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Winter months are commonly know for bringing exposure to colds and flu, but research is indicating that lack of exposure to sunlight may be a far greater threat to our overall health.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently increased its recommended Vitamin D requirement for children (birth to 13 years old) from 200 IU (international units) per day to 400 IU per day. The current adult recommendation is at 400 IU but is under examination by researchers as well, with an increase in the recommended intake anticipated by medical professionals. But some doctors and dietitians say that these recommended guidelines are very modest and much greater amounts may be needed to actually meet the body's needs.

"There was not a whole lot of science to the original guidelines set up by the governmentthey were basically there to prevent major Vitamin D deficiency issues like rickets (a softening of the bones)," says Dr. Daniel Nadeau, of Core Physicians Diabetes, Endocrine and Nutrition Center in Hampton, New Hampshire. "The scientific data we are seeing now is amazing. I would not be surprised if we see additional increases in the recommendations with regard to Vitamin D intake as I personally do not think we have gotten to the optimum levels."

Dr. Nadeau said he thinks the recommendation for children should be even more at 800 to 1000 IU per day and that current research is showing 4,000 to 5,000 IU per day for adults gets the levels in their body to an optimum for disease prevention and even pain relief.

"There are studies that show that even just increasing adult intake to 1100 IU per day showed a 77 percent decrease in incidents of cancer, lower levels of cardio vascular issues, hypertension, stroke," he said. "Research shows that an increased Vitamin D intake in children of 2000 IU produced a significant drop in the development of diabetes. The research is still ongoing but it is all very exciting."

Vitamin D is produced naturally in the skin from ultraviolet light, but with concerns about exposure to direct sunlight due to skin cancer and the decrease in sun exposure in long winter months in areas like the Northeast, people are producing less Vitamin D on their own according to Nutritionist Jacquie Higgins, a registered dietician with Portsmouth Regional Hospital in Portsmouth New Hampshire.

"I am seeing an epidemic of Vitamin D deficiencies in my patients and it is not surprising. We live in an area that for six months out of the year our bodies are not able to make

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