Study finds vitamin D supplements with or without Omega-3s decreased risk of autoimmune diseases
This is the first direct evidence that daily supplementation may reduce Autoimmune disease incidence.
FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:
The risk of developing a new autoimmune disease was significantly reduced by supplementation with Vitamin D at 2000 IU/day in adults aged 55+ years, according to this large-scale clinical trial, involving over 25,000 participants followed up for 5 years.Benefits over placebo tretment were found for Vitamin D either alone, or with long-chain omega-3 supplementation in addition (at 1000mg/day of EPA/DHA).
Vitamin D plays an essential role in immune system regulation in addition to its numerous other functions - and deficiencies have long been linked with disorders of immune function - including not only autoimmune disease, but also allergies and impaired resistance to infections.
Autoimmune diseases - in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells - occur in numerous forms, depending on the target organs or tissues affected. Examples include rheumatoid arthritis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, autoimmune Thyroid disease, psoriasis, Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and ankylosing spondalitis.
Predisposing genetic factors for many autoimmune diseases have been identified, but adverse environmental factors are required to trigger their onset, and as current treatments are primarily based on symptom management, their cumulative prevalence increases with age.
This finding that high-dose Vitamin D supplementation (with or without omega-3) can prevent the occurrence of new automimmune diseases - at least in older adults - has huge implications for both clinical practice and public health, as high rates of Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are now common in almost all developed countries.
It also adds weight to calls for an increased in current recommended intakes of Vitamin D, which in the UK are only 400 IU /day - i.e. one fifth of the 2000 IU dose that was used in this trial - and which clinical trials have also found effective in reducing symptoms of depression.
For the underlying research, please see:
For further information please see also:
See also:
26/01/2022 - Medical Xpress
--------------------------------
Autoimmune diseases (AD) such as rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, autoimmune thyroid disease and psoriasis, are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality as people age. Few effective treatments are available for AD, but some preclinical studies have hinted that supplements, including vitamin D and omega-3 (or n-3) fatty acids, may have beneficial effects.
In a new study published in BMJ, investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital evaluated whether taking vitamin D and/or omega fatty acid supplements could affect rates of AD. The team tested this in the large-scale vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL), a randomized study which followed participants for approximately five years. Investigators found the people who took vitamin D, or vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids had a significantly lower rate of AD than people who took a placebo.
Autoimmune diseases (AD) such as rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, autoimmune thyroid disease and psoriasis, are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality as people age. Few effective treatments are available for AD, but some preclinical studies have hinted that supplements, including vitamin D and omega-3 (or n-3) fatty acids, may have beneficial effects.
In a new study published in BMJ, investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital evaluated whether taking vitamin D and/or omega fatty acid supplements could affect rates of AD. The team tested this in the large-scale vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL), a randomized study which followed participants for approximately five years. Investigators found the people who took vitamin D, or vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids had a significantly lower rate of AD than people who took a placebo.
"It is exciting to have these new and positive results for non-toxic vitamins and supplements preventing potentially highly morbid diseases," said senior author Karen Costenbader, MD, MPH, of the Brigham's Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity.
"This is the first direct evidence we have that daily supplementation may reduce AD incidence, and what looks like more pronounced effect after two years of supplementation for vitamin D.
"We look forward to honing and expanding our findings and encourage professional societies to consider these results and emerging data when developing future guidelines for the prevention of autoimmune diseases in midlife and older adults."
"This is the first direct evidence we have that daily supplementation may reduce AD incidence, and what looks like more pronounced effect after two years of supplementation for vitamin D.
"We look forward to honing and expanding our findings and encourage professional societies to consider these results and emerging data when developing future guidelines for the prevention of autoimmune diseases in midlife and older adults."
"Now, when my patients, colleagues, or friends ask me which vitamins or supplements I'd recommend they take to reduce risk of autoimmune disease, I have new evidence-based recommendations for women age 55 years and older and men 50 years and older," said Costenbader.
"I suggest vitamin D 2000 IU a day and marine omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), 1000 mg a day—the doses used in VITAL."
"I suggest vitamin D 2000 IU a day and marine omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), 1000 mg a day—the doses used in VITAL."
VITAL is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled research study of 25,871 men (age 50 and older) and women (age 55 and older) across the U.S., conducted to investigate whether taking daily dietary supplements of vitamin D3 (2000 IU) or omega-3 fatty acids (Omacor fish oil, 1 gram) could reduce the risk for developing cancer, heart disease and stroke in people who do not have a prior history of these illnesses.
Participants were randomized to receive either vitamin D with an omega-3 fatty acid supplement; vitamin D with a placebo; omega-3 fatty acid with a placebo; or placebo only. Prior to the launch of VITAL, investigators determined that they would also look at rates of AD among participants, as part of an ancillary study.
Participants were randomized to receive either vitamin D with an omega-3 fatty acid supplement; vitamin D with a placebo; omega-3 fatty acid with a placebo; or placebo only. Prior to the launch of VITAL, investigators determined that they would also look at rates of AD among participants, as part of an ancillary study.
"Given the benefits of vitamin D and omega-3s for reducing inflammation, we were particularly interested in whether they could protect against autoimmune diseases," said JoAnn Manson, MD, DrPH, co-author and director of the parent VITAL trial at the Brigham.
Participants answered questionnaires about new diagnoses of diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, autoimmune thyroid disease, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease, with space to write in all other new onset ADs. Trained physicians reviewed patients' medical records to confirm reported diagnoses.
"Autoimmune diseases are common in older adults and negatively affect health and life expectancy. Until now, we have had no proven way of preventing them, and now, for the first time, we do," said first author, Jill Hahn, ScD, post-doctoral fellow at the Brigham. "It would be exciting if we could go on to verify the same preventive effects in younger individuals."
Among patients who were randomized to receive vitamin D, 123 participants in the treatment group and 155 in the placebo group were diagnosed with confirmed AD (22 percent reduction). Among those in the fatty acid arm, confirmed AD occurred in 130 participants in the treatment group and 148 in the placebo group. Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids alone did not significantly lower incidence of AD, but the study did find evidence of an increased effect after longer duration of supplementation.
The VITAL study included a large and diverse sample of participants, but all participants were older and results may not be generalizable to younger individuals who experience AD earlier in life. The trial also only tested one dose and one formulation of each supplement. The researchers note that longer follow-up may be more informative to assess whether the effects are long-lasting.
Food and Behaviour Research is a registered charity (No SC034604) and a company limited by guarantee (Co No SC 253448)
Newsletter Signup
Useful Links
Contact Us
FAB Research
23 Carlton Road
Oxford
OX2 7SA
Important Notice
Medical opinion and guidance should always be sought for any symptoms that might possibly reflect a known or suspected disease, disorder or medical condition. Information provided on this website (or by FAB Research via any other means) does not in any way constitute advice on the treatment of any medical condition formally diagnosed or otherwise.
Site by Redstone Websites. Easy to Use Web Content Management. 2026 © All Rights Reserved.