Could Vitamin D be the New Super-Vitamin?

Time to stock up on vitamin D3 (obtained through proper sun exposure or through supplementation of at least 5,000 IU vitamins per day) as new research shows that the multitasking vitamin has a crucial role in aiding our immune systems.

As Tonic previously reported, more and more health benefits of the vitamin have recently come to light. Now, scientists at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that the so-called 'sunshine vitamin' (it's produced naturally as a by-product of the skin's exposure to the sun) known primarily for its role in calcium absorption and metabolism, is also integral to a healthy immune system. In fact, it could even be used to fight the spread of global disease.

The research findings are being hailed as a breakthrough and will be critical in the development of new vaccines reports Britain's Telegraph. The Danish-based researchers are thrilled with their discovery and the impact it could have on the future of medicine. "Scientists have known for a long time that vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and the vitamin has also been implicated in diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, but what we didn't realise [sic] is how crucial vitamin D is for actually activating the immune system — which we know now." Professor Carsten Geisler from the Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology said that the new research "could help to contain infectious diseases and global epidemics."

The findings are due to be published in the latest edition of Nature Immunology.

Photo by Ragesoss via Wikimedia Commons.