Can Vitamin D deficiency be a risk factor for High Blood Pressure and strokes?
80-90% source of vitamin D is obtained from the in-house vitamin D synthesis within the skin in the presence of UVB rays of sunlight. Whereas only minor amounts of vitamin D are extracted from dietary sources.
Fish, egg yolk, cod liver, cow milk, soy milk, green leafy vegetables and mushrooms are a few vitamin D-rich food items.
There’s a lot more to explore for the potential of vitamin D other than its preventive role in osteoporosis and Coordination of all muscular activities in the body.
Several studies have reported that deficiency of vitamin D can cause a variety of chronic diseases including cardiovascular and kidney, cancer, autoimmune, neurological, and infectious diseases.1 ,2
Here is some evidence that claims the potential role of Vitamin D in preventing High blood pressure through various channels in body:
1. Regulating blood pressure through kidneys
RAAS (renin-angiotensin aldosterone system) is the system present in the kidneys that regulate blood volume and blood pressure in the body.
Several epidemiological studies have reported an inverse relationship between Vitamin D and blood pressure.3,4That indicates, that low levels of Vitamin D in the kidney is associated with an increased risk of blood pressure/Hypertension.
Therefore sufficient levels of vitamin D in kidney is an important consideration in the treatment of hypertension, especially for patients with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.
Moreover, high sodium intake from excess salt is known to increase urinary calcium loss, and parallel Vitamin D loss.
So high salt diet can lead to vitamin D deficiency by increasing its loss through urine.
2. A high level of thyroid hormone is linked to High Blood Pressure
A high concentration of thyroid hormone in the blood is known to be associated with increases in blood pressure.
Further, the deficiency of Vitamin D can level up your thyroid hormone and result in high BP condition simultaneously.
Therefore, thyroid hormone is also an independent risk factor for Hypertension.5
3. Anti-atherosclerotic for heart attacks
Low Vitamin D levels in the blood can also cause a higher prevalence of the atherosclerotic cardiovascular condition. It is the condition of blockage followed by hardening of the arteries by the accumulation of fats and cholesterol, causing the obstruction of blood flow and increasing the risk of blood clots. This clot may rupture and result in a heart attack or a stroke. 6
Other than high cholesterol, high blood pressure can also trigger atherosclerosis.
Therefore, Vitamin D exerts protective action in multiple ways including assisting your arteries and veins in widening enough to support proper blood flow. 7
4. Anti-proteinuric and Nephropathy in Diabetics
Proteinuria is the condition of elevated levels of protein in the urine. This condition can be a risk factor for kidney dysfunction.
High blood pressure has a major role in the development of proteinuria in patients with either diabetic or non-diabetic kidney disease.
Another condition, Diabetic Nephropathy is a kidney disorder in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes leading to kidney damage and hypertension.
A blood pressure of less than 130/80 mm Hg is recommended in patients with proteinuria for kidney and heart functioning.8
Further, the deficiency of Vitamin D can exacerbate both proteinuria and diabetic nephropathy. 9
Vitamin D from sunlight can assist in lowering high blood pressure to reduce proteinuria in diabetic patients with nephropathy.
5. Cardiovascular functioning
Other than Hypertension, low vitamin D levels can predispose you to depression, a known cardiovascular risk factor. 10
Vitamin D directly influences calcium intake, helps in muscle relaxation, and smooth functioning of functioning.11
6. Hypertension due to obesity
Obesity is another risk factor that is closely associated with a deficiency of vitamin D.
Obese men and women with BMI ≥ 40 are deficient in Vitamin D, therefore are predisposed to the risk of hypertension.12
However, daily Vitamin D supplementation can help obese achieve optimum Vitamin D levels.
Takeaway
Sunlight is the most potent source of vitamin D, with approximately 3000 IU of vitamin D obtained from 5 to 10 minutes of sunlight exposure.
In a case study, conducted on 18 hypertensive patients, the exposure of the body to UVB radiations, thrice a week positively decreased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 6 mm Hg.13
However, minimal sun exposure, and the use of sunscreens to prevent skin damage and skin cancers, can make you Vitamin D deficient and simultaneously predispose you to kidney dysfunction, heart dysfunction, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even Obesity.
To maintain normal vitamin D levels in the body, supplementation of Vitamin D2 or D3 is required every 2 weeks for smooth functioning.14
You need approximately 600 IU of Vitamin D3 daily for healthy bones and muscle coordination.
Add DrTrust Antoxit capsules, loaded with 400 IU Vitamin D3 to your diet to fulfill your daily Vitamin D requirement to deal with Hypertension.
Also supplementing vitamin D doses at an early stage can significantly reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes in later life.15
Also, a low sodium diet can efficiently reduce vitamin D deficiency by reducing its loss through urine.