BLOOD-PRESSURE AND PLASMA-LIPIDS DURING ASCORBIC-ACID SUPPLEMENTATION IN BORDERLINE HYPERTENSIVE AND NORMOTENSIVE ADULTS

In order to clarify the relationship of vitamin C to hypertension, a tablet of 1000 mg ascorbic acid (AA) or a placebo was supplied daily to 20 adult subjects for two 6-week periods in a randomized, crossover design. The subjects consumed self-selected diets and were in good vitamin C status; and 12 were classified as borderline hypertensive. AA supplementation reduced systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure but did not affect diastolic blood pressure. Total plasma cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and total triglyceride were not affected. It appears that vitamin C supplementation may have therapeutic value in human hypertensive disease.