To date, there have not been large scale studies looking at preventative therapies for autoimmune diseases. Recently, the Vitamin D and marine N-3 fatty acid supplementation and prevention of autoimmune disease in the VITAL randomized control trial abstract was presented at the American College of Rheumatology yearly meeting by Dr. Karen Costenbander, one of the authors of the study.

Overview of the Vitamin D & Omega 3 Study

This ancillary study from the original VITAL trial which initially evaluated the primary outcome of cancer and cardiovascular disease (New England Journal of Medicine 2019), looked at whether daily oral vitamin D supplementation and daily oral omega 3 fatty acids could prevent the onset of autoimmune diseases in adults.

Analysis & Findings of the Vitamin D & Omega 3 Study

Men aged 55 and higher and women aged 55 or higher were included and analyzed in the following way:

12,937 participants were given Vitamin D 2,000 U/day. Of these participants, 6,468 were also given 1 gram daily of N-3 fatty acids and 6,469 were also given placebo.

A different set of 12, 937 participants were given a placebo pill. Of these participants, 6,468 were also given 1 gram daily of N-3 fatty acids and 6,469 were also given placebo.

Compared to the placebo-placebo group, after 5 years of use, all the intervention arms (with vitamin D3 and/or n-3 fatty acids) reduced incident autoimmune disease by 25-30% vs. those who received neither supplement. The effect of vitamin D supplementation appeared stronger after 2 years of supplementation.

Limitations of the Vitamin D & Omega 3 Study

Limitations of the study include the following: did not study a high risk or a particularly vitamin deficient population where the effects on these supplements may have then been even greater. Also, the study focused on patients older than 50, so prevention of other autoimmune diseases in younger populations remains to be proven.

Conclusion

However, Dr. Costenbader states that the clinical importance still remains high as these are generally “well tolerated, non-toxic supplements and there are no other known effective therapies to reduce the incidence of autoimmune diseases.”

Interested in talking to a rheumatologist about your autoimmune disease? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Jain, a rheumatologist with over 10 years of experience treating patients in the Westchester County and Fairfield County area.