The German Nutrition Society published new estimated requirements for daily vitamin D intake

For all age groups beyond infancy , a daily intake of 20 µg is recommended in case of absent UV-B-exposure.

With respect to the prevention of vitamin D deficiency (25[OH]D < 30 nmol/l) this is a clear progress compared to the former recommendation of 5 µg per day.

Translation by Google from [www.dge.de]

Research results in recent years provided evidence for a role of vitamin D for the prevention of several chronic diseases. A working group of the German Society for Nutrition Association (DGE) has evaluated the scientific data on this. Current evidence clearly confirms that a good vitamin D intake may reduce the risk in older people for falls, fractures, loss of strength, mobility and balance loss, and premature death. Hypotheses such as a reduction in risk for cancer or diabetes mellitus with vitamin D could not be proved.

In Germany, there are approximately 60% of the population according to international criteria, insufficient vitamin D supply.

For them, the marker is for the supply in the blood, the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D), below the desired value of 50 nmol / l.

To achieve this concentration in the blood indicates the DGE as a new reference value for vitamin D intake, assuming a lack of endogenous formation of 20 micrograms vitamin D per day.

About the diet with the usual food take young people and adults 2-4 micrograms vitamin D per day.

The difference between the intake of food and the appraised value in the absence of endogenous formation must be covered by the vitamin D formation in skin and / or through the ingestion of a vitamin D preparation. For frequent outdoor exercise, especially during physical activity outdoors and uncovered skin with sufficient parts, the desired vitamin D supply without taking a vitamin D supplements can be achieved.

200 IU ==> 800 IU beyond infancy

A good step in the right direction - a long ways to go, especially for those with dark skins

See also VitaminDWiki

• How you might double the benefit of your vitamin D

• Low vitamin D levels even when taking 800 IU vitamin D – May 2011 Swiss

• Recommend 100 IU of vitamin D per kg of infant weight – July 2011 Poland

• 744 IU vitamin D needed by Northern white teens to prevent Rickets – Jan 2011 Well, Germany probably has Rickets covered with 800 IU

• |All items in category Europe and Vitamin D

• 800 IU vitamin D in milk did not improve bones of middle-aged adults – Jan 2011

• Germans, Austrians, and Swiss declare that 800 IU and 20 ng vitamin D is enough – June 2012

• Overview of Vitamin D Recommendations has the following chart