Various studies have shown role of Vitamin D in preventing heart disease, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Vitamin D is made by the action of sunshine on body hence it is also known as 'bottled sunshine'.

Recent study revealed that regular intake of supplements of vitamin D can reduce the frequency of breast cancer by a quarter and bowel cancer by a third.

Professor Cedric Garland and colleagues from the University of California reviewed 2,750 research studies involving vitamin D.

Research team concluded that if everyone took 2,000 IUs of vitamin D a day - the current maximum recommended in Canada - it would save an estimated 200,000 cases of breast cancer and 250,000 cases of bowel cancer worldwide.

Governments in various countries where people don't get adequate sunshine due to cold weather are reviewing the recommended amount of intake of vitamin D supplements.

The rising incidence of cancer and studies showing role of 'sunshine vitamin' shows the need to increase recommended intake of vitamin D. Various medical experts say that a healthy intake of vitamin D should be five to 10 times higher.