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Calcium in hypertension prevention: an exploratory review

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Abstract

Hypertension has attracted so much attention as its prevalence is considerably high and has become the major risk factor for many non-communicable diseases. Since the 1980s, calcium has been proposed to participate in hypertension incidence. Several studies demonstrate that lower calcium intake is strongly correlated with higher blood pressure. This review found that dietary calcium may provide a more favorable effect on blood pressure control than supplemental calcium. Dairy products may become a great source of dietary calcium and several bioactive compounds. Differences in calcium sources could be the reason for the inconsistent results of a study evaluating the effect of calcium on blood pressure. In addition, this review reveals that calcium supplementation during pregnancy might protect from a pre-eclampsia incidence. Furthermore, parathyroid hormone, calcitriol, aldosterone, and perivascular nerve participate in inducing vasoconstriction and sodium and water retention, leading to an increase in blood pressure. The calcium-sensing receptor is hypothesized to mediate the effect of calcium levels on these actions.

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  1. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Singaperbangsa Karawang, Karawang, Indonesia

    Al Mukhlas Fikri

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Fikri, A.M. Calcium in hypertension prevention: an exploratory review. Nutrire 48, 24 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41110-023-00209-8

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