For women, running low on vitamin D can lead to inflammation, which in turn can negatively affect the immune system. A University of Missouri study is the first to report a correlation between increased concentrations of an inflammatory marker called serum TNF-a and vitamin D deficiency in healthy women. This investigation may shed some light on the role vitamin D plays in preventing certain diseases associated with inflammation, including cardiovascular disease. Normally, increased inflammatory markers are seen in obese individuals or those with chronic diseases. Researcher Catherine Peterson, an assistant professor at the University of Missouri, said her study results support the need to re-examine the biological basis for the dietary reference intake (DRI) for vitamin D. The current guidelines are now being evaluated and may be revised to reflect new findings that relate vitamin D levels to the incidence of various diseases including some types of cancer and such auto-immune diseases as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Peterson plans to investigate the effectiveness of vitamin D in reducing disease symptoms and in reducing blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Vitamin D can also help prevent colds and heighten mental clarity.