High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects millions of people around the world and is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. Doctors often prescribe medications to control it, along with advice to eat healthier foods, exercise regularly, and reduce stress.
For many people, these treatments work well. However, some patients continue to have high blood pressure even after taking several different medications. This condition is called drug-resistant hypertension and can be especially difficult to manage.
A new study suggests that a simple and inexpensive solution may help some of these patients. Researchers from the University of Maine have found that certain B vitamins could lower blood pressure by reducing levels of a substance in the blood called homocysteine.
This discovery offers hope for people who struggle to control their blood pressure despite following standard treatments.
Homocysteine is a natural chemical produced when the body breaks down protein. Normally, the body uses B vitamins such as B6, B12, folate, and riboflavin to process and remove excess homocysteine.
However, if a person has low levels of these vitamins or certain genetic traits, homocysteine can build up in the blood. High levels are harmful because they can damage the lining of blood vessels and make them stiff and narrow. This increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
The researchers reviewed previous scientific studies to understand how lowering homocysteine affects blood pressure. They found that taking B vitamin supplements reduced blood pressure by about 6 to 13 points.
While this may seem small, even modest reductions can significantly lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes over time. The findings suggest that vitamin therapy could be a useful addition to traditional treatments, particularly for people whose blood pressure remains high despite medication.
Another important issue highlighted by the study is how homocysteine levels are measured. Current guidelines suggest that levels should be 10 micromoles per liter or lower, but some laboratories still consider higher levels to be normal.
The researchers believe that these standards may need updating because even slightly elevated levels could pose health risks. Lowering homocysteine earlier might help prevent long-term damage to the heart and blood vessels.
Experts caution that B vitamins are not a replacement for prescribed medication or healthy lifestyle habits. Instead, they may serve as an additional tool under medical guidance.
Taking large amounts of vitamins without professional advice can sometimes cause side effects or interact with other treatments. Therefore, anyone interested in this approach should speak with a doctor before starting supplements.
In reviewing the study findings, the research provides encouraging evidence that nutritional factors can play a meaningful role in blood pressure control.
It highlights the importance of looking beyond medications alone and considering how diet and vitamin levels affect health. At the same time, more clinical trials are needed to determine which patients benefit most and what doses are safest and most effective.
Overall, this study points to a promising, low-cost strategy that could help people with difficult-to-control hypertension. If future research confirms these results, B vitamins could become part of a broader, more personalized approach to managing blood pressure.
Combining medical treatment, healthy living, and targeted nutrition may offer the best chance for protecting heart health in the long term.
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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