Vitamin D Supplementation — Results from the VITAL Study

Vitamin D did not prevent adverse cardiovascular events or cancer in a large randomized trial.

VITAL (Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial) is a large U.S. primary prevention trial designed to examine whether two widely used supplements lower the incidence of cardiovascular (CV) disease or cancer. Nearly 26,000 middle-aged and older adults (mean age, 67) with no history of CV disease, cancer, or other serious disorders were randomized to receive vitamin D₃ (2000 IU daily) or placebo and to receive ω-3 fatty acids or placebo. (We've summarized the results of the ω-3 fatty acid comparison separately [NEJM JW Gen Med Dec 15 and N Engl J Med 2018 Nov 10; (e-pub)]).

At baseline, mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 31 ng/mL; at 1 year, mean levels had increased to 42 ng/mL in vitamin D₃ recipients and hadn't changed in the placebo group. During…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Vitamin D Supplementation — Results from the VITAL Study

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Reviewing Author