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Ihab M. Hajjar, Varghese George, Mahendar Kochar, P-339: Effect of vitamin C supplementation on systolic, diastolic, pulse pressure and lipids: A randomized controlled trial, American Journal of Hypertension, Volume 14, Issue S1, April 2001, Page 143A, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0895-7061(01)01860-X
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Abstract
This study was designed to test the effect of vitamin C supplementation on systolic, diastolic, pulse pressure and lipids in patients with stage I hypertension. Eligible patients were randomized to 500mg, 1000mg or 2000 mg of vitamin C after a run-in phase of placebo for 4 weeks. During each visit of the follow-up period, which lasted 8 months, a detailed history including medication changes, and physical examination, which included 3 blood pressure readings were performed. A one-week dietary diary was filled prior to each visit. 54 patients were eligible and 31 patients (mean age= 62±2 years, 52% males, 90% whites) were randomized to the three doses of vitamin C. Overall compliance was 48%±2%. Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased during the vitamin C supplementation phase (mean SBP dropped by 4.5±1.8 mm Hg (p<0.05) and DBP by 2.8±1.2 mm Hg (p<0.05)). This effect was significant for only one month of supplementation but the trend persisted. Pulse pressure (PP) also decreased during the vitamin C phase, but the difference was not statistically significant (mean PP was 53.3±2.4 mm Hg in the placebo phase vs 51.3 mm Hg during the vitamin C phase, p>0.05). There was no difference between the three vitamin C groups (p=0.48). There was no reported intolerance to vitamin C. There was no significant change in serum lipid with vitamin C supplementation, however, there was a trend for a decrease in cholesterol (decrease by 1.5±4.6 mg/dl, p=0.75), Triglyceride (decrease by 2.5±14.8 mg/dl, p=0.87), low density lipoprotein (decrease by 2.1±3.2 mg/dl, p=0.52), and an increase in high density lipoprotein (increase by 2.1±3.2mg/dl, p=0.32) after 6 months of vitamin C supplementation. There was no difference in lipids between the three vitamin C groups. Vitamin C supplementation lowers blood pressure in mildly hypertensive patients. The effect is on SBP and DBP but not PP. Lipids seem to be unaffected by vitamin C supplementation.
