Michael Jackson's death highlighted Lupus, a condition that has now been linked to a deficiency of Vitamin D, which gives a better defense against the condition.

According to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, any one who has lupus or is genetically predisposed to the condition e. g. family members have lupus, can benefit from taking vitamin D supplements.

Apparently, 'low levels of vitamin D correlated with increased auto-antibodies i. e. proteins that attack the body's own tissue.'

As well, the Office of Dietary Supplements in the National Institutes of Health informs that a vitamin D deficiency also causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, leading to weak bones and muscles.

In addition, low vitamin D levels also lead to 'heart disease, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, hypertension, arthritis, depression, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, PMS, Crohns Disease, cancer, MS and other autoimmune diseases,' according to an article on www. fightingfatigue. org.

As more scientists study the impact of vitamin D deficiency evidence is emerging that this type of malnutrition may increase one's risk of developing a variety of chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, cancer, type I diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, including some mental disorders like depression and seasonal affective disorder.

Problems caused by vitamin D deficiency, such as, depression can be improved by taking vitamin D supplements, and with the help of proper nutrients and treatment. Private MD News suggests in two of its articles that vitamin D deficiency can also cause Alzheimer's disease or dementia linked to multiple sclerosis.

It is recommended that infants, children and adults age 50 and under take about 200 IU of vitamin D per day, while older adults need twice this amount. However, 10 - 15 minutes of exposure to sunshine, the best natural source of vitamin D should insure healthy vitamin D levels.

Dietary sources of vitamin D include fortified milk and dairy products, egg yolks and fatty fish like salmon and cod. However, a word of caution, vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and over-dosing on supplements can result in dangerous side effects.