{"id":631108,"date":"2025-01-30T09:30:27","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T14:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631108"},"modified":"2026-02-16T10:51:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T15:51:39","slug":"vitamin-d-and-blood-pressure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/vitamin-d-and-blood-pressure\/","title":{"rendered":"Could vitamin D improve patient blood pressure?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vitamin D<\/span><\/a> is an essential nutrient that the body makes when your skin is exposed to sunlight. It\u2019s also present in <\/span>certain foods<\/span><\/a>, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vitamin D deficiency\u2014or low vitamin D levels in the blood\u2014is 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 study published in the <\/span>Journal of the<\/span><\/i> Endocrine Society<\/span><\/i> found that vitamin D supplements may help lower blood pressure in older adults who are overweight or with obesity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vitamin D supplements<\/span><\/h2>\n

The daily recommended amount of vitamin D for adults is 15 micrograms (mcg) or 600 international units (IU), according to the <\/span>National Institutes of Health (NIH): Office of Dietary Supplements<\/span>. 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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Does vitamin D improve blood pressure?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>study published in the <\/span>Journal of Endocrine Society<\/span><\/i><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019s noted that vitamin D is beneficial in older adults with low vitamin D levels and hypertension.<\/span><\/p>\n

The study also concluded that higher doses of vitamin D do not provide extra health benefits and aren\u2019t necessarily better.<\/span><\/p>\n

Should your patients take vitamin D?<\/span><\/h2>\n

While having low vitamin D levels has been <\/span>linked to<\/span><\/a> cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, it\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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 <\/span>contain vitamin D<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n