High blood pressure is a major health issue worldwide, and managing it can be tough. New research from the University of Maine and other institutions suggests that Vitamin B might help in managing this condition naturally.
Researchers found that lowering a compound called homocysteine with Vitamin B can effectively reduce blood pressure, especially when medication isn’t enough.
The Struggle with Drug-Resistant High Blood Pressure
Around 12.8% of people globally suffer from drug-resistant high blood pressure, where their blood pressure remains high despite taking multiple medications.
The standard goal is to lower blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg, but new guidelines have reduced this target to 130/80 mmHg, making it even more challenging to manage.
This persistent condition requires alternative approaches to prevent severe health issues like heart disease and stroke.
Understanding Homocysteine
Homocysteine is a substance our bodies produce that helps regulate vitamins. High levels of homocysteine usually indicate a lack of certain B vitamins like B6, B12, folate, and riboflavin (B2), or can be due to genetic factors.
Elevated homocysteine causes problems in producing nitrous oxide, leading to the narrowing of small blood vessels (vasoconstriction) and increasing the risk of high blood pressure and other health problems.
After reviewing various studies, researchers concluded that taking adequate amounts of B vitamins from non-dietary sources can significantly lower blood pressure by about 6 to 13 mmHg.
This approach is particularly effective and safe for managing blood pressure, especially when medications fail.
However, there’s a debate about the ‘normal’ level of homocysteine. Currently, many labs consider levels up to 11.4 μmol/L normal, but some experts suggest this should be lower, at ≤10 μmol/L. This disagreement highlights the need to update what is considered a normal homocysteine level.
The Benefits of B Vitamins
Using Vitamin B as a supplementary treatment can be an affordable and effective way to manage drug-resistant high blood pressure by lowering homocysteine levels.
While recent findings support the efficiency and safety of this method, it’s important to undertake such therapy under the guidance of a physician or a qualified healthcare provider to avoid complications and ensure proper management.
Researchers emphasize that vitamin treatment can be a valuable addition to medication for those with resistant high blood pressure.
This study shows that Vitamin B could be a game-changer in managing high blood pressure, especially when medications aren’t working. Using a natural, cost-effective method to control this common condition offers new hope for those struggling with traditional treatments.
As we move forward, incorporating vitamins into high blood pressure management could become standard practice, providing more comprehensive and effective care.
However, proper consultation and supervision from healthcare providers are essential to ensure the safety and success of this approach.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that could increase high blood pressure risk, and eating eggs in a healthy diet may reduce risks of diabetes, high blood pressure.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and results showing 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
