A new study from the University of Maine suggests that B vitamins could help lower blood pressure, especially for people who don’t respond well to regular medications.
This finding offers hope to those with drug-resistant hypertension, a condition where blood pressure stays high even after trying at least three different medications.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a serious and widespread health problem. It increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other life-threatening conditions. In fact, more than 1 in 10 people have drug-resistant hypertension.
And managing the condition has become even tougher in recent years.
That’s because health guidelines now define high blood pressure as 130/80 mmHg or higher, instead of the old level of 140/90 mmHg. This change means that more people are now considered to have high blood pressure and need treatment.
The study focused on a natural substance in the blood called homocysteine. This compound is produced when our bodies break down proteins. Normally, the body clears away homocysteine with the help of certain B vitamins—especially B6, B12, folate (B9), and riboflavin (B2).
But when people don’t get enough of these vitamins, homocysteine levels can rise. High levels of homocysteine can damage blood vessels, making them narrower and stiffer. This can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The good news is that bringing down homocysteine is simple and low-cost. According to this study, taking B vitamin supplements can lower homocysteine levels, which in turn may reduce blood pressure.
After reviewing several earlier studies, the researchers found that B vitamin therapy led to an average drop in blood pressure of 6 to 13 mmHg. That kind of change could make a real difference for people whose blood pressure is hard to control with drugs alone.
The researchers also raised a concern about how doctors measure homocysteine levels. Right now, many labs say that up to 11.4 micromoles per liter (μmol/L) is a normal level. But the researchers argue that levels above 10 μmol/L may already be too high. They believe that lowering this “normal” range could help identify more people at risk and prevent future health problems.
Still, the study authors caution that vitamin supplements should not replace medical treatment. Anyone thinking about using B vitamins for blood pressure should first talk to their doctor or another healthcare provider. Not everyone needs the same vitamins or doses, and getting medical advice is the best way to stay safe.
This study was led by researcher Merrill Elias and published in the American Journal of Hypertension. It adds to a growing body of research showing that simple changes in nutrition could support better heart health—especially for people who haven’t had success with traditional treatments.
While more studies in humans are still needed, B vitamins could turn out to be a helpful, affordable way to manage high blood pressure and improve overall well-being.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about vitamins impacts on high blood pressure people need to know, and how to manage high blood pressure and diabetes with healthy foods.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the best and worst foods for high blood pressure, and modified traditional Chinese cuisine can lower blood pressure.
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