New Study Shows Vitamin D Supplements Don't Help Lower Blood Pressure
(CBS) -- Are you or someone you know taking vitamin D to lower blood pressure? Maybe a doctor even prescribed it?
Well a new study says it's doesn't help. CBS 2's Mai Martinez takes a look at the pros and cons of the vitamin.
For years vitamin D has been prescribed to help lower blood pressure.
"About 10 years ago they realized that there was an association between low vitamin D and high blood pressure," said Dr. Annabelle Volgman, cardiologist at Rush University Medical Center.
Dr. Volgman says she's not surprised a new study says it's ineffective and that, "it's not a cure for high blood pressure."
Not only does it not help with blood pressure, too much vitamin D can be harmful, leading to side effects including kidney stones, upset stomach, interference with natural regulation of vitamin D and even cardiovascular death.
But Dr. Volgman says vitamin D does have its benefits
"I find that one of the most common problems that my patients have who complain of fatigue and palpitations is that they are low in vitamin D and when we treat them, they feel better," she said.
Dr. Volgman believes for patients with low vitamin D and have symptoms, the benefits outweigh the possible side effects.
If you'd rather not take a supplement, Dr. Volgman says getting enough vitamin D could be as simple as spending a little time in the sun.
"The usual recommendation is 10 minutes of sun with no sunblock and then the rest the time should be with sunblock to decrease our risk of skin cancer," she said.
As for lowering blood pressure, Dr. Volgman says, "It's the usual advice decrease your salt intake, exercise, decrease your stress level and be in a good weight range."
As with any supplement Dr. Volgman says people need to talk to their healthcare providers to figure out what they should and shouldn't be taking.