Revised vitamin D guidelines

A 2018 study by the Danish Cancer Society indicates that one in five Danes who do not take vitamin D supplements suffered from vitamin D deficiency by the end of the winter season.

These findings have prompted Danish food authorities to advise all adults and children aged four or older in the Danish Kingdom to take vitamin D supplements during the winter season.

It is also recommended that parents give babies vitamin D supplements throughout the year until the baby’s fourth birthday. The previous recommendation said until the baby’s second birthday.

The new recommendations are:

• Adults and children aged four or older should take 5-10 micrograms of vitamin D daily from October to April.

• Newborns and children aged 0-4 should take 10 micrograms daily throughout the year from two weeks after birth until their fourth birthday. From 18 months after birth, vitamin D drops can be replaced by a multivitamin pill.

• Pregnant women, children and adults with dark skin, and children and adults who do not get sufficient sunlight exposure during summer should take 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily year-round.

• People aged 70 or over, people in care homes or who receive home care regardless of their age, and people with an increased risk of osteoporosis should take 20 micrograms of vitamin D together with 800-1.000 milligrams of calcium daily throughout the year.

Vitamin D deficiency may weaken bones and muscles. Vitamin D plays an important role in the body’s ability to absorb calcium in the intestines.

Read the Faroese version of this article here

Translated by prosa.fo

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