Julie E. Buring

Vitamin D and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Trial 2017: Addressing Effects on Muscle and Bone

Vitamin D is widely used to benefit skeletal health, but effects on bone are inconsistent. The VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) is a large, nationwide randomized controlled trial (RCT) in the USA testing the effects of daily supplemental vitamin D and/or omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular disease and cancer outcomes. Two ancillary studies, VITAL: Effects on Fractures and VITAL: Effects on Bone Structure and Architecture, are investigating effects of vitamin D on fracture risk and bone health measures, respectively. Fractures are adjudicated through medical record review in the nationwide VITAL cohort, and bone and muscle health measures are assessed in a subcohort in Boston, MA. VITAL will clarify the relationship between supplemental vitamin D and bone health and inform public health guidelines on the use of vitamin D for the prevention of bone loss, fractures, and decreases in physical performance.