The intake recommendations (D-A-CH reference values) of the German Nutrition Society (DGE) presented below are aimed at healthy people of normal weight. They do not refer to the supply of sick and convalescent people. Individual requirements may therefore be higher than the intake recommendations of the DGE (e.g. due to diet, consumption of stimulants, long-term medication, etc.). In addition, you will find the safe daily maximum amount (Tolerable Upper Intake Level) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in the table on the right. This value reflects the safe maximum amount of a micronutrient (vital substance), which does not cause any side effects when taken daily, lifelong from all sources (food and supplements).
Estimated values for adequate intake in the absence of endogenous synthesis
| Age | Vitamin D(in the absence of endogenous synthesis). | |||
| µga/day | Tolerable Upper Intake Level of EFSAd(µg) | |||
| Infants | ||||
| 0 to under 6 months | 10b | 25 | ||
| 6 to under 12 months | 10b | 35 | ||
| Children | ||||
| 1 year to under 11 years | 20c | 50 | ||
| 11 to under 15 years | 20c | 100 | ||
| Adolescents and adults | ||||
| 15 to under 65 years | 20c | 100 | ||
| 65 years and older | 20c | 100 | ||
| Pregnant | 20c | 100 | ||
| Breastfeeding | 20c | 100 | ||
a1 µg = 40 International Units (IU); 1 IU = 0.025 µg.
bThe estimated value is obtained by administration of a vitamin D tablet for rickets prophylaxis from 1 week of life to the end of 1 year of age in breastfed and nonbreastfed infants. Administration is independent of endogenous vitamin D synthesis and vitamin D intake through breast milk or infant formula. Prophylaxis should be continued in the 2nd year of life during the winter months (German Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine).
cVitamin D intake through diet with the usual foods (1 to 2 μg per day in children, 2 to 4 μg per day in adolescents and adults) is not sufficient to ensure the desired supply (serum 25(OH)D concentration of at least 50 nmol/l) in the absence of endogenous synthesis. For this, 20 µg/day is required. This means that the supply must be ensured by endogenous synthesis and/or by taking a vitamin D supplement in addition to the supply via the diet. With frequent sun exposure, the desired vitamin D supply can be achieved without taking a vitamin D supplement.
dTolerable Upper Intake Level (safe total daily intake) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
In the course of the standardization of European regulations, valid Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) were issued in the European Union (EU) and made mandatory for nutrition labeling in 1990 in Directive 90/496/EEC. An update of this directive took place in 2008. In 2011, the RDA values were replaced by NRV values (Nutrient Reference Value) in Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011. The NRV values indicate the amount of vitamins, minerals and trace elements that an average person should consume daily to meet their needs.
| Vitamin | Name | NRV |
| Vitamin D | Calciferol | 5 µg |
Note: An NRV is not an indication of maximum amounts and upper limits – see above under “Tolerable Upper Intake Level” (UL). NRV values also do not take into account gender and age – see Recommendations of the German Nutrition Society (DGE) e. V. above.
