They Don't Want You to Know

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition. It can increase the risk of more severe problems, like heart disease.

Many people may not realize the strong connection between vitamin D levels and hypertension, starting with the health of your arteries.

Vitamin D is perhaps the most critical, yet often overlooked, vitamin connected to artery health. It helps combat several vascular issues. Addressing a deficiency may be a key step in managing vitamin D hypertension.

The Overlooked Link: Vitamin D and Artery Health

The endothelium, a thin layer lining the inside of blood vessels, is crucial for vascular function. It actively interacts with components in the blood. A vitamin D deficiency can compromise this protective layer.

One study highlights the benefits of vitamin D against vascular dysfunction. Vitamin D reduces inflammation and fights damage. Importantly, it also supports normal vasodilation and artery health.

How Vitamin D Protects Your Arteries

The single-cell endothelium layer helps improve dilation in your arteries. Clinical data shows that Vitamin D may offer a strong defense against artery plaque.

This critical layer relies on vitamin D, which significantly impacts nitric oxide production.

When the endothelium becomes impaired, it restricts blood flow. This can increase blood pressure. The extra work and pressure put on this thin layer contributes.

Supporting a functional endothelium leads to normal nitric oxide production. This can promote healthy blood flow.

Calcium's Role In Vitamin D Hypertension

Calcium plays multiple crucial roles beyond supporting bones. When abundant in the right places, it contributes to essential cellular communication.

The body goes to great lengths to maintain stable blood calcium levels. Complex systems regulate its presence for optimal health.

When vitamin D levels are low, which affects nearly 70% of Americans, the body has a backup plan.

The Parathyroid's Response to Low Vitamin D

What happens if your vitamin D is consistently low? Four tiny parathyroid glands, working with the thyroid, create a backup strategy.

The parathyroid releases parathyroid hormone (PTH), which normalizes blood calcium levels, but it begins taking it from your bones.

Low vitamin D leads to elevated PTH. PTH ensures that your blood has a regular amount of calcium. This supports better cellular communication and function.

Secondary Hyperparathyroidism Explained

Persistent low vitamin D causes an issue called secondary hyperparathyroidism. This is a result of your body constantly extracting minerals to support vitamin D's other functions. Many people don't consume enough calcium, leading to low bone density.

Some individuals may have osteoporosis yet simultaneously experience excess buildup of the wrong materials in joints and soft tissues.

Low vitamin D is a significant underlying issue in this cascade of problems. Maintaining optimal calcium intake can also help alleviate secondary hyperparathyroidism risks.

The Truth About Vitamin D Hypertension

Healthcare professionals sometimes avoid using high-dose vitamin D due to concerns about excess calcium in the blood. However, there's limited evidence suggesting that vitamin D alone is the cause.

Professor Bruce Hollis, a leading researcher in vitamin D, has not found data supporting this "dangerous" effect.

The reality is that chronic, prolonged deficiency has negative health consequences. Combining certain nutrients can be powerful. Consider supporting healthy heart habits with magnesium and K2.

Vitamin K2 helps move calcium to where it's needed most. Magnesium provides artery flexibility, helps movement, and is excellent for muscle contraction.

Below, see how different vitamin and mineral supplements can support each other.

Vitamin K2's Crucial Role

Think of vitamin K2 as directing calcium traffic within your body. K2, specifically found in animal products, offers numerous health benefits. It helps move calcium into the bones where it's needed.

Pairing K2 with vitamin D is crucial, especially when addressing arterial health. Long-term inflammation, particularly in the feet, may result from prolonged low D3 and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Monitoring serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels ensures optimal levels for overall health and mitigates cardiovascular risks.

Practical Vitamin D Hypertension Steps

Adjusting your routine may be necessary to improve cardiovascular health. Aim for a daily intake of 10,000 to 30,000 IUs of vitamin D3.

Some may consider 30,000 IUs excessive, yet some individuals get upwards of 100,000 IUs daily during summer. Skin can convert 10,000 to 20,000 IUs in about 20 minutes.

Sunlight as Your Vitamin D Source

High-dose D3 is important, especially during non-summer months, but it shouldn't replace time outdoors.

Regular sun exposure supports optimal functioning, maintaining vitamin D and hormone levels. It offers benefits researchers may not fully understand.

Action Steps

If dealing with high blood pressure, using these minerals together promotes good habits. Consult your doctor before making any changes to your routine.

Conclusion

Understanding the relationship between vitamin D and hypertension is just the start. Optimal vitamin D and calcium levels are crucial for cardiovascular health. Spend time outdoors this summer, exposing your skin to sunlight.

Most people don't get enough vitamin D from direct sunlight. Supplements like K2 and magnesium can improve calcium use. Addressing these factors promptly can help prevent dangerous health risks.

The addition of these into your regular routine will also give more cholecalciferol benefits to many areas of your health.

FAQs about vitamin D hypertension

Does vitamin D affect high blood pressure?

Vitamin D plays a significant role. When the endothelial cells lining your arteries don't function properly, vitamin D can support them to prevent blood pressure problems.

How quickly does vitamin D lower blood pressure?

Vitamin D is vital for overall artery and general health, but results vary. Improvement comes from consistently raising vitamin D levels via sun exposure or supplementation.

What vitamin is best for high blood pressure?

Research supports a higher level of D3 for heart health. K2 and Magnesium, when taken with D3, can increase bone support. Getting tested with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D testing can further help find issues.

What vitamin deficiencies cause high blood pressure?

Low vitamin D is a major problem with significant health consequences. Combining it with other essential minerals while making healthy choices can promote overall well-being.