What’s the best way to make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D? Consistently getting a healthy amount of sunlight and eating more vitamin D-rich foods will do the trick, but most people will also benefit from taking a vitamin D supplement.
Not only is vitamin D crucial for strong, healthy bones, it’s also linked to a slew of other health benefits, including a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Recent research has also suggested a connection between vitamin D and a wide range of health benefits, from a reduction in acne to an improvement in cognitive performance.
But one of the biggest obstacles is knowing which vitamin D supplements are the best. There are countless options on the market — everything from pills and gummies to chewables and liquid drops — and many of them are packed with unnecessary fillers and binders.
Here are our top picks for the best vitamin D supplements.
Our Editor’s Best Vitamin D Supplements Reviews
- A Vital Nutrient: Vitamin D plays a crucial role in supporting healthy bones, teeth, muscle function, and a strong immune system. Many people may be deficient in this essential nutrient, making it even more important for overall health.
- Sunshine In a Bottle: The Vitamin D Council recommends daily vitamin D supplementation for most adults to achieve and maintain optimal levels, regardless of weather or season.* NatureWise Vitamin D3 is all natural, non-GMO, and gluten free with no artificial additives, fillers or binders.
- Pure & natural: These Vitamin D3 immune support and bone health supplements are gluten-free and non-GMO. Third party tested for purity and potency. Packaging may vary due to high demand, same great product and ingredients.
- Uncompromising Quality: All NatureWise supplements are Manufactured in USA-based facilities that comply to the strictest cGMP standards and undergo rigorous testing by third party labs to ensure the highest quality and purity.
- Directions: It's normal for softgels to stick together and clump during warm weather conditions. This does NOT affect the quality or efficacy of the product. To release the clumps, give your bottle a good shake or knock it against the counter.
- D3+K2 - BETTER TOGETHER: On their own, Vitamins D3 and K2 are essential micronutrients, but together, they're an essential team. Vitamin D3 helps your body absorb calcium, while vitamin K2 directs calcium to your bones instead of joints and arteries, where too much calcium could be problematic. Not that's teamwork!
- PLANT BASED: Our Vitamin D and K supplement for women and men contains vegan D3 (cholecalciferol) from lichen and K2 from fermented chickpeas with added Coconut MCT Oil for enhanced absorption. This two-in-one super supplement is 100% free of animal ingredients and encapsulated in the first carrageenan-free plantgel softgel.
- ONE-A-DAY FORMULA: Get the best of both worlds with Sports Research D3+K2. Just one easy-to-swallow veggie softgel provides 125cg (5000iu) of Vegan & 100mcg of Vitamin K2 (as MK7, the form of K2 with the highest bioavailability) for stronger bones and immune system support so you can shine your brightest.*
- QUALITY TESTED: We hold all of our supplements to a higher standard. Our K2 with D3 vitamin supplement is Vegan Certified, Non-GMO Project Verified, and free of unwanted fillers, carrageenan, gluten, and soy. Each batch is third-party tested for quality and manufactured in the USA in a cGMP-compliant facility.
- THE SPORT OF LIFE: Founded in Southern California in 1980, Sports Research is a family-owned business born from a passion for fitness and wellness. Our goal is to embrace the sport of life through research-backed products created for every body—inside and out.
- Strong bone support supplement: contains one 30 count bottle of Nature Made Vitamin D3 K2 Softgels for a 30-day supply
- Nature Made Vitamin D3 and K2 softgels provide 5000 IU (125 mcg) of Vitamin D for immune support and to support bone health, teeth health and muscle health
- Provides 100 mcg of Vitamin K2 to support healthy artery function; Adding K2 to D3 helps direct calcium to bones
- Adults, take one of these D3 and K2 softgels daily with water; Designed for those with higher Vitamin D needs and/or deficiency, as determined by a healthcare professional(1)
- Made in the USA with quality global ingredients, these gluten free Vitamin K2 D3 softgels contain no synthetic dyes and no artificial flavors
- Immune, muscle, teeth and bone health support supplement: contains one 300 count bottle of Nature Made Vitamin D3 1000 IU (25 mcg) Softgels for a 300-day supply
- Nature Made Vitamin D 1000 IU softgels support bone health, teeth health, muscle health, and provide immune support
- These Vitamin D 1000IU softgels help improve calcium absorption and contain 25mcg of Vitamin D 3, the body’s preferred form of Vitamin D
- Adults, take one Vitamin D3 softgel daily with water and a meal
- Sourced from high-quality ingredients, this Nature Made Vitamin D3 supplement has no color added and no artificial flavors
- Bone Health: Vitamin D3 supports calcium absorption and retention to support optimal bone health; this vitamin D supplement supports bone strength*
- Breast, Colon & Immune Support: Vitamin D3 supports colon and breast health by aiding blood vessel function, immune cell activity, and healthy cell metabolism*
- Immune Support Supplement: These D3 vitamins bind to receptors on immune cells, including lymphocytes and macrophages, supporting healthy immune function*
- Supports Heart Health: This D3 supplement supports cardiovascular health and brain health, as well as immune cell activation*
- Pure Difference: What we leave out matters, too; Pure Encapsulations products are free from common allergens, artificial or unnecessary ingredients, and GMOs
Best Vitamin D Supplements Buying Guide
Before choosing the best vitamin D supplement you should consider following options:
1. Vitamin D3 vs. Vitamin D2: The most common form of vitamin D is D3, also known as cholecalciferol. It is produced in the skin upon exposure to sunlight.
Vitamin D2 is a form of vitamin D that’s mostly produced from irradiated yeast or from fish or fungus extracts.
According to Dr. Michael F. Holick, a professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics at Boston University Medical Center and one of the world’s leading experts on vitamin D, there’s no real difference between vitamin D3 and D2.
“The distinction is artificial,” says Dr. Holick. “The only difference is that D2 is typically used in supplements in India, whereas D3 is used in supplements in the rest of the world.”
2. Calcidiol vs. Calcitriol: Vitamin D is ultimately converted into either calcidiol (also known as 25-hydroxyvitamin D) or calcitriol (1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D). Calcidiol is the inactive form of vitamin D, while calcitriol is the active form.
According to Dr. Holick, “the majority of doctors will measure and treat based on calcidiol levels, because most people will convert calcidiol to calcitriol.”
3. Vitamin D3 in High-Dose vs. Low-Dose: Vitamin D3 supplements are available in high- and low-dose forms. High-dose vitamin D3 supplements contain a higher amount of vitamin D3 and are generally used for treating vitamin D deficiency or for increasing bone health.
Low-dose vitamin D3 supplements contain a smaller amount of vitamin D3 and are generally used for supporting overall health.
4. Vitamin D3 in Capsule vs. Liquid: Vitamin D3 supplements are available in capsule and liquid forms. Capsule forms are most common, but some people may prefer liquid forms.
Liquid forms may be easier to swallow and absorb. Some people may also prefer liquid forms because they can add the liquid form to their smoothie or juice, says Dr. Holick.
5. Vitamin D3 in High-Potency vs. Low-Potency: Vitamin D3 supplements are available in different potencies. High-potency forms contain between 2000 and 5000 IU of vitamin D3 per capsule or teaspoon.
Low-potency forms contain between 400 and 1000 IU. “If you take a higher dose, you will get the appropriate amount of vitamin D3 faster,” says Dr. Holick.
But taking a high dose of vitamin D3 may cause a “fishy” odor in your sweat and urine, says Dr. Holick. “This is harmless and will go away as your body adjusts to the higher dose.”
What else you should know about vitamin d supplements
1. What are the benefits of taking vitamin D supplements?
There are many potential benefits of taking vitamin D supplements, including improved bone health, reduced inflammation, and a lower risk of developing certain types of cancer.
2. What are the risks of taking vitamin D supplements?
The risks of taking vitamin D supplements are that you may get too much vitamin D, which can lead to health problems.
3. What is the optimal dose of vitamin D to take?
There is no definitive answer to this question as the optimal dose of vitamin D may vary depending on individual factors such as age, health status, and sun exposure. However, many experts recommend a daily dose of 400-800 IU (10-20 micrograms) of vitamin D for adults.
4. Are there any interactions between vitamin D supplements and other medications?
There are no known drug interactions between vitamin D and other medications.
5. Are there any side effects of taking vitamin D supplements?
The most common side effect of taking too much vitamin D is a feeling of sickness (nausea). You may also experience a loss of appetite, constipation, and weight loss. In rare cases, too much vitamin D can lead to more serious problems like kidney stones and bone pain.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best vitamin d supplements. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best vitamin d supplements will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.