How much vitamin D do you need to take in Denmark?

Vitamin D is a vital nutrient for overall health and well-being, and most people are aware that it can be absorbed via sunlight. 

Sunlight isn’t in abundance in Denmark during the autumn and winter. In December, there’s only a few hours a day, typically when most people are at work. 

This makes it much harder to get enough vitamin D. A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to several health problems in the long run. Muscle weakness and cramps, fatigue and depression are among the symptoms of not getting enough vitamin D.

The Danish Health Authority recommends children over 4 years and adults take a daily supplement of 5-10 micrograms of vitamin D during the winter months of October to April. 

Children under four years are recommended to take 10 micrograms of vitamin D year-round. These are usually given as drops (known as D-dråber or “D-drops”) and can be bought in pharmacies and some supermarkets. Health professionals like midwives, doctors and nurses will often recommend these or ask if the child takes them at routine appointments.

Danish authorities also recommend vitamin D supplements year-round in some cases.

Along with the Danish Health Authority, the Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen) recommends the following preventive vitamin D supplementation.

In addition to the “D-drops” given to children aged 0-4 years, 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily year-round is recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, children and adults with dark skin, children and adults who wear covering clothing in summer and people who do not go outdoors daily or who avoid sunlight.

A higher dose of 20 micrograms of vitamin D daily, along with 800-1000 mg of calcium is recommended year-round for people over 70 years, residents of care homes and people at increased risk of osteoporosis regardless of age.

Keep in mind the following upper safe limits for daily intake which have been set by the EU’s Scientific Committee on Food. These are 25 micrograms for infants from 0-6 months, 50 micrograms for children aged 6 months-10 years and 100 micrograms for children from 11 years and adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women.