Vitamin C for Blood Pressure?A regular hefty dose of vitamin C vitamin C or ascorbic acid Water-soluble organic compound important in animal metabolism. Most animals produce it in their bodies, but humans, other primates, and guinea pigs need it in the diet to prevent scurvy. may help lower blood pressure. Participants in a recent small study took either 500 milligrams of vitamin C or a placebo for a month. The vitamin group saw their systolic pressure systolic pressure n. The highest arterial blood pressure reached during any given ventricular cycle. (your blood pressure's upper number) drop 13 points. Diastolic pressure diastolic pressure n. The lowest arterial blood pressure reached during any given ventricular cycle. dropped by eight points, but that was about the same as for the placebo group. Because some further study is necessary, patients with high blood pressure should not stop taking their medication or start taking extra vitamin C without seeking a physician's counsel. (Lancet lancet /lan·cet/ (lan´set) a small, pointed, two-edged surgical knife. lan·cet n. ) |
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