There's a new study in the works called VITAL or VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL The study is designed to see if vitamin D and omega-3s in fish oil can lower the risk of cancer, heart attacks and strokes.
This is a huge study which will also look at the supplements' effects on other illnesses. They plan on studying diabetes, high blood pressure, bone density, vision, memory loss, depression, autoimmune disease and other health outcomes.
It is already known that vitamin D can prevent falls and fractures but only if enough vitamin D is taken. How much is enough? In a study with people who had impaired fasting blood sugar they found that those who got vitamin D with calcium had a smaller rise in blood sugar levels than those who received a placebo. Now they want to replicate this study in clinical trials and see if vitamin D can actually lower the risk of diabetes.
Another area the trials plan to cover is depression. There are many qualitative statements that vitamin D helps elevate moods and now VITAL plans to have a clinical trail to determine whether that is fact or wishful thinking.Because vitamin D does have anti-inflammatory effects, many believe it can be used to lower the risk of lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and even multiple sclerosis. Again, more data is needed to reach a firm conclusion.
The VITAL trial launches in January, 2010 with researchers at Harvard University and elsewhere. Click here for more information about what will take place. I believe we are going to hear a lot about VITAL for the next few years.
You can bet I'll keep you posted.
To your successful aging.
Ruthan
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