Radiologist Dr. Dan Dovgan who serves on the active medical staff at Blount Memorial Hospital says the importance of vitamin D to the health of bones in children is something that's been known for more than 50 years.
However, its effects also are a relatively new discovery.
"Out of the research occurring for osteoporosis in adults over the past two decades, doctors have discovered that vitamin D not only helps to regulate the health of our skeleton, but also our daily cellular activities as well as our mental health.
For women, the research is proving positive.
"Adequate amounts of vitamin D - an oral intake of more than 1,000 IU per day - has recently been shown to decrease the risk of breast cancer," Dovgan
"Recent studies in the past two years have shown a 25 percent decreased risk in breast cancer for women with vitamin D levels above 50ng/ml.
explains that how the vitamin D helps decrease the risk still is being determined, but it appears to be tied to cell regulation and cell-to-cell communication.
The current recommended daily allowance for vitamin D is 400 IU.
"We know now that's not enough.
Researchers say at least 1,000 IU of oral vitamin D is needed daily.
Some might wonder whether sunlight could provide this, but Dovgan
explains there's no concrete answer.
"Direct exposure to sunlight produces vitamin D3 in our bodies, and about 30 minutes of direct sun exposure will produce more than 1,000 IU of vitamin D3," he
says, noting that excessive sun exposure is thought to put women at risk for skin cancer and skin injury from the sun.
"Some sun exposure is healthy for most people, however, too much is thought to be a risk factor."
Because of this, Dovgan
says most researchers are advocating oral intake through a healthy diet and supplements.
says, is found naturally in fish, beef liver and egg yolks.
"It's also found in fortified milk, yogurt, breakfast cereals, supplements and vitamin preparations."
How do you know if you've got adequate levels of vitamin D? The only way to know, Dovgan
says, is to have your blood tested.
Currently, routine physicals don't usually test for vitamin D levels, so patients need to specifically ask their physicians to test for vitamin D levels.
Most women, Dovgan
says, have too low of levels, and too high of levels rarely is seen unless people are taking more than 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day.
It's good to talk to your doctor before taking supplements, Dovgan
benefits extend, too, and "vitamin D is something everyone probably needs to get more of.
says, "Newest research indicates that vitamin D plays a role in helping us maintain a positive mood, our immune health and may even help us ward off autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and diabetes, as well as high blood pressure, chronic pain and autism."