Vitamin D and Omega-3’s May Help Protect Against Autoimmune Conditions

When the body’s immune system goes into overdrive and attacks healthy cells, it can trigger an unwanted autoimmune condition. According to a new study, supplementation with vitamin D or omega-3 fatty acids may offer support against autoimmune conditions.

Participants in the study included 25,871 adults with an average age of 67 who took part in the VITAL study. The researchers administered questionnaires at the beginning of the study to assess the use of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplements. Participants were categorized based on whether they took both supplements, one of the supplements, or none. They were followed for an average of 5.3 years and all incidences of autoimmune conditions were recorded.

Vitamin D supplementation, with or without omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, was found to reduce the autoimmune condition risk by 22%, compared to the placebo group. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, with or without vitamin D supplementation, reduced the risk by 15%.

Participants who took 2,000 IUs of vitamin D and 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids daily had a 22% reduced risk.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. It was published online ahead of print on January 26, 2022 in the journal the BMJ.

A previous study found that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil combined with strength training may boost immunity.