A randomized, placebo-controlled study of 25,000 older adults found those who took vitamin D, or vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, had a significantly lower rate of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis compared with people who took a placebo. The study was part of the larger, nationwide VITAL trial, and the findings were published January 26 in theBMJ.
It is exciting to have these new and positive results for nontoxic vitamins and supplements preventing potentially highly morbid diseases, said the study's senior author,Karen Costenbader, MD, MPH, a professor at Harvard Medical School and the director of the lupus program at Brigham and Womens Hospital, both in Boston, in a news release.
This is the first direct evidence we have that daily supplementation may reduce autoimmune disease incidence, and what looks like a more pronounced effect after two years of supplementation for vitamin D, said Dr. Costenbader.
A normally functioning immune system helps prevent illness from infection and disease, but in a person with autoimmune disease, the immune system is too active and mistakenly attacks the bodys own cells and tissues.
There are more than 80 known autoimmune diseases, including conditions such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes. Approximately 5 to 8 percent of people more than 24 million in the United States live with an autoimmune disorder, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
Experts dont know how autoimmune diseases occur; they arent contagious. A hereditary link is present in many autoimmune conditions, and it may be that a virus or an environmental factor triggers the disease if a person already has the genes for it, per the NIEHS.
There is some evidence that certain autoimmune diseases are related to vitamin D levels, and some autoimmune conditions, such as MS, are more common in northern latitudes where vitamin D levels are, on average, lower because of low sun exposure, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Several clinical trials, including a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, have found that omega-3 fatty acids taken in the form of fish oil supplements may improve the symptoms of some autoimmune diseases.
The original VITAL study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 25,871 people that observed the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on different types of cancer and cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. Participants were 71 percent non-Hispanic white, 20 percent Black, and 9 percent other racial or ethnic groups; 51 percent were women, and the average age was 67.1 years old.
Before the start of that trial, researchers also planned to examine whether the supplements would have any impact on how many people developed an autoimmune disease as part of an ancillary study. After a median follow-up of 5.3 years, researchers found the following results:
But the study did find evidence of an increased effect of the omega-3 fatty acid supplement after a longer duration of supplementation.
The study is fascinating, says Elizabeth Bradley, MD, the medical director of Cleveland Clinics Center for Functional Medicine in Ohio, who was not involved in this research. The researchers saw a significant decrease in the development of autoimmune disease after supplementing with vitamin D, she says.
At the Center for Functional Medicine, Dr. Bradley and a team of healthcare providers run groups for people with different types of autoimmune disorders.
These findings fit with what we see in real life; we routinely check vitamin D and omega levels in people with autoimmune diseases, and I would say 99 percent of the time, they are low in both unless they are taking a supplement already or eating a diet high in fatty fish, she says.
Although these findings make Bradley want to recommend supplements to almost everyone, she does think its a good idea to get your levels checked first. Research indicates that people whose vitamin D levels place them in the lowest quartile would likely get the most benefit from taking a supplement, she says.
To reduce the risk of autoimmune disease in women age 55 years and older and men 50 years and older, Costenbader recommends 2,000 international units (IU) ofvitamin D a day and 1,000 milligrams (mg) a day of marine omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) the doses used in VITAL.
Its a good idea to check in with your doctor before taking supplements, says Bradley. We do have to be careful with vitamin D supplementation because it is stored in our fat and can accumulate in the body, she says. Though it isnt very common, taking very large doses could result in toxicity, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Fish oil supplements can vary in quality, says Bradley. Your provider may have suggestions on what to look for in labeling, or you can research different brands at independent websites such as ConsumerLab.com, which reviews and rates supplements.
Read more from the original source:
Vitamin D and Fish Oil Supplement May Reduce the Risk of Autoimmune Disease - Everyday Health
- Guselkumab Demonstrates Significant Improvement in Psoriasis Symptoms and HRQoL, Reduces Sexual Impairment ... - Dermatology Times - April 18th, 2024 [April 18th, 2024]
- Psoriasis Patients with Arthralgia At Increased Risk of Psoriatic Arthritis Development - MD Magazine - April 18th, 2024 [April 18th, 2024]
- Diagnosing Psoriatic Arthritis for the Dermatologist: Guidance From the Experts - Medscape - April 18th, 2024 [April 18th, 2024]
- Secukinumab 300 mg May Improve PsA or Active Psoriasis More Than 150 mg - MD Magazine - April 18th, 2024 [April 18th, 2024]
- The Impact of Pediatric Plaque Psoriasis on Children and Caregivers - HMP Global Learning Network - April 18th, 2024 [April 18th, 2024]
- Guselkumab Led to Improvements Over Several Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Domains - MD Magazine - April 18th, 2024 [April 18th, 2024]
- Dual Diagnosing and Managing Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis - The Dermatologist - April 18th, 2024 [April 18th, 2024]
- Etanercept Effective for Psoriasis, Rheumatic Disease Among Patients Extending Treatment After 12-Weeks - MD Magazine - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- High Response Rates in Psoriasis With Oral IL-23 Inhibitor - Medpage Today - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Psoriasis and eczema have complex causes and consequences that researchers are seeking to uncover - Medical Xpress - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- New Hope in Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis: Study Shows Promising Results - Medriva - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- No Difference in Psoriasis Immune Response Despite Switch Between AVT02, Adalimumab - MD Magazine - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Oral IL-23 Receptor Antagonist Peptide Effective in PASI Reduction for Psoriasis - MD Magazine - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Breakthrough in Psoriasis Treatment: JNJ-77242113 Shows Promising Results - Medriva - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Promising Results from Phase II Trial of Oral Interleukin Inhibitor for Psoriasis Treatment - Medriva - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Promising Results from the FRONTIER 1 Trial - An Exploration of JNJ-77242113 in the Treatment of Moderate-to ... - Medriva - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Personal Experience with Psoriatic Arthritis and Atopic Dermatitis - Medriva - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Rising Cost of Stelara: Impact on Patients and Johnson & Johnson's Market Performance - Medriva - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Global Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) Treatment Market to achieve a remarkable US$ 15.6 Billion by 2028, - PharmiWeb.com - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Tremfya potential highlighted by industry analyst GlobalData - The Pharma Letter - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Stress Leads to Increased Risk of Depression, Anxiety for Psoriasis ... - MD Magazine - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Janssen Announces Positive Results From Guselkumab Psoriatic ... - Dermatology Times - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Early Intervention with Secukinumab May Be Effective for Patients ... - MD Magazine - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- VEGF-A Inhibition Downregulates Blood Vessel Area in Psoriasis - Dermatology Times - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Scratching the itch, Lynk Pharmaceuticals trialling ointment for ... - OutSourcing-Pharma.com - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Brepocitinib More Efficacious Than Placebo in Long-Term Psoriatic ... - Dermatology Times - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- For Patients With Birthmarks, Psychosocial Interventions Improved ... - Dermatology Times - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Robert Hariri, MD: Natural Killer Cell Therapy Shows Remarkable ... - MD Magazine - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Nalbuphine ER Tablets Show Promise as Cough Therapy in ... - MD Magazine - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Benefit of Empagliflozin in HFpEF Consistent Regardless of Diuretic ... - MD Magazine - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- selectION reports results from SAD stage of si-544 Phase Ib trial - Clinical Trials Arena - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- No Link Observed Between Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery and New ... - MD Magazine - May 30th, 2023 [May 30th, 2023]
- Lynk doses first cohort in Phase Ib trial of psoriasis therapy - Clinical Trials Arena - May 30th, 2023 [May 30th, 2023]
- Metabolic Inflammation Contributes to Depression in Psoriatic Disease - Dermatology Times - May 30th, 2023 [May 30th, 2023]
- Encouraging Diversity and Inclusion for Patients With Psoriatic ... - MD Magazine - May 30th, 2023 [May 30th, 2023]
- The Weekly Roundup: May 22-26 - Dermatology Times - May 30th, 2023 [May 30th, 2023]
- Pediatric Psoriasis Market: A Study of the Industry's Key Applications ... - The Navajo Post - May 30th, 2023 [May 30th, 2023]
- Phototherapy Lamps Market are set to witness a CAGR of 5.8 ... - Digital Journal - May 30th, 2023 [May 30th, 2023]
- Celltrion seeks approval for Stelara biosimilar in EU - The Investor - May 30th, 2023 [May 30th, 2023]
- Peter Marinkovich, MD: FDA Approval of B-VEC Gene Therapy for ... - MD Magazine - May 30th, 2023 [May 30th, 2023]
- Nick Stucky, MD, Phd: Implications for Media Influence on Minoxidil ... - MD Magazine - May 30th, 2023 [May 30th, 2023]
- Tildrakizumab Linked With HRQOL Improvement in Psoriasis in a Real-World Setting - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Clinical Utility of Deucravacitinib for the Management of Moderate to ... - Dove Medical Press - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Covid-19 and Psoriasis: Is there a link? - Dunya News - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Improvement Needed in Study Interventions to Better Skin Self ... - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Reviva Pharmaceuticals Announces Intent to File an IND for Brilaroxazine in Psoriasis After Promising Preclinical Data - Marketscreener.com - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Adam Friedman, MD: Addressing Disparities in Care for Patients ... - MD Magazine - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Early-Infancy Meningitis Infection Linked With Increased Risk of ... - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- NOVN: Counting Down to PDUFA - Yahoo Finance - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) Treatment Market is likely to register CAGR ... - Future Market Insights - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- New campaign raises awareness of topical steroid withdrawal - Professional Beauty - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- MoonLake Immunotherapeutics completes patient enrollment and randomization ahead of schedule in a Phase 2 trial of the Nanobody sonelokimab in... - February 2nd, 2023 [February 2nd, 2023]
- EVELO BIOSCIENCES, INC. : Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, Change in Directors or Principal Officers, Other Events (form 8-K) -... - February 2nd, 2023 [February 2nd, 2023]
- 12 Ways to Treat Psoriasis at Home - Healthline - January 22nd, 2023 [January 22nd, 2023]
- DTC Advertising Of Prescription Drugs In The U.S. Often Promotes Products With Comparatively Low Therapeutic Value - Forbes - January 19th, 2023 [January 19th, 2023]
- Types of Psoriasis: Pictures, Symptoms and Treatments - Healthline - December 18th, 2022 [December 18th, 2022]
- Psoriasis Pathogenesis and Treatment - PMC - PubMed Central (PMC) - November 23rd, 2022 [November 23rd, 2022]
- Drug-Provoked Psoriasis: Is It Drug Induced or Drug Aggravated? - November 23rd, 2022 [November 23rd, 2022]
- Im a Dermatologist and These 7 Things Could Be Making Your Psoriasis Worse - Well+Good - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- 'Worst time of the year for me to be covered in scabs': Amber Heard's Alleged Ex Cara Delevingne Revealed Her Psoriasis Struggle Made Kate Moss Scream... - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Psoriasis: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes, Types & Treatment - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- What is psoriasis and which foods ease symptoms? - Evening Standard - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- Chronic inflammatory diseases: what they are - Emergency Live International - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- How remote care can deliver a step change in treatment for inflammatory skin conditions - PoliticsHome - October 17th, 2022 [October 17th, 2022]
- Probiotics Supplementation may Improve Symptoms of Hyperuricemia and Gout - Rheumatology Network - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Psoriasis Pathogenesis and Treatment - PubMed - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Best and Worst Drinks for Psoriasis - Everyday Health - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- These Are the 10 Most Common Chronic Skin Conditionsand the Most Important Facts to Know About Them - Parade Magazine - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Survey Addresses Concerns Regarding Reproductive Healthcare Communication in Women with RA, PsA - Rheumatology Network - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Psoriasis Types, Symptoms & Causes | NIAMS - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- What Is Psoriasis And Can It Be Treated? - Forbes - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Plaque Psoriasis Treated With Tildrakizumab Shown to be Effective in Real-World Settings - MD Magazine - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Alumis Announces Initiation of Patient Dosing in Phase 2 Clinical Trial of ESK-001 for the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis - Business Wire - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- 15 Items That Will Make Your Life With Psoriatic Arthritis Easier - BlackDoctor.Org - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Types of Psoriasis and Their Effects on the Immune System - Cureus - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- MoonLake Immunotherapeutics to initiate global Phase 2 study of the Nanobody sonelokimab in patients with active psoriatic arthritis - BioSpace - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- How diversity and inclusion continues to be incorporated in dermatology - PMLiVE - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- Arcutis Announces Topline Results From ARRECTOR Pivotal Phase 3 Trial Of Roflumilast Foam 0.3% In Scalp A - Benzinga - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- Psoriasis Treatment Market Size to Hit USD 51.24 Bn by 2030 - GlobeNewswire - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Ventyx Sees Initiation Of Mid-Stage Psoriasis Study In Q4 2022 Following Positive Data From Initial-Stage - Benzinga - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]