Physicians long have known the importance of this vitamin in building strong bones. However, research is emerging that suggests vitamin D plays a much broader role in maintaining optimal health. Vitamin D may help in preventing and treating a growing number of health problems -- including diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression, chronic pain, migraines, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and certain types of cancers.
At the same time, more people are at risk of being deficient in this essential nutrient than had previously been thought.