Impact of Micronutrients on Hypertension: Evidence from Clinical Trials with a Special Focus on Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Hypertension (HT) is one of the pivotal risk factors for various detrimental diseases like cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cerebrovascular disease, and renal dysfunction. Currently, many researchers are paying immense attention to various diet formula (dietary approach) with a special focus on micro and macronutrients along with modified lifestyle and standard anti-hypertensive drugs. Micronutrients (minerals/vitamins) play a central role in the regulation of blood pressure (BP) as they aid the function of macronutrients and also improve the anti-hypertensive functions of some anti-hypertensive agents. Even though several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of micronutrients on controlling BP, still some ambiguity exists among the nutritionists/doctors, which combination or individual mineral (dietary approach) contributes to better BP regulation. Therefore, this critical review article was attempted to delineate the underlying role of micronutrients (minerals and vitamins) for the management and prevention or delaying of HT and their related complications with strong affirmation from clinical trials as well as its mechanism of controlling BP. Moreover, the major source and recommended daily allowance (RDA) of various micronutrients are included in this review for guiding common readers (especially HT subjects) and dieticians to choose/recommend a better micronutrient and their combinations (other nutrients and standard anti-hypertensive drugs) for lowering the risk of HT and its related co-morbid conditions like CVDs.

Keywords: CVDs; blood pressure; hypertension; minerals; vitamins.

Figure 1

Imbalanced micronutrients (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Se^2- and vitamin B6, B12, C, D, and E) and their sequential impact on blood pressure/hypertension. SNS—sympathetic nervous system; RAAS—renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; Na⁺—sodium; K⁺—potassium; Ca²⁺—calcium; Mg²⁺—magnesium; Zn²⁺—zinc; Cu²⁺—copper; Se²⁻—selenium.

Figure 2

The brief mechanism underpinning excess sodium or dietary salt (NaCl) induced high blood pressure or Hypertension (Adopted from Chiu et al. [22]). MBG—marinobufagenin; SNS—sympathetic nervous system; RAAS—renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; Na⁺—sodium; K⁺—potassium; ECF—extracellular fluid; ROS—reactive oxygen species; HT—hypertension. Upper Arrow indicate—Increase.