VITAL trial on vitamin D

VITAL trial on vitamin D Role of vitamin D in cardiovascular disease has been suggested by observational studies. Low blood levels of vitamin D was found to be associated with higher risks of heart disease, stroke, hypertension and diabetes mellitus [1]. But the 2011 Institute of Medicine (United States) guidance concluded that the evidence is inconsistent and inconclusive, not meeting the criteria for a cause effect relationship [2]. VITAL study was a randomized placebo controlled trial of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) at a dose of 2000 IU per day and omega-3 fatty acids at a dose of 1 g per day for prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease [3]. 25,871 participants were men aged 50 years or more and women aged 55 years or more in the United States. Primary end points of the study were invasive cancer of any type and major cardiovascular events which was a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke or death from cardiovascular causes. Secondary endpoints were site specific cancer, death from cancer and additional cardiovascular events. Median follow up period of the VITAL study was 5.3 years. 396 major cardiovascular events occurred in the vitamin D group and 409 in the placebo group. The difference was not statistically significant. Vitamin D supplementation did not result in lower incidence of invasive cancer. There was no excess risks of hypercalcemia or other adverse events due to vitamin D supplementation in the study [3]. No significant differences in the secondar...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Cardiology Source Type: blogs