Following up on the VITAL program for vitamin D and omega-3s
The VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL): Post-Intervention Follow-Up
This project is continuing to observe the long-term health of over 25,000 adults who previously took vitamin D and omega-3 supplements to see how these might affect their risk of cancer and heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126623 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The original VITAL program gave vitamin D and omega-3s to men over 50 and women over 55 to see if these supplements could prevent cancer and heart disease. While the initial results showed some promising signs, especially for certain groups like African Americans, researchers want to look at health outcomes for a longer time. This extended follow-up will help us understand the long-term effects of these supplements, as some benefits might take many years to appear. We hope to learn more about how vitamin D and omega-3s might protect against serious health conditions over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This follow-up is for the original 25,871 participants of the VITAL program, including men aged 50 and older and women aged 55 and older, with a significant representation of African Americans.
Not a fit: Individuals who were not part of the original VITAL program would not directly benefit from this specific follow-up, as it focuses on existing participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This extended follow-up could provide clearer insights into the long-term effects of vitamin D and omega-3 supplements on preventing cancer and heart disease, potentially guiding future health recommendations.
How similar studies have performed: The initial VITAL program showed promising signals for reduced cancer mortality and significant reductions in heart attack and other coronary events in specific subgroups, suggesting potential benefits for this approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manson, Joann Elisabeth — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Manson, Joann Elisabeth
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.