A new study has found that taking daily vitamin D and fish oil supplements may help protect older adults from developing autoimmune disorders such as lupus.

People age 50 and older taking 2,000 IU (International Units) of vitamin D3 for over five years had a 22% lower relative rate of confirmed autoimmune diagnoses, said study author Dr. Karen Costenbader, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in the division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity and the director of the lupus program at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

That dosage is two to three times the recommended daily dose of vitamin D for adults, which is 600 IU for people up to 69 years old and 800 IU for those age 70 and up. Once people had been taking vitamin D for at least two years, the prevention rate from autoimmune disorders rose to 39%, according to the study.

The study also found a possible link between taking 1,000 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acid (fish oil) and a reduction in autoimmune disorders, but the association was not statistically significant until possible cases of autoimmune disease -- not just confirmed cases -- were factored into the analysis.

However, the study did find that taking both vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplements, versus the placebo alone, decreased autoimmune disease by about 30%.

More research is needed to better understand the effects of dietary supplements on autoimmune disease, such as lupus.

Warning. Before considering taking any supplement you should consult your doctor as some can interact with medications and can be dangerous.

To read the full study please click here.