Various vitamin supplements are being marketed as "natural" or "herbal" remedies for high blood pressure (hypertension). Vitamins supplementation for hypertension is also a topic of active medical research because of the possibility of effectively controlling hypertension without too many adverse effects. The ones that are being most actively studied are mentioned here.
So far, only few have been found to be effective in lowering the blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure. They lower the blood pressure only slightly and hence can only be used as an adjunctive therapy with other measures that have proven effectiveness in control of high blood pressure.
Table: Vitamins That Are Being Evaluated For Treatment Of Hypertension
| Vitamin | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Vitamin C | Supplementation lowers the blood pressure. |
| Vitamin D | Deficiency increases risk of hypertension. Effectiveness of supplementation doubtful. |
| Vitamin E | Lowers blood pressure when combined with Vitamin C |
| Coenzyme Q10 | Minor effectiveness observed only in certain special cases. Currently not recommended. |
| Vitamin B complex | So far proven effective in lowering BP in animal studies only. |
Increased dietary intake of Vitamin C has been found to be associated with lower blood pressure. Similar effect has been observed with Vitamin C supplementation also. The blood pressure lowering effects of Vitamin C are also observed in patients with hypertension. On an average Vitamin C supplementation reduces systolic blood pressure by 4-5 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.5-2 mm Hg.
The deficiency of Vitamin D can cause hypertension. Vitamin D plays a role in maintaining lower blood pressure by numerous mechanisms. Vitamin D supplement reduces the systolic blood pressure by 2-6 mm Hg, although there are controversies regarding the effectiveness of supplementation as a therapy. The deficiency of vitamin D is quite prevalent and its supplementation is safe and inexpensive, thus treatment with Vitamin D supplementation might be a good option to try in patients with this deficiency.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant. Oxidative damage by free radicals is considered one of the factors contributing to development of essential hypertension. Both, Vitamin C and Vitamin E have antioxidant properties, and their supplementation lowers blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.
Coenzyme 10 is a vitamin like substance found in the cells. It is being evaluated for treatment of numerous conditions, including hypertension. However, currently it has been found to be effective only in certain special cases of resistant hypertension in patients with metabolic syndrome. Coenzyme Q10 is currently not recommended for treatment of any hypertension.
Vitamin B (riboflavin, pyridoxine, folic acid, etc.) also plays a role in control of oxidative damage to tissues. Currently, they have been demonstrated to be effective in lowering blood pressure only in animal studies but are expected to have similar effects in humans also.