Posted on 01/28/2022 9:33:48 AM PST by Red Badger
Study of older adults is 'first direct evidence' of protection against rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, other conditions
In a new study, investigators from Brigham and Women’s Hospital found the people who took vitamin D, or vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, had a significantly lower rate of autoimmune diseases — such as rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, autoimmune thyroid disease, and psoriasis — than people who took a placebo.
With their findings published Wednesday in BMJ, the team had 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 nontoxic vitamins and supplements preventing potentially highly morbid diseases,” said senior author Karen Costenbader 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.”
“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.”
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.
“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, 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, a postdoctoral 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.
This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health grants R01 AR059086, U01 CA138962, R01 CA138962.
Ping.
If they keep it up with these positive studies on vitamin D-3, the CDC will ban it.
Our sheltered, tech-controlled, indoor lifestyles have taking a heavy toll.
Both substances/ supplements are noted anti-inflammatory agents. More and more health issues or being found that are rooted in inflammation.
20 years ago my cardiologist told me that they were finding evidence that clogged arteries were caused by inflammation.
Doesn’t work in the winter anywhere north of Atlanta.
You also don’t need to reveal that much skin.
Eat more fish, Drink more D milk.
I was going to a "wholistic" chiropractic health nut a few years ago (it did help with debilitating siatica) and her recommendation was full-body exposure to mid-day sun for 15 minutes. I laughed and asked her if she would post bail for me.
I think people don’t need a lot of sun exposure to have a good vitamin d level. I guess a few minutes on arms and maybe legs, 3 days per week, is enough.
He said, "You've done your research. Keep it up. I wouldn't change a thing."
I haven't had so much as a sniffle since.
If you look at the map from that 2008 article, note that the states north of 37° North Latitude have very high COVID rates, mostly "blue" states.
Definitely, any exposure is better than none. And you’d be surprised at the number of basement-dwellers who get none.
If the altitude of the sun is below 50 degrees, the good UVs bounce off the atmosphere.
Cool website. Thanks.
Look up the “Moon” app if you get a chance.
Air conditioning has exacerbated the problem.
Thanks for the Moon app tip!
Thanks!
Just read a related article, here, the other day…
Study finds vitamin D supplements with or without Omega-3s decreased risk of autoimmune diseases
Medical Xpress / Brigham and Women’s Hospital / BMJ ^ | Jan. 26, 2022 | Hahn J. et al.
Posted on 1/26/2022, 11:21:11 PM by ConservativeMind
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 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….
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4033033/posts
Since I increased my D3 intake, my own autoimmune disorder has become a lot more manageable.
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