Credit: Unsplash+
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious health issue affecting people all over the world. If left untreated, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other major health problems.
While many people manage it with medication and lifestyle changes, some still struggle even after taking several different drugs. This condition is known as drug-resistant high blood pressure.
Now, researchers from the University of Maine and other institutions have found a promising new approach that could help — using B vitamins. Their findings suggest that certain B vitamins may help lower blood pressure, especially in people whose condition doesn’t respond well to medication alone.
One of the key discoveries in this study is about a compound in the body called homocysteine. Homocysteine is a natural substance that helps with vitamin regulation, but when its levels become too high, it can be harmful.
High homocysteine is often linked to a lack of important B vitamins, such as B6, B12, folate, and riboflavin (also known as vitamin B2). It can also result from certain genetic factors.
When homocysteine levels rise, it can affect the way our blood vessels work. It stops the body from making enough nitric oxide, a substance that helps keep blood vessels relaxed and open.
Without enough nitric oxide, the small blood vessels start to tighten or narrow. This narrowing, known as vasoconstriction, can lead to higher blood pressure and increase the risk of other health issues.
The researchers looked at various studies and found that giving people B vitamins — not just from food, but as supplements — helped reduce homocysteine levels.
This, in turn, helped lower their blood pressure. In fact, the drop in blood pressure ranged from 6 to 13 mmHg, which is a significant improvement, especially for people who were not seeing results from medication.
This approach could be particularly helpful since about 12.8% of people with high blood pressure have the drug-resistant type. That means millions of people worldwide could benefit from this simple and affordable method.
However, there is still some disagreement about what a “normal” homocysteine level should be. Many labs currently say that up to 11.4 micromoles per liter (μmol/L) is normal.
But some experts think the upper limit should be lower — around 10 μmol/L or less — to better protect heart and blood vessel health. This debate shows that we may need to update our understanding of what’s truly healthy.
One of the most exciting things about this research is that using B vitamins as part of a treatment plan is generally safe and low-cost. However, it’s important to remember that people should not start taking high doses of vitamins on their own. Too much of certain vitamins can also cause harm.
That’s why it’s essential to speak with a doctor or healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re already taking medication for blood pressure.
This study gives hope to people who have struggled to manage their blood pressure with drugs alone. With the help of B vitamins, they might finally see better results. And for doctors, it offers a new tool that could be added to current treatment plans.
As research continues, we may see vitamins playing a bigger role in treating common health conditions like high blood pressure. Natural, safe, and inexpensive solutions like this could make a real difference in public health — especially when they are used alongside medical advice and support.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report . All rights reserved.