JoAnn E. Manson, MD, DrPH, Principal Investigator, VITAL Main Study and Chief, Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital describes the goals of the vitamin D and omega-3 Trial (VITAL) trial. VITAL is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 26,000 participants investigating whether taking daily dietary supplements of vitamin D (about 2000 IU) or fish oil (about 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids) reduces the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and stroke in people without a prior history of these illnesses.

Secondary goals of the VITAL trial include study of the role of vitamin D and omega-3s in improving cognitive function, preventing diabetes and reducing the risk of developing insulin resistance or glucose intolerance, and autoimmune diseases such as lupus.

Learn more at:
http://www.vitalstudy.org

Read the video transcript for Vitamin D and Omega-3s Impact on Chronic Disease Prevention at:
http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Departments_and_Services/medicine/services/video-transcripts/vitamin-d-and-omega-3-impact-on-chronic-disease-prevention-video-transcript.aspx

A commentary by Mayo Clinic Nephrologist Rajiv Kumar, M.D., in the current issue of the journal Kidney International suggests that Vitamin D may improve the treatment of renal disease. Dr. Kumar says that while larger clinical trials are needed, he believes doctors should start treating patients with diabetes who have low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin (the active form of vitamin D) with vitamin D3 to help slow down the progression of kidney damage. Dr. Kumar cautions that more research is needed and that patients should always consult their doctors before consuming vitamin D supplements on their own.