Study: Little Benefit for Vitamin D, Omega-3, Exercise in Seniors

A JAMA study found vitamin D, omega-3 supplements, and regular exercise appear to yield little benefit for older adults, reports United Press International . Still, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids may help lower the risk for infections in some seniors. Research has shown that older adults who take 20 micrograms of vitamin D daily cut infections by 5 percent, although they had a 3 percent higher risk for suffering a fracture than those not taking the supplement. Meanwhile, those who take 1 gram daily of an omega-3 fatty acid supplement were 11 percent less likely to develop an infection, but were 18 percent more likely to suffer a fracture. Furthermore, seniors in a strength-training exercise program with three 30-minute sessions weekly were at a 4 percent higher risk for infection and a 6 percent higher risk for fractures. The interventions' effects on participants' blood pressure and cognitive function performance were negligible.