Could vitamin D improve patient blood pressure?

In this article:

• Vitamin D supplements
• Vitamin D for blood pressure
• Should patients take vitamin D?

In this article

• Vitamin D supplements
• Vitamin D for blood pressure
• Should patients take vitamin D?

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that the body makes when your skin is exposed to sunlight. It’s also present in certain foods, such as fatty fish and fortified milk, and is available as a dietary supplement. Vitamin D is involved in many important bodily functions, including absorbing calcium, building healthy bones, regulating hormones, and supporting cognitive function.

Vitamin D deficiency—or low vitamin D levels in the blood—is quite common and has been linked to immunological diseases, infections, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension. Older research has been mixed on whether vitamin D improves blood pressure. However, a new study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society found that vitamin D supplements may help lower blood pressure in older adults who are overweight or with obesity.

Vitamin D supplements

The daily recommended amount of vitamin D for adults is 15 micrograms (mcg) or 600 international units (IU), according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH): Office of Dietary Supplements. Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, and people obtain most of their vitamin D from fortified foods, such as milk, breakfast cereals, and some yogurts. Vitamin D is also found in dietary supplements. In supplements, vitamin D is available as D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). While both forms are effective at increasing vitamin D levels, vitamin D3 can raise it higher and for longer, according to the NIH.

Most people in the U.S. have normal vitamin D blood levels. However, healthcare providers may recommend vitamin D supplementation if your levels are too low, as this may increase the risk of bone problems, cardiovascular disease, infection, and cancer. A healthcare professional, such as a pharmacist or doctor, can help recommend a vitamin D supplement. The type and dosage will likely depend on your age, vitamin D level, and other medications.

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Does vitamin D improve blood pressure?

The study published in the Journal of Endocrine Society in November 2024 evaluated the effect of vitamin D and calcium on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Researchers included 221 adults who were at least 65 years of age and had a body mass index (BMI) over 25. The participants were separated into two groups: the low-dose group, which took 650 IU of vitamin per day, and the high-dose group, which took 3750 IU per day. Both groups were given calcium citrate 1,000 mg daily. The researchers followed the participants for one year and measured their vitamin D levels at the six-month and one-year points.

Overall, researchers found that vitamin D and calcium supplementation decreased SBP and DBP. The high-dose group experienced a 4.2 mmHg reduction in their SBP, while the low-dose group had a 2.8 mmHg reduction. For DBP, the high-dose group had a 3.02 mmHg reduction, and the low-dose group experienced a 2.6 mmHg reduction.

The study also focused on the effects of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on certain subgroups. For example, they found that SBP decreased significantly in participants with a BMI greater than 30 regardless of vitamin D dosage. However, DBP significantly decreased in the high-dose group only. Researchers also found that the supplements reduced SBP and DBP in participants with high blood pressure across all dosages and BMIs. Ultimately, it’s noted that vitamin D is beneficial in older adults with low vitamin D levels and hypertension.

The study also concluded that higher doses of vitamin D do not provide extra health benefits and aren’t necessarily better.

Should your patients take vitamin D?

While having low vitamin D levels has been linked to cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, it’s important to speak to a healthcare professional before starting any new supplements. According to the NIH, the only way to know if your patients are getting enough vitamin D is to do a blood test. Therefore, healthcare providers usually order a test to check your vitamin D levels before recommending supplementation. Depending on the results, a pharmacist can help recommend an appropriate dosage of the supplement.

Healthcare providers typically recommend obtaining nutrients from foods and beverages. Dietary supplements are reserved for when you cannot obtain adequate nutrients from your diet alone. Foods and beverages that contain vitamin D include:

• Rainbow trout
• Salmon
• Canned light tuna
• Herring
• Canned sardines
• Tilapia
• Flounder
• Soy milk
• Low-fat milk
• Yogurt
• Kefir
• Cheese
• Mushrooms
• Fortified orange juice
• Almond milk

Vitamin D supplements are generally safe if taken in appropriate doses, but taking too much can be harmful. The NIH says very high blood levels of vitamin D can cause side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, pain, dehydration, and kidney stones. Extremely high levels can lead to kidney failure, irregular heartbeat, and in rare cases, death. And while the Journal of Endocrine Society study found benefits with supplementation in older adults with certain conditions, more research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the optimal dosage of vitamin D for patients outside of these categories.