While supplementing with vitamin D may help limit bone breaks and other skeletal health risks, a recent report from the International Osteoporosis Foundation finds that many people are still not getting enough of the mineral each day.

Worldwide, the researchers found that the levels of vitamin intake either from sunlight, food sources or supplements were not at optimum levels to promote long-term health benefits.

They say that without it, the risk of bone fractures, as well as deterioration of normal organ function, is likely to increase because of the body’s need for vitamin D to process calcium in the diet.

There are several ways to increase one’s intake, including finding safer ways to get outside and take in the "sunshine" vitamin, as well as through dark green vegetables and health supplements that contain calcium and vitamin D.

The Mayo Clinic says that those who reach optimum levels of the mineral may also find that it helps improve other health outcomes: evidence reviewed by scientists there has linked vitamin D to the reduction in cardiovascular diseases and limiting some chronic pain syndromes.