The efficacy of different forms of vitamin D supplementation to reduce blood pressure in institutionalized older adults

摘要

Recent studies have suggested that vitamin D plays a critical role in regulating the renin-angiotensin system and thus influencing the regulation of blood pressure. This trial investigated the potential benefit of 12 months of vitamin D supplementation to increase vitamin D level in the blood to reach the optimal levels in order to reduce blood pressure. A total of 40 older adults living in a nursing home were assigned to receive either 200,000 IU every 4 months or 5,000 IU/d of vitamin D_3. After 12 months, supplementation with 5,000 IU vitamin D_3/d significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by 6.1% and diastolic blood pressure by 3.5%. No change in the blood pressure was observed with bolus supplementation of vitamin D_3. In our study, the daily high dose of vitamin D_3 (5,000 IU/d) assured an optimal vitamin D status and reduced the blood pressure.