The American Academy of Pediatrics today sets a new recommendation of vitamin D for children, from newborns to teens.

It says they should get 400 units .. That's now double the previous amount.

This comes on the heals of doctors advising more Vitamin D for adults.

Studies suggest that vitamin D may play a much broader role in disease prevention.

But a local family physician says... people shouldn't just go to the store and pick a Vitamin D off the shelf.

Dr. Nova Law, a family physician at Brookwood Medical Center has become somewhat of a Vitamin D advocate since learning of its impact on her patients.

Dr. Law says, "The government recommends 200-600 units of vitamin D 95% of my patients were deficient in vitamin D they they should be taking a much higher dose".

She says, since starting vitamin D many of her patients complain less about colds, muscle aches, fatigue and even depression.

Research shows Vitamin D not only helps you feel better, but it helps prolong life.

Law says, "Vitamin deficiency shortens your life span and increases the risk of heart attack, strokes, colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer in men".

But Dr. Law cautions people against taking too much Vitamin D.

She says excess amounts can cause a dangerous buildup of calcium in the liver and kidney.

Signs of too much Vitamin D include nausea, muscle aches, joint pain, diarrhea and constipation.

Dr. Law emphasizes, "Go to primary care physician, let them do a blood level check Vitamin D. 25 hydroxy to be exact. Once they tell you your level he or she will advise you how much vitamin D you should take".

Dr. Law says, "Vitamin D 3 is what they should be taking. It's closer to the active metabolite of vitamin D after the doctor tells you which dosage".

Dr. Law says, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding women need vitamin D supplementation.

People more susceptible to a vitamin D deficiency include... People who carry excess weight, smokers, females, diabetics, people with darker skin tones and the