A spate of new studies suggests vitamin D offers health benefits far beyond strengthening bones. Researchers report that "the sunshine vitamin" may cut cancer risks and help the immune system fight infections. Together these studies raise the possibility that a brief daily dose of sun combined with a vitamin D supplement could help stave off everything from breast cancer to the flu. Although our skin makes vitamin D when we spend time in the sun, an estimated 1 billion people worldwide are deficient in this essential ingredient, and most don’t know it because symptoms rarely surface. Research on how vitamin D works in the body, says deficiencies of this nutrient may underlie susceptibility to infection and illnesses. Here's a glimpse of related recent findings.
