Effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on blood pressure: the Women's Health Initiative Randomized Trial.

What Was Tested

The paper reports a study of Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc in the context of low blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension, published as a randomized controlled trial.

The researchers examined the effect of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation on blood pressure and the incidence of hypertension in postmenopausal women.

Change in blood pressure and the incidence of hypertension were ascertained.

Who Took Part

According to the abstract, 36 women were involved.

By PubMed's age tags, the people studied were middle-aged adults and older adults, women only.

How the Study Was Run

The researchers set it up as a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study.

The women were allocated by chance, so the Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc group and the comparison group should start out alike.

As a double-blind Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc study, the assignments were hidden from both participants and investigators until the end.

The comparison arm used a placebo, so changes seen with Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc could be set against what happens without it.

What Was Measured

The subject headings attached to it are Blood Pressure, Calcium, Dietary Supplements, Hypertension, Incidence, Longitudinal Studies and Patient Compliance.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc in 36 women in people with low blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 2008 (Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)), a journal based in United States.

More context: the Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc compound page, Low blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension research.