According to a new research, daily intake of Vitamin D might help to endure long, austere winters when you have to stay indoors.

Sue Penckofer, Professor, Loyola University Chicago, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing (MNSON), said, "Vitamin D deficiency continues to be a problem despite the nutrients widely reported health benefits".

It is essential to combine adequate dose of vitamin D, exposure to sunlight, and vitamin D2 or D3 supplements, to ward off vitamin D deficiency, which might lead to risk of certain health problems.

Fortified foods such as margarine, breakfast cereals and powdered milk are found to be rich in Vitamin D.

Depression and increased insulin resistance are correlated, so people who are more prone to being depressed have greater chances of developing diabetes, and vice-versa.

Penckofer said that data proves that vitamin D supplements can help to lower insulin resistance.

"Vitamin D has widespread benefits for our health and certain chronic diseases in particular," Penckofer said.