Effects of One Year of Vitamin D and Marine Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation in Older US Adults.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether vitamin D and marine ω-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) supplementation reduces systemic inflammation biomarkers in older adults.
Results Summary
The study found that neither vitamin D nor n-3 FA supplementation over one year significantly reduced inflammation biomarkers (IL-6, TNFR2, hsCRP).
Population
Women ≥55 and men ≥50 years of age.
Effective Dosage
1 g/day of n-3 FA.
Duration
1 year.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D (2000 IU/day) | increase | 25-OH vitamin D | women ≥55 and men ≥50 years of age | 39% | rose | #1 |
n-3 FA (1 g/day) | increase | n-3 FA | women ≥55 and men ≥50 years of age | 55% | rose | #2 |
vitamin D (2000 IU/day) | increase | IL-6 | women ≥55 and men ≥50 years of age | 8.2% | resulted in 8.2% higher | #3 |
vitamin D (2000 IU/day) | no change | biomarkers | women ≥55 and men ≥50 years of age | - | neither supplement reduced | #4 |
n-3 FA (1 g/day) | no change | biomarkers | women ≥55 and men ≥50 years of age | - | neither supplement reduced | #5 |
vitamin D (2000 IU/day) | no change | biomarkers of inflammation | women ≥55 and men ≥50 years of age | - | neither supplement decreased | #6 |
n-3 FA (1 g/day) | no change | biomarkers of inflammation | women ≥55 and men ≥50 years of age | - | neither supplement decreased | #7 |
BACKGROUND: Observational studies suggest vitamin D and marine ω-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) supplements are associated with lower systemic inflammation. However, past trials have been inconsistent. METHODS: The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) tested vitamin D (2000 IU/day) and/or n-3 FA (1 g/day) supplementation in a 2 × 2 factorial design among women ≥55 and men ≥50 years of age. We assessed changes in interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentrations from baseline to 1 year among participants randomized to vitamin D + n-3 FA (392), vitamin D (392), n-3 FA (392), or placebo only (385). Geometric means and percent changes were compared, adjusting for baseline factors. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were well balanced. In the active arms, 25-OH vitamin D rose 39% and n-3 FA rose 55% vs minimal change in placebo arms. Neither supplement reduced biomarkers at 1 year. Vitamin D resulted in 8.2% higher IL-6 (95% CI, 1.5%-15.3%; adjusted CONCLUSIONS: In this large sample from a population-based randomized controlled trial, neither vitamin D nor n-3 FA supplementation over 1 year decreased these biomarkers of inflammation. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: NCT01169259; NCT01351805.