Tier 1 — highest

Effect of vitamin D, omega-3 supplementation, or a home exercise program on muscle mass and sarcopenia: DO-HEALTH trial

Anna K Eggimann, Caroline de Godoi Rezende Costa Molino, Gregor Freystaetter, Bruno Vellas, John A Kanis, René Rizzoli, Reto W Kressig, Gabriele Armbrecht, José A P Da Silva, Bess Dawson-Hughes, Wei Lang, Michael Gagesch, Andreas Egli, Heike A Bischoff-Ferrari
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2025 73(4):1049-1059

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 39565152
PubMed Central
PMC11970227
DOI
10.1111/jgs.19266
Trial registry
View on ClinicalTrials.gov Registered trial — results not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Funding
Support is recorded from European Commission Seventh Framework Programme, Seventh framework program of the European Commission, NESTEC, Pfizer, Universität Zürich, DNP, Roche, Streuli. See the original publication for grant and material-support details.
Competing interests
The authors report no relevant competing interests.

Study snapshot

DesignSecondary outcome analysis of the randomized DO-HEALTH trial
ModelHuman participants
Sample1,495 with DXA muscle measurements; 1,940 eligible for incident sarcopenia analysis
InterventionD3 2,000 IU/day, omega-3 1 g/day and/or home exercise
Duration3 years
EndpointsAppendicular lean mass index; Incident sarcopenia

What the study showed, in plain terms

This publication examines appendicular lean mass index, incident sarcopenia. Study population or evidence base: 1,495 with DXA muscle measurements; 1,940 eligible for incident sarcopenia analysis. Intervention or exposure: D3 2,000 IU/day, omega-3 1 g/day and/or home exercise.

Key findings

Neither vitamin D nor the tested combinations improved three-year lean-mass change or significantly reduced incident sarcopenia in this active older population.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Secondary analyses with relatively few incident sarcopenia cases. Results may differ in deficient, frail or less active groups.

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