The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, is the latest to show the health benefits of vitamin D. Earlier research found it can guard against osteoporosis and may offer protection from breast and colon cancer, heart disease and dementia. This study analyzed health records of more than 13,000 Americans and found those with the lowest vitamin D blood levels had a 26% higher risk of death over eight years than those with the highest levels. Reinhold Vieth, a nutritional sciences professor at University of Toronto, said this is one more study "to show that higher vitamin D nutrition increases life expectancy."
People produce vitamin D when ultraviolet light from sunshine hits their naked skin. The nutrient, important for cell growth and boosting the immune system, is also found in some fish, fortified dairy products and nutritional supplements.