Ancillary Studies
Although the main goal of VITAL is to test whether vitamin D or omega-3 fatty acids can prevent cancer, heart disease, and stroke, we are also assessing whether these supplements confer other health benefits, such as lowering the risk for:
• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• memory loss or cognitive decline
• autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus
• physical disability and falls
• bone fractures
• anemia
• eye problems such as macular degeneration and dry eye syndrome
• infections
• asthma
• depression
• diabetes-related kidney disease
• impaired kidney function in people with high blood pressure
• chronic knee pain symptoms
• atrial fibrillation
In addition, some participants within driving distance of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts had optional clinic visits for more detailed studies, including tests of blood sugar, lung function, physical function, bone density, and heart structure.
Please see issues 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 of our study newsletter for a summary of findings of ancillary studies published in 2019-2023. Future study newsletters will summarize forthcoming ancillary results.