Vitamin D

It's important that people get enough vitamin D. Vitamin D has a number of important functions and is needed to support bone and muscle health. We're encouraging everyone in Scotland to consider taking a supplement between October and March. 

Our main source of vitamin D is sunlight. In Scotland, we only get enough of the right kind of sunlight for our bodies to make vitamin D between April and September, mostly between 11 am and 3 pm. From October to March, we need to rely on dietary sources of vitamin D. Since vitamin D is found only in a small number of foods, it might be difficult to get enough from foods that naturally contain vitamin D and/or fortified foods alone.

Good food sources are oily fish and eggs. Other food sources include fortified foods such as breakfast cereals and spreads. 

Vitamin D supplements: what is our advice?

Everyone (including children) should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms/µg of vitamin D (400 IU), particularly during the winter months (October – March). It is specifically recommended that groups at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency take a daily supplement all year round. These groups include:

• all pregnant and breastfeeding women
• infants and children under 5 years old
• people who have low or no exposure to the sun, for example those who cover their skin for cultural reasons, are housebound, confined indoors for long periods or live in an institution
• people from minority ethnic groups with dark skin such as those of African, African-Caribbean and south Asian origin, who require more sun exposure to make as much vitamin D

The current guidance on sun exposure should be followed: 10–15 minutes of unprotected Scottish sun exposure is safe for all. Once sunscreen is correctly applied, vitamin D synthesis is blocked. Staying in the sun for prolonged periods without the protection of sunscreen increases the risk of skin cancer.

Additional guidance for babies, young children and pregnant women

Babies and young children

• breastfed babies from birth to 1 year of age should be given a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms/µg of vitamin D (340 – 400 IU) to make sure they get enough
• formula-fed babies shouldn't be given a vitamin D supplement until they're having less than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day, as infant formula is fortified with vitamin D
• children aged 1 to 4 years old should be given a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms/µg of vitamin D (400 IU)

You can buy vitamin D supplements or vitamin drops containing vitamin D (for under 5s) at most pharmacies and supermarkets. Please don’t buy more than you need.

The Scottish Government provide free vitamin D to all infants and children up to 3 years old.

See: Advice and support for parents to follow the recommendation for infants from birth to 6 months.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women

Healthy Start vitamins, which contain Vitamin D, are available free to all pregnant women in Scotland. 

Free vitamin D supplements are also available for mothers who breastfeed, in addition to infants and children up to 3 years old.

Ask your midwife or health visitor for further information.

Availability of vitamin D supplements

Breastfeeding women and children up to 3 years old in Scotland can get free Vitamin D supplements containing the recommended daily amount.  Please contact your midwife, family nurse or health visitor for more information.

Vitamin D supplements can be purchased from most supermarkets, pharmacies or online. Please don’t buy more than you need.

If you are not sure whether you are at risk or not, or do not know which supplements to take, ask your clinician, pharmacist, midwife or health visitor for further information.

Amounts of vitamin D: micrograms (µg) and international units

Vitamin D supplements may state the amount in micrograms (µg) or international units. 1 microgram/µg of vitamin D is the same as 40 international units. 10 micrograms/µg equates to 400 international units.

Too much vitamin D may be harmful

Taking too many vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause excess calcium to build up in the body, and this can weaken bones and damage the kidneys and the heart.

For most people, 10 micrograms/µg per day (400 IU) is enough and is safe.

• adults and children over 11 should avoid daily high dose vitamin d supplements containing more than 100 micrograms/µg (4000 IU)
• children aged 1-10 should avoid supplements with more than 50 micrograms/µg (2000 IU)
• infants under 12 months should have no more than 25 micrograms a day/µg (1000 IU)

Some people have certain medical conditions which mean they may not be able to safely take as much. You should seek advice from your clinician if you have any doubts.

If your clinician has advised you to take a different amount of vitamin D, you should follow their advice.

Additional resources

A general information leaflet Vitamin D and You sets out the current advice on vitamin D. This leaflet is available in English, Arabic, Polish, Traditional Chinese and Urdu and may be requested in alternative format such as large print, braille and audio versions.