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Amin D and omega-3 fatty acids supplements fall short when it comes to disease prevention
February 1, 2019
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E (CKD) is a common complication of type 2 diabetes that can lead to end-stage kidney disease and is associated with high cardiovascular risk.
Few treatments are available to prevent CKD in type 2 diabetes. Design, setting, and participants: Randomized clinical trial with a 2 × 2 factorial design conducted among 1312 adults with type 2 diabetes recruited between November 2011 and March 2014 from all 50 US states as an ancillary study to the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL), coordinated by a single center in Massachusetts. Follow-up was completed in December 2017.
Interventions: Participants were randomized to receive vitamin D3 (2000 IU/d) and omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid; 1 g/d) (n = 370), vitamin D3 and placebo (n = 333), placebo and omega-3 fatty acids (n = 289), or 2 placebos (n = 320) for 5 years. Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcome was change in glomerular filtration rate estimated from serum creatinine and cystatin C (eGFR) from baseline to year 5. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT.
Omega-3 And Vitamin D – What’S The Difference?
Although some foods and supplements, such as fish and Möller’s cod liver oil (CLO), contain both omega-3 and vitamin D, they are also found separately in different animal and plant foods.
Omega-3 For Your Heart, Brain And Eyes
Studies show that the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are included in vital processes in the body, such as building blocks in the cardiovascular system, which means they have a positive effect on the human heart. Additionally, the DHA fatty acid is unique in being the most important omega-3 fatty acid for the brain and eyesight.
Studies show that there is a connection between a mother’s intake of DHA during pregnancy and the normal development of the brain of her foetus. Vitamin D 3 is the preferred form since it is easier for the body to absorb, break down and use. While vitamin D 2 can be found in foods such as mushroom, D 3 can be found in animal food sources.
Children from the age of 1 year and adults need 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day. This includes pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people at risk of vitamin D deficiency. But since it’s difficult to get enough vitamin D from food alone, everyone (including pregnant and breastfeeding women) should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter.”
The NHS also recommends eating at least two meals of fatty fish per week.
This corresponds to 300–450 grams of pure fish. Of this, 200 grams should be from oily fish such as salmon, trout, mackerel and herring, containing more of the omega-3 fatty acids. In order to benefit from the effects of EPA and DHA, you should be getting 250 mg of these fatty acids daily.