Trial Watch

 

Fish oil and vitamin D have been touted as inexpensive dietary supplements for helping prevent heart disease, stroke, and some kinds of cancer. VITAL — the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial — aims to provide hard evidence about whether they actually work, as well as about the safety of high doses of these widely used supplements. The trial, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, plans to include 20,000 participants — women over age 60 and men over age 65 — representing every state who have never had a stroke or been diagnosed with heart disease or cancer. Participants will be mailed calendar packets containing the study pills, either 2,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D (current recommendations call for 400 IU to 600 IU), or 1,000 milligrams of fish oil, or placebos. The volunteers will not have to see a study doctor or travel to Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, which is conducting the study. For more information about VITAL, call (toll-free) 800-388-3963 or visit www.vitalstudy.org.

 

To continue reading this article, you must log in.

Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.

  • Research health conditions
  • Check your symptoms
  • Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
  • Find the best treatments and procedures for you
  • Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
Learn more about the many benefits and features of joining Harvard Health Online »

I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.

Sign Me Up

Already a member? Login ».

Disclaimer:

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Sign Up
Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift.

The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness, is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss...from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts.

BONUS! Sign up now and
get a FREE copy of the
Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.