When we were medical students, omega-3 fatty acids were talked about
among the senior citizens as better nutritional supplements to protect them from
the illnesses. Now, we are aware that the higher intake of these omega-3 fatty acids
has been associated with reduced risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer in
several observational studies. Similarly, in the last few years, vitamin D
levels were found to be very low in many people in our society. Some
association was also noted between the low levels of Vitamin D and CV disease and
cancer. This leads us to think that supplementation of these (omega-3 fatty acids
and vitamin D) may be more effective in reducing the CV disease and cancers. If
that is proved we may be finding new medication (fixed drug combinations)
A study was conducted and the results were published by J E Manson et al
(2019). In this study the benefits of using the combination (Vitamin D3 2000units/day + Omega -3 fatty acids 1gm per day) were
assessed. This is a randomized placebo-controlled trial. This study focuses a
primary prevention of CV disease and cancer among men older than 50 years and
women older than 55 years. Primary endpoints were major CV events (a composite
of myocardial infarction, stroke or death from cardiovascular causes) and
invasive cancer of any type. Secondary end points included
individual components of the composite cardiovascular end point, the composite
end point plus coronary revascularization (expanded composite of cardiovascular
events), site-specific cancers, and death from cancer. A total of 25,871 people participated in this trial, out of them 5106 were
blacks. All these patients were followed for 5.3 years.
At the end, it is disappointing
to note that supplementation of this
combination did not result in lower incidence of major cardiovascular events or
cancer than placebo.
