Can Vitamin C Lower Blood Pressure?

Yes, in high doses, according to a new study. Findings published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, were that Vitamin C can cause a moderate decrease in blood pressure. It's the dosage that is important since someone would need take 500 milligrams per day for eight weeks to see the positive effect.

While that is higher than the National Institutes of Health's recommended daily intake for adults of 90 mg per day for men and 75mg for women, it's below Dr. Weil recommendation. He suggest taking 250 mg of vitamin C each day, or higher doses - greater than 1,000 mg per day – for additional protection against the oxidative effects of air pollution and smoke. (Many of us take that amount as a maintenance dosage.) The reason Vitamin C is effective is that it is able to maintain or protect the body's levels of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide's function is specifically to help maintain healthy blood pressure.

Other research has shown that Vitamin C is a diuretic and therefore it can help rid the body of excess sodium and water which can lower blood pressure. Other natural remedies for lower blood pressure ( per Dr. Weil) include:
--Eat 8 to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables per day.
--Limit animal protein to 6 oz per day, emphasizing lean sources.
--Say no to salt. Those with salt sensitivity or a family history or hypertension may benefit from reducing salt to about one teaspoon a day (2,400 mg).
 --Use garlic, which has a modest effect on lowering blood pressure and may help relax blood vessels. Consume 4 to 5 servings of nuts, seeds and dry beans per week (2 Tbsp nuts or seeds, or 1/2 cup cooked dried beans).
 --Eat plenty of fish. Include at least three servings of fish a week, emphasizing cold-water fish like wild Alaskan salmon and sardines, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Take fish-oil supplements if you cannot get enough omega-3-rich foods.
 --Take calcium and magnesium. Inadequate intake of both of these minerals has been associated with high blood pressure. Women should get between 1,000 and 1,200 mg of calcium a day from all sources, while men may want to get no more than 500-600 mg daily from all sources.