A new study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society reveals that vitamin D supplements could significantly lower blood pressure in older adults with obesity. Researchers found that while any dose above the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation did not provide added benefits, regular supplementation proved beneficial for specific subgroups.
A new study has found that vitamin D supplements may lower blood pressure in older adults with obesity. The research, led by the American University of Beirut Medical Center and published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, indicates that adhering to the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) daily recommended dose of 600 International Units (IU) can offer significant benefits without the need for higher doses.
Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide health concern, linked to various serious conditions, including heart disease, immunological diseases, infections and cancer.
Previous studies have hinted at a connection between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of hypertension, but the evidence for vitamin D’s role in managing blood pressure has been inconclusive — until now.
“Our study found vitamin D supplementation may decrease blood pressure in specific subgroups such as older people, people with obesity, and possibly those with low vitamin D levels,” corresponding author Ghada El-Hajj Fuleihan, a professor of medicine at the American University of Beirut, said in a news release.
The researchers monitored 221 older adults with obesity who took either 600 IU/day or 3,750 IU/day of vitamin D supplements over an entire year. They observed that vitamin D significantly lowered blood pressure in these participants.
Crucially, the study also discovered that higher doses of the vitamin did not yield additional health benefits compared to the IOM’s recommended daily dose.
The finding is crucial for those in the at-risk groups, particularly people with obesity and those with low levels of vitamin D. It suggests that a standard dose can be both effective and safe, shifting the focus from high-dose interventions to more sustainable, routine supplementation practices.
The implications of this study are far-reaching. Vitamin D’s potential in managing blood pressure, especially in older adults with obesity, could influence future health guidelines and public health policies. It stresses the importance of adequate vitamin D intake through diet, supplements or sunlight exposure.