VITAL Signs for Dietary Supplementation to Prevent Cancer and Heart Disease

This editorial evaluates the findings of the VITAL trial, a large scale randomized study testing vitamin D₃ (2000 IU/day) and marine omega3 fatty acids (1 g/day) for primary prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The trial, involving 25,871 participants over 5.3 years, found no significant reduction in invasive cancer or major CVD events with either supplement. Despite observational data suggesting benefits, the results align with prior trials showing limited efficacy of omega3s in high risk populations and inconsistent evidence for vitamin D in cancer prevention. Secondary analyses noted potential reductions in myocardial infarction (omega3s) and cancer mortality (vitamin D), but these lacked statistical rigor due to multiple comparisons. The authors caution against overinterpreting these signals, emphasizing that dietary supplementation lacks robust evidence for broad preventive use.

This editorial evaluates the findings of the VITAL trial, a large scale randomized study testing vitamin D₃ (2000 IU/day) and marine omega3 fatty acids (1 g/day) for primary prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The trial, involving 25,871 participants over 5.3 years, found no significant reduction in invasive cancer or major CVD events with either supplement. Despite observational data suggesting benefits, the results align with prior trials showing limited efficacy of omega3s in high risk populations and inconsistent evidence for vitamin D in cancer prevention. Secondary analyses noted potential reductions in myocardial infarction (omega3s) and cancer mortality (vitamin D), but these lacked statistical rigor due to multiple comparisons. The authors caution against overinterpreting these signals, emphasizing that dietary supplementation lacks robust evidence for broad preventive use.