In the context of optimization long-term health, the research activities on the secosteroid vitamin D have become an important field of discourse. The discussion has focused on whether and, if so, to what extent, vitamin D might contribute to the prevention of various disorders, e.g. infections, autoimmune diseases, several types of cancer and diabetes mellitus type 2. Accordingly, in the recent past many voices were raised asking for a significant elevation of the recommended vitamin D intake. In November 2010 the decisive US Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) revised the dietary reference intake for vitamin D. The updated recommendations were awaited eagerly and have now been published. This article discusses the new recommendation and comments on aspects which have to be considered critically.