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Effect of calcium supplementation on blood pressure in essential hypertensive subjects
Insights
Calcium lactate supplementation showed a modest blood pressure-lowering effect in established essential hypertension patients. This dietary intervention may offer a supplementary approach for managing hypertension, particularly in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Nutritional Science
- Nephrology
Background:
- Essential hypertension is a prevalent cardiovascular condition.
- Calcium's role in blood pressure regulation is under investigation.
- Dietary supplementation is a potential avenue for hypertension management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of calcium supplementation on blood pressure in different hypertensive groups.
- To assess changes in electrolytes and hormones during calcium treatment.
- To determine the safety and efficacy of calcium lactate for hypertension.
Main Methods:
- A 16-week trial involving 33 outpatients divided into normotensive, borderline hypertensive, and established essential hypertensive (EEH) groups.
- Daily administration of 6 g calcium lactate (779 mg elemental calcium).
- Monitoring of blood pressure, urinary electrolytes, serum electrolytes, hormones, and cardiac output.
Main Results:
- Systolic blood pressure significantly decreased by 6 mmHg in the EEH group (p<0.05).
- No significant changes in diastolic blood pressure or blood pressure in other groups.
- Increased urinary calcium excretion without altering other electrolytes or measured hormones/cardiac output.
- No adverse effects were reported.
Conclusions:
- Daily calcium lactate supplementation demonstrated a slight antihypertensive effect in established essential hypertension.
- Calcium supplementation may serve as an adjunct therapy for essential hypertension, especially in the elderly.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms and long-term benefits.
Abstract:
The effect of calcium supplementation on blood pressure was studied in three groups: eight normotensive subjects, 14 borderline essential hypertensive subjects, and 11 established essential hypertensive subjects (EEH). All subjects were outpatients and were given 6 g of calcium lactate (779 mg of elemental calcium) daily for 16 weeks. In EEH, systolic blood pressure was decreased significantly by 6 mmHg, but diastolic blood pressure was not decreased significantly (2 mmHg). In other groups, blood pressure was not reduced significantly. In all groups, urinary excretion of calcium was increased significantly but urinary excretion of other electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium and phosphate did not change. Serum electrolytes, various hormones, such as parathyroid hormone, 1-25(OH)2D3, 25OHD3, plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone, plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine, and cardiac output did not change throughout this study. There were no adverse effects observed during this trial. From these results, it was concluded that daily administration of 6 g of calcium lactate produces a slight antihypertensive effect in EEH, and that this might be useful as a supplementary treatment for essential hypertension, especially in the aged.