While previous research has indicated that an increasing percentage of the world’s population is suffering from vitamin D deficiencies, a new study has found that approximately half of individuals residing in first world countries do not get enough of the sunshine vitamin.

Lead author Anthony Norman, a professor of biochemistry and biomedical sciences at the University of California and a renowned expert on vitamin D, said the findings suggest that most adults cannot attain sufficient levels simply by consuming nutrient-rich foods.

In his research paper published in the July 2010 issue of Endocrine Today, Norman notes that the majority of scientists believe that the currently recommended daily intake of vitamin D (between 200 IU and 600 IU) is not near high enough.

“There is a wide consensus among scientists that the relative daily intake of vitamin D should be increased to 2,000 to 4,000 IU for most adults,” said Norman.

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