• Vitamin D supplements are linked to many health benefits, including lowering the chance of heart disease, supporting immune function, and aiding weight loss.
• New research suggests that calcium and Vitamin D supplements may have a blood pressure-lowering effect, especially for older adults who are overweight or obese.
• However, the study indicates that taking more than recommended and exceeding the daily dose of vitamin D does not create any additional benefit..

According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, older adults ages 51 to 70 are recommended 600 international units (IU) or 15 mcg of vitamin D dailywhile those aged 70 and over are recommended an intake of 800 IU or 20 mcg.

This study adds to the growing evidence of vitamin D’s many health benefits, particularly circulatory and metabolic health.

The study received financial support from the Fogarty International Center and the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American University of Beirut, Saint Joseph University, the Lebanese National Scientific Research Council, the Mayo Clinic, and Odense. University Hospital.

In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT), researchers looked at 221 adults aged 65 or older who had a BMI over 25 and were considered overweight or obese.

They also had a serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level between 10 and 30 ng/mL, indicating either “insufficient” vitamin D levels (below 30/mL) or vitamin D deficiency (below 20 ng/ml).

All participants received 250 mg of calcium citrate daily. For vitamin D intake, they were divided into two groups: the “low-dose group” took 600 IU/day along with placebo pills, and the “high-dose group” took 3,750 IU/day. The researchers observed the participants for a year.

At the end of the study, the researchers found that vitamin D supplementation helped lower blood pressure.

Although there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups, on average, participants experienced a 3.5 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and a modest reduction of 2.8 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after one year. Those in the high-dose vitamin D group experienced a slightly greater reduction than those in the low-dose vitamin D group.

The researchers also saw no additional benefit in participants who took a higher dose of vitamin D.

Among all participants, the researchers observed that people with obesity and those with low vitamin D levels benefited the most from vitamin D supplements.

Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDNpreventive cardiology dietitian and heart health expert at EntirelyNourished.com, who was not involved in the study, said the study results were not surprising given the role of calcium and vitamin D in blood pressure regulation.

Routhenstein explained how vitamin D can affect blood pressure:

“Vitamin D is involved in the regulation of the renin-angiotensin system, which plays a key role in blood pressure control. When vitamin D levels are low, renin secretion tends to increase, which can increase blood pressure by activating this system.”

“Calcium has also been provided and is known to support blood pressure regulation due to its effect on blood vessel function. Helping blood vessels relax and maintain proper tone, calcium can help lower blood pressure,” she said Today’s medical news.

An important finding from the study is that taking higher-than-recommended doses of vitamin D has no additional benefits in terms of cardiovascular health, according to this study.

Commenting on this, Routhenstein said:

“Many people assume that more is always better, but when it comes to nutrients, it’s about finding the right balance for your body, taking into account factors such as lab results, diet and medical history. The goal is to get enough to meet your needs—not too little, but not too much.”

She also cautioned against using vitamin D supplements for long periods of time and in higher doses than necessary.

“For vitamin D, which is fat-soluble, taking high doses over long periods can lead to toxicity. That’s why it’s important to get your vitamin D levels checked to make sure you’re getting the right amount for your health,” she said. MNT.

On the topic of choosing the right vitamin D supplements, Routhenstein pointed out that not all supplements are created equal.

“Anything contains oils that can go rancid when exposed to heat during storage or shipping,” she said.

“Because vitamin D is fat-soluble, taking it with a meal containing fat can improve absorption and ensure it works more effectively,” she added.

The study has several limitations, particularly in terms of sample size, diversity, and baseline comorbidities.

Participants were primarily older adults (mean age 71.1 years) with a high body mass index (average BMI of 30.2). In addition, only nine participants engaged in regular physical activity.

These may limit the generalizability of the results of this study to other populations or age groups. The same can be said about the racial or ethnic diversity of the study participants, which may mean that the findings are not applicable to larger and more diverse populations.

Participants also had a high prevalence of comorbidities such as hypertension, with 48% of participants being treated with antihypertensive medications. In addition, some started treatment after entering the study, however, sensitive analyzes showed that the start blood pressure medication it did not change the overall results of the study. This may also affect the generalizability of these results to people without high blood pressure.