Lowering homocysteine with vitamin supplements to treat drug-resistant hypertension (Vitamins B6, B12, folate and riboflavin (B2) reduce blood pressure up to 13 mmHg)

Medical Xpress / University of Maine / American Journal of Hypertension ^ | Feb. 2, 2022 | Merrill F Elias et al

[ConservativeMind]

Using B vitamins to lower homocysteine levels is an effective means of reducing blood pressure and may be especially useful in the management of drug-resistant hypertension, according to researchers at the University of Maine and University of Arkansas.

Approximately 12.8 percent of the world population experiences drug-resistant hypertension, defined as a failure to reach a target blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg using three classes of antihypertension medication. A newer definition of hypertension, 130/80 mmHg, makes successful management even more difficult to achieve.

Homocysteine is an intermediate compound involved in vitamin regulation. Elevated homocysteine is the result of genetic mutations or inadequate stores of vitamins B6, B12, folate and riboflavin (B2). High homocysteine is associated with impaired nitrous oxide synthesis, which is related to small vessel vasoconstriction and is a risk factor for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke and neurological diseases. Lowering of homocysteine is relatively inexpensive because it is achieved by providing vitamin supplementation.

While recent literature supports the efficacy and safety of homocysteine lowering in the treatment of hypertension, the validity of this generalization has been challenged, generating a controversy that has lasted over 15 years and has slowed the use of homocysteine lowering as a means of treating hypertension, according to the researchers.

Elias and Brown reviewed the literature on both sides of the controversy and conclude that the early criticisms of homocysteine lowering were premature and that supplementation with sufficient nondietary-sourced vitamins B2 (riboflavin), B6, folate and B12 can safely lower blood pressures as much as 6 to 13 mmHg.

The updated reference value for normal homocysteine is ≤10 μmol/L. However, many laboratories define normal homocysteine levels as high as 11.4 μmol/L. Elias and Brown argue that there is a need to update laboratory values for normal homocysteine and to determine whether risk-protective values should be even lower.

[ConservativeMind]

Any B complex would be helpful, but consider looking for one that is time-release and/or the active forms of these B-vitamins.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Reddy]

BFL

[LittleBillyInfidel]

The last three days, I’ve spiked up over 180/115. Makes no sense! I’m willing to try anything.

[Mr Rogers]

“A newer definition of hypertension, 130/80 mmHg, makes successful management even more difficult to achieve.”

More accurately, “A newer definition of hypertension, 130/80 mmHg, makes successful management even more dependent on selling multiple drugs to seniors, who are then more likely to fall and suffer severe pain.”

A long video (hour & a half) but a good one for anyone serious about blood pressure in seniors:

Blood Pressure: How High is Too High and How Do I Lower it Safely? - University of California Television (UCTV)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j314amPw4RQ

[rolling_stone]

—ping

[Secret Agent Man]

just doing certain types of breathing exercises for a few minutes csn reduce blood pressure as well.

[Sans-Culotte]

BFL

[AAABEST]

130/80? Ridiculous predatory medical standards.

The modern medical system seeks to make everyone on earth a patient, fill them with drugs and take every penny we have.

[struggle]

15 minutes of slow breathing can lower it by 20/10

[gattaca]

bmp

[Wuli]

An important report. Thanks

[SaintDismas]

My issue!!! My natural doc put me on Homocysteine Supreme (by designs for health) which just happens to have all four of these vitamins!

I had been on Lisinopril 20mg for over 30 years for high blood pressure and it started to just not work anymore recently. Now through this and other natural things I’m doing, my blood pressure is starting to be controlled without pharma intervention. So happy about this

[sanjuanbob]

I started a Bcomplex supplement 6 mos ago for no particular reason. Had dealt with BP in the 140/80 range for last few years. At cardiologist yesterday was 120/60. I wonder if the B vitamins had anything to do with it.
Thanks for the info.

[ConservativeMind]

A relative has had spiking BP problems. Most of the time it's fine and normal.

This is what's helped:

1. Getting on the lowest dose necessary of telmisartan (an ARB) and amlodipine (a Calcium-Channel Blocker) (better to utilize multiple blood pressure medicine options at low doses than just one at a high dose)

2. Getting a prescription for the rare use of Clonidine for a spike that stays too long

3. A good regimen of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants

4. More potassium and more sodium.

5. Supplements like arginine, ornithine, glutathione, and ashwaghanda, among a few others, to cover for noticed spikes, unless clonidine was already taken (choosing these over clonidine most all the time)

6. More exercise

7. Getting better, deeper sleep

8. Continuing to iterate to lower carb, better fat options and eating more veggies, fewer breads, pastas, sugars, etc.

9. Now utilizing NAC and glycine to help with glutathione exhaustion from blood pressure being too high for too long (doesn't help BP, but mitigates some damage from it)

There may be other things, but these come immediately to mind.

[LittleBillyInfidel]

Thank you! Yeah, I’m great with low sodium but need to up the potassium. I’m going to take some of your notes here for my doctor visit on Friday. Thank you for sharing!!

[ConservativeMind]

That is exactly right. An app for deep, slow breathing helps or even a device that provides feedback.

We have both.

[jps098]

I take 500mg of Niacin B-3 (must be the full flush verion) and dropped mine from 150/98 to an average of 116/75.

Do not just start with 500mg, or the flush will make you think you are having an allergic reaction. Best to start with 50 mg a couple of times a day, with food. Slowly build up.

My wife does 100 just twice a day and dropped hers 40pts. It also can make a huge difference on cholesterol. I know three people who quit statins using just 100 mg a day.

[bgill]

Bingo! Follow the $$$$$$$$.

[TheGreatFazool]

For my spike my doctor said it was kidney artery that is blocked. I went through a doppler and cat scan...and went to vascular doctor.

The technicians and radiologist who read the doppler said the artery was blocked.
The vascular doctor said it was fine.

Anyone experience this?