When discussing minerals and blood pressure the mineral that is usually mentioned in sodium. The relationship between sodium and blood pressure is more complex than is often considered. Most medical experts claim that as sodium intake increases, blood pressure also increases, and that by lowering sodium intake, blood pressure lowering effects can be seen. However, the available evidence does not support this contention, and human and animal studies prove conclusively that in the absence of other factors increasing and lowering sodium intake does not cause changes to blood pressure in healthy individuals. The exception to this may be a small number of individuals within the population who are genetically susceptible to blood pressure rises from dietary sodium. Further, a number of other minerals have been shown to be involved in the regulation of blood pressure. Therefore consideration of other minerals should always be given when considering blood pressure changes from dietary manipulation.
Low levels of calcium and magnesium may cause an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Supplementation with calcium to those with low intakes of calcium has been shown to cause reductions in blood pressure. The inference here is that low levels of calcium may cause elevations in blood pressure that are reduced by repleting the individual with the mineral. Magnesium is also cardioprotective because it may decrease the risk of a myocardial infarction. High intakes of calcium and magnesium can be obtained from a healthy diet. Good sources of calcium include canned fish (which contain their bones), dairy, spinach, broccoli and kale. Good sources of magnesium include whole grains, green leafy vegetables and nuts.
Calcium is one mineral that may have direct effects on blood pressure. Studies have assessed the effects of calcium supplements on blood pressure in healthy individuals. The results from these studies are inconclusive, however this inconclusivity relates to the methodological nuances that results from experimentation of different subjects with different baseline levels of nutrition. This is illustrated in one study where a large group of subjects were administered calcium supplements at 600 or 1200 mg per day. The results showed that the calcium supplementation had no effect on the blood pressure of the study population as a whole. However, when the subjects with low calcium intakes (below 785 md per day) were isolated and their blood pressure investigated, it was found that calcium was able to lower systolic blood pressure (-3.3 mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (-4.2 mm Hg) in these subjects at the 1200 mg per day level. This suggests that a low calcium intake may lead to blood pressure elevations.
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