A recent study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society reveals that a simple vitamin could lead to significant health benefits. This study indicates that taking vitamin D alongside calcium may help lower blood pressure in older adults, particularly those with obesity and a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30.
Vitamin D deficiency is a global health concern, often linked with various serious health issues such as cardiovascular disease, infections, and even certain types of cancer. Given that a deficiency is common, the findings of this study are particularly timely.
Participants in the study demonstrated a significant decrease in both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after taking either a low (600 IU/day) or high (3750 IU/day) dose of vitamin D. Notably, while SBP showed significant decreases in both treatment groups, DBP significantly decreased only in the high-dose group.
Researchers emphasized that the benefits were observed irrespective of the dosage taken, highlighting that both vitamin D and calcium work effectively to help reduce blood pressure in overweight older individuals. More importantly, findings suggest that taking higher doses does not guarantee better results.
Daily nutrient guidelines recommend that adults aged 19 to 64 need about 700mg of calcium and 10 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D. These recommendations extend to pregnant and breastfeeding women as well.
As winter approaches and with it the potential for low vitamin D levels due to reduced sunlight exposure, considering supplementation could be beneficial especially for those at risk. The combination of vitamin D and calcium represents a simple yet effective method to promote better health for older adults.
Source: Surrey Live
