Americans may explain in part some of the racial disparity in blood pressure," said John P. Forman, M.D., M.Sc., lead author of the study and Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Renal Division and Kidney Clinical Research Institute at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Mass.African-Americans have higher rates of hypertension and lower levels of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol) than the rest of the U.S. population.
Few studies have included enough African-Americans to determine whether vitamin D supplements might reduce the racial disparity.To explore this, researchers from seven major teaching hospitals conducted a four-arm, randomized, double-blinded study of 250 black adults. They tested blood pressure after a three-month regimen of daily vitamin D supplementation at one of three doses, and compared the findings with a group taking placebo vitamins:
![Indians Deficient in Vitamin D: IMCR]( "Indians Deficient in Vitamin D: IMCR")
People in India are deficient in Vitamin D despite ample sunlight. The Rajya Sabha was informed that this is leading to problems like weaker bones among the population.
Furthermore, diastolic blood pressure didn't change in any of the four groups.In prospective studies, lower blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D have been independently linked with an increased risk of developing hypertension. "If vitamin D supplementation lowered blood pressure among African-Americans, its widespread use could have major public health benefits," said Andrew T. Chan, M.D., M.P.H., co-author of the study and Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Source: Eurekalert
- Taking 1,000 units of vitamin D each day for three months was associated with a .7 mm Hg decrease in systolic blood pressure.
- Taking 2,000 units was linked to a 3.4 mm Hg decrease.
- Taking 4,000 units netted a 4 mm Hg drop.
- Participants taking placebo supplements had an average increase of 1.7 mm Hg.
Indians Deficient in Vitamin D: IMCR
People in India are deficient in Vitamin D despite ample sunlight. The Rajya Sabha was informed that this is leading to problems like weaker bones among the population.
Advertisement
Furthermore, diastolic blood pressure didn't change in any of the four groups.In prospective studies, lower blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D have been independently linked with an increased risk of developing hypertension. "If vitamin D supplementation lowered blood pressure among African-Americans, its widespread use could have major public health benefits," said Andrew T. Chan, M.D., M.P.H., co-author of the study and Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Source: Eurekalert
FDA Panel Says Benefits of Vitamin D Supplements Questionable in Postmenopausal Women
A federal panel with the FDA has backed the health regulator's recommendation against taking vitamin D and calcium supplements.
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest Research News
The discovery deepens our understanding of m6A biology and stress granule formation, with implications for neurodegenerative diseases.
Trouble with sleep and the body's clock may increase your risk for Parkinson's, as per a new study.
New study uncovers a link between nocturnal hot flashes and Alzheimer's risk in menopausal women, suggesting a potential biomarker.
Our discovery revealed that a minority of individuals attributed their chronic pain to their brain's involvement.
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport syndrome is overlooked by athletes and can be worsened by 'sports culture' due to its perceived short-term performance benefits.
