To increase your level of vitamin D, include more oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel and tuna in your diet. Egg yolks and mushrooms also contain vitamin D and you can choose cereal and milk fortified with vitamin D.

Vitamin D is also sometimes called the "sunshine vitamin" because your skin absorbs it through the rays of the sun. In fact, in the summer 15 minutes of sun exposure (without sunblock) can give you about 20,000 IU of vitamin D. On the other hand, it is generally not recommended that you expose yourself to sun without sunblock for longer periods of time, due to the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.

It's a good idea to use vitamin D supplements. The Institute of Health has set the recommended dietary allowance to be 600 units a day, but this is generally accepted to be much too low. As well, with vitamin D there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution - how much you need depends on factors like how D deficient you are, which medical conditions you have, etc. It usually recommended that you should supplement by adding 1-2,000 IU of vitamin D per day, although people who are severely deficient or have certain medical conditions may take up to 5-10,000 IU per day. Vitamin D in liquid form, usually available in a health food store, has better absorption rates and are therefore recommended above vitamin D tablets.

The Many Benefits of Vitamin D

In the past several years, Vitamin D has been connected to benefits in a number of medical conditions. It has been known for a long time that it plays a crucial role in the absorption of calcium, which helps protect your bones from osteoporosis, but did you know Seasonal Affective Disorder is connected to vitamin D deficiency? As well, older adults who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to become depressed.

Vitamin D also plays a role in the management of chronic pain, particularly musculoskeletal pain in conditions like fibromyalgia, RA and diabetic neuropathy. It's quite common for people who live with chronic pain to have a vitamin D deficiency. Some doctors routinely test their patient's vitamin D levels and include vitamin D supplements as part of the treatment plan.

The knowledge that vitamin D can not just make you feel better, but may also help lower the risk of cancer and autoimmune disorders is amazing news. Perhaps the future will bring even more incredible findings about the importance of vitamin D.

Lene is the author of the award-winning blog The Seated View.