Finally! A research article proving what I have been seeing clinically for decades! Patients who have adequate vitamin D3 levels and take fish oil supplements reduce their risk of developing autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases are the third most common category of diseases in the world. There are more than 80 known autoimmune diseases, including conditions such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, and type 1 diabetes. A normally functioning immune system helps prevent illness from infection and disease, but in a person with autoimmune disease, the immune system is too active and mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells and tissues.

The article published in the British Medical Journal showed that 25,000 adults who took vitamin D or vitamin D and marine omega-3 fatty acids had a significantly lower rate of developing autoimmune disease compared to placebo. The researchers followed the patients who were put on four different regimens for nearly five and a half years. The first group took placebo, the second group took 1000mg of marine omega-3 and 2000IU of vitamin D3 per day, the third group took only 2000IU of vitamin D3, and the fourth group took 1000mg marine omega-3 fatty acid alone.

The results were as follows: patients who received the 2000IU of vitamin D3 alone had a 22 percent reduction in developing autoimmune disease vs. placebo, the patients who received 1000mg of marine omega-3 alone showed a 15 percent reduction in developing autoimmune disease vs placebo, and most significantly, the group that received 2000 IU of vitamin D3 and 1000mg of marine omega-3 showed a 30 percent reduction in developing autoimmune disease vs. placebo.

Be aware before you go out and start taking a bunch of vitamin D3 supplements. Vitamin D3 is a fat soluble meaning that it will accumulate in the body and can become toxic. Therefore, it is important to have your doctor look at your vitamin D3 levels before supplementing to know if taking the 2000IU supplement will be too much or not enough for you.

Also, realize that marine omega-3 supplements can vary in quality. Your provider may have suggestions on what to look for in labeling, or you can research different brands at independent websites such as consumerlabs.com which reviews and rates supplements.

REFERENCE

https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj-2021-066452

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Since 2005, Dr. Fey has helped women, men, and children find real solutions to their health concerns. She truly believes that giving the proper care and nutrients your body has an amazing ability to heal. She is committed to finding the root cause of illness by utilizing a whole body approach not just focusing solely on presenting symptoms. With her scientific background, Dr. Fey uses science based natural approaches to treating disease.

Dr. Amanda Fey is the owner and practicing Naturopathic Doctor at Complementary Medicine & Healing Arts, the Southern Tiers Center for Natural Healthcare located in the Binghamton NY area. The office website is www.naturallywell.us. Dr. Fey is currently offering telemedicine for patients all across the US. To contact the office, call 607-729-0591 or email cmhahealth@gmail.com.  

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