Fish Oil and Vitamin D to be Studied for Benifits

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The government is sponsoring a new study to determine the effectiveness of 2 very popular supplements- Fish Oil (the best source of Omega 3’s) and vitamin D. Both supplements have evidence that they may help protect against cancer, heart disease and a host of other diseases. But most of the evidence is anecdotal so this study seeks to put some hard numbers to the claims. At any rate, we do know that many people are deficient in vitamin D (and most other nutrients) and really should take a supplement, but the best way is to let your body make its own by getting about 15 minutes of direct sun on at least 30% of your body several time a week. Vitamin D is made by your skin in large quantities when exposed to sun light.

Grilled Salmon

The same is true of fish oil- eating oily fish like tuna and salmon a couple of time a week may be better than taking a capsule.

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The new study, which will start later this year, will enroll 20,000 people with no history of heart attacks, stroke or a major cancer — women 65 or older and men 60 or older. They will be randomly assigned to take vitamin D, fish oil, both nutrients or dummy pills for five years.

The daily dose of vitamin D will be about 2,000 international units of D-3, also known as cholecalciferol, the most active form. For fish oil, the daily dose will be about one gram — five to 10 times what the average American gets.

Participants’ health will be monitored through questionnaires, medical records and in some cases, periodic in-person exams.

“We’re hoping to see a result during the trial, that we won’t have to wait five years” to find out if supplements help, Manson said.

Researchers also plan to study whether these nutrients help prevent memory loss, depression, diabetes, osteoporosis and other problems, Buring said.

The $20 million study will be sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and other federal agencies. Pharmavite LLC of Northridge, Calif., is providing the vitamin D pills, and Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd. of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is providing the omega-3 fish oil capsules.