Logo

VITAMIN D is thought to protect bones and prevent cancer but the shorter, darker days reduce our natural exposure to it. TIM BRADY investigates
The discovery of "miracle" drugs usually takes place deep inside a laboratory. Yet could the latest cure for all ills be something we encounter every day? Mounting evidence suggests vitamin D - produced by the body when exposed to sunlight - could hold the secret.

Several research studies point to the protective effects of vitamin D against everything from heart disease and cancer to multiple sclerosis and diabetes. Two studies published last week claim low levels of vitamin D are linked to kidney disease and stroke. Yet there are rising concerns that many people in Britain may be severely deficient in vitamin D.

Some experts believe thousands of us may need daily vitamin D supplements to bolster our levels and protect against future illness.

When sunlight makes contact with the body, it triggers a chemical reaction under the skin that leads to the production of the vitamin. It gets into the blood and circulates round the body, where it gets stored for use at a later date.