J Bone Miner Res
Study evaluates effects of omega-3s, vitamin D, and exercise on bone health
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and a simple home-based exercise program had no benefit on bone mineral density (BMD) in healthy, active and largely vitamin D replete older adults.
The DO-HEALTH 3-year, multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial examined whether daily vitamin D supplementation (2,000 IU/day), daily omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (1 g/day), or a simple strength training program performed three times per week, either applied alone or in combination could improve BMD at the spine, hip or femoral neck.
- 1,493 healthy older adults from Switzerland, Germany, France and Portugal who were at least 70 years of age and who had not experienced any major health events in the five years before study start were included.
- DXA scans were available for 1,493 participants (mean age 75 years; 80.4% were physically active, 44% had 25(OH)D levels <20 ng/mL).
- Taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements showed no BMD benefit at the lumbar spine or femoral neck. Similarly, the simple strength exercise program showed no benefit.
- In contrast, participants receiving daily vitamin D supplements experienced a small benefit at the hip; among men, there was a benefit for lumbar spine BMD. However, it should be noted that the effect across three years was very small.
Source:
Kistler-Fischbacher M, et al. (2024, April 13). J Bone Miner Res. Effects of vitamin D3, omega-3 s and a simple strength training exercise program on bone health: the DO-HEALTH randomized controlled trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38613445/