Vitamin D supplements could potentially reduce blood pressure in older adults dealing with obesity. Moreover, exceeding the recommended daily intake by the Institutes of Medicine (IOM) does not seem to offer any extra health benefits, based on recent research findings.
Recent studies published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society suggest that vitamin D supplements may help lower blood pressure in older adults with obesity, and that taking more than the daily dose recommended by the Institutes of Medicine (IOM) does not yield additional health advantages.
The IOM advises a daily intake of 600 International Units (IU).
Vitamin D deficiency is widespread globally and has been linked to various health issues, including heart disease, immune disorders, infections, and cancers. While prior studies have suggested a connection between vitamin D deficiency and increased hypertension risk, the evidence supporting the positive impact of vitamin D supplementation on blood pressure has been unclear.
According to Dr. Ghada El-Hajj Fuleihan from the American University of Beirut Medical Center in Lebanon, “Our research suggests that vitamin D supplementation may help reduce blood pressure in specific populations, such as older adults, those with obesity, and potentially individuals with low vitamin D levels. However, high doses of vitamin D did not show additional health benefits compared to the IOM’s daily recommendations.”
The study involved 221 older adults with obesity who took either 600 IU/day or 3,750 IU/day of vitamin D over one year, resulting in a decrease in blood pressure among participants.
When comparing the two dosages, researchers noted no additional health benefits from the higher dose. They concluded that individuals with obesity and low vitamin D levels gained the most advantage from supplementation.
The research team included Maya Rahme and Laila Al-Shaar, both affiliated with the American University of Beirut Medical Center and Pennsylvania State University, respectively, along with Hani Tamim from both institutions.
This study was funded by the Office of Dietary Supplements, the University Research Board of the American University of Beirut, the Council for Research of the Saint Joseph University of Beirut, the National Council for Scientific Research, the Mayo Clinic, and Odense University Hospital.
