Minister accepts new recommendations on Vitamin D intake

New recommendations regarding Vitamin D intake have been accepted by the Minister for Social Services and Public Health, Rebecca Evans.

Following an extensive review of the evidence the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) has recommended everyone in the population over one year of age should aim to achieve a recommended nutrient intake (RNI) of 10 micrograms for vitamin D per day, throughout the year.

This recommendation replaces previous guidelines which were limited to pregnant and breastfeeding women; those aged 65 years or over and those whose exposure to sun is limited.

The new advice also recommends babies from birth to one year, including those partially or exclusively breastfed, achieve a RNI of between 8.5 -10 micrograms for vitamin D.

The Chief Medical Officer for Wales said:

“Vitamin D plays an important role in keeping us healthy. It helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body needed to keep our bones, teeth and muscles healthy. The main source of vitamin D is from safe exposure to the sun but it can also be found in certain foods like oily fish and eggs”.

The Minister for Social Services and Public Health said

“We will now act on the findings of the report and will raise awareness and support people to achieve this intake as part of our wider approach to health and well being”.