The team is now conducting clinical trials to see if giving the sunshine vitamin to patients could ease their symptoms.

BBC: Sunshine vitamin 'may treat asthma'

Low levels of the "sunshine vitamin" -- so nicknamed because we get most of our vitamin D from sunlight -- may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a report published Monday in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

CNN: Vitamin D may be essential for heart health

The Morton brothers grew up helping their dad, a manager for Nature's Sunshine, pack vitamin orders in Shelburne, Ont.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The main source of vitamin D is sunshine and women living in northern latitudes such as Scotland often do not get enough to ensure healthy growth of the foetus.

BBC: Vitamin D and weaning advice for new Scottish mothers

The report said due to a lack of sunshine in Scotland, there was concern over the vitamin D status of the population in general.

BBC: Pregnant women 'ignoring vitamin D advice'