More Data on Muscle Mass, Strength, and Falls with Vitamin D Supplementation

In the randomized, placebo-controlled DO-HEALTH trial, ≈2100 generally healthy and physically active older Europeans (age, >70) received vitamin D₃ supplementation (2000 IU daily), ω-3 fatty acid supplementation (1 g daily), strength-training exercises, or combinations of these interventions. At 3 years, none of the interventions had lowered risk for fractures or improved general physical or cognitive function (NEJM JW Gen Med Dec 15 2020 and JAMA 2020; 324:1855).

Because we have some evidence that these interventions could increase muscle mass in older people, the researchers now report secondary muscle-related outcomes. During 3 years of follow-up, participants had serial assessments for lean muscle mass (measured by dual-energy x-ray abso…