According to a recent study, taking vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids reduces the risk of infection in people over 70. The study focused on the aging process and the effects of strength training as well as nutritional supplements containing vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids.
The DO-HEALTH study was conducted as the largest randomized, double-blind study on aging to date, led by Zurich geriatrician Prof. Heike Bischoff-Ferrari. The research team worked with 2,157 subjects aged 70+ who had no significant underlying illnesses. The study was "randomized" by assigning the more than 2,000 participants to eight groups by chance. The study is considered "double-blind" because neither the subjects nor the research team knew who was in which group. Depending on their assignment, the participants received none, one, two, or all three of the following interventions: simple strength training at home, daily intake of one gram of omega-3 fatty acid, and/or daily intake of 2,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D3. The so-called control groups received placebos. Over a period of three years, seven European study centers recorded the condition of the participants through telephone interviews and annual full-day visits.
Demonstrable effect on infection risk
The initial evaluation could not show a significant improvement in the measures regarding bone fractures or muscle or memory function. The team attributes this to the relatively good health of the participants, half of whom were "healthy agers," i.e., people over 70 without vitamin D deficiency or underlying diseases. In addition, it was permitted to take an additional 800 IU of vitamin D daily in addition to the study dose. The vital substances administered daily had a positive effect on reducing the risk of infection. According to the study, omega-3 fatty acids reduced the risk of infections by 11 percent, especially in the urinary tract and upper respiratory tract, while vitamin D reduced the infection risk in younger participants (70 to 74 years old) by 16 percent. Positive effects on blood pressure were also demonstrated. The DO-HEALTH team is working on further impacts.
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