Taking Vitamin C in large doses could moderately reduce high blood pressure, according to researchers from John Hopkins University. However, the scientists do not advise that people take large doses of the vitamin to try and reduce blood pressure.
Edgar “Pete” R. Miller III, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor in the division of general internal medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, led the study which was recently published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
In a press release, Dr. Miller said:
“Our research suggests a modest blood pressure lowering effect with vitamin C supplementation, but before we can recommend supplements as a treatment for high blood pressure, we really need more research to understand the implications of taking them."
Dr. Miller and his colleagues analysed data from 29 different studies and then compared vitamin C intake to a placebo. They found that patients taking 500 mgs of vitamin C reduced blood pressure by 3.84 millimetres of mercury. In patients who had been diagnosed with hypertension, a drop of almost 5 millimetres of mercury was recorded; patients who take blood pressure medication experience a drop in blood pressure of twice that.
Dr. Miller said:
“Although our review found only a moderate impact on blood pressure, if the entire U.S. population lowered blood pressure by 3 millilitres of mercury, there would be a lot fewer strokes."
However, the research team warns that vitamin C itself is not associated with a reduced risk of heart attacks or strokes which are associated with untreated high blood pressure,
Miller continues:
“People love to take vitamins regardless of the evidence or lack of it."
“We’re trying to raise the bar and provide evidence-based guidance about whether supplements help or actually do harm.”
Edgar “Pete” R. Miller III, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor in the division of general internal medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, led the study which was recently published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
In a press release, Dr. Miller said:
“Our research suggests a modest blood pressure lowering effect with vitamin C supplementation, but before we can recommend supplements as a treatment for high blood pressure, we really need more research to understand the implications of taking them."
Dr. Miller and his colleagues analysed data from 29 different studies and then compared vitamin C intake to a placebo. They found that patients taking 500 mgs of vitamin C reduced blood pressure by 3.84 millimetres of mercury. In patients who had been diagnosed with hypertension, a drop of almost 5 millimetres of mercury was recorded; patients who take blood pressure medication experience a drop in blood pressure of twice that.
Dr. Miller said:
“Although our review found only a moderate impact on blood pressure, if the entire U.S. population lowered blood pressure by 3 millilitres of mercury, there would be a lot fewer strokes."
However, the research team warns that vitamin C itself is not associated with a reduced risk of heart attacks or strokes which are associated with untreated high blood pressure,
Miller continues:
“People love to take vitamins regardless of the evidence or lack of it."
“We’re trying to raise the bar and provide evidence-based guidance about whether supplements help or actually do harm.”
No comments:
Post a Comment