Supplements
The 10 Best Vitamin D Supplements
Which are the best vitamin D supplements?
Vitamin D, or the “sunshine vitamin” as it’s commonly known, is a prohormone and fat-soluble vitamin.
When exposed to sunlight, our bodies produce vitamin D naturally, and we also acquire it from foods like salmon and eggs.
However, unless you’re getting consistent sun exposure or eating lots of the foods mentioned above, then it can be very difficult to get enough vitamin D in your bloodstream, which is why taking a vitamin D supplement can be very beneficial.
In this article, we’ve reviewed all the vitamin D supplements on the market and rounded up the best money can buy.
Here’s a list of the 10 best vitamin D supplements:
Top 10 Vitamin D Supplements Compared
Our supplement lists are created by researching the best-reviewed products from the most reputable companies and web sources.
In A Rush? Here’s Our Top Pick:
10. Solgar – Vitamin D
Solgar’s Vitamin D softgels are formulated to maintain healthy bones, teeth, and immune function.
Each bottle contains 250 softgels/servings, each providing you with 400IU of Vitamin D3.
Other ingredients include safflower oil, gelatin, and vegetable glycerin.
The supplement is Non-GMO, dairy and gluten-free, and is produced following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) set by the FDA.
The brand suggests that taking Vitamin D can support neuromuscular function and can help promote optimal absorption and assimilation.
Solgar recommends adults take one softgel once or twice a day, ideally with a meal, for best results.
9. Designs For Health – Hi-Po Emulsi-D3
Designs For Health Vitamin D drops are designed to support foundational health and well-being.
Each bottle provides you with approximately 1,000 servings, all containing 2,000 IU of Vitamin D.
Other ingredients include vegetable glycerine, deionized water, medium-chain triglycerides, and Vitamin E.
The supplement is Non-GMO, free from gluten, dairy, and soy, and is manufactured in the USA in an FDA inspected, GMP compliant facility.
The brand uses natural emulsion technology to enhance the supplement’s bioavailability and formulates it to be completely free from preservatives and synthetic surfactants.
Designs For Health recommends taking one drop per day for best results.
8. Nordic Naturals – Zero Sugar Vitamin D3
Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 gummies are formulated for healthy bones, mood, and immune system function.
Each bottle contains 60 gummies/servings, all providing you with 1,000IU of Vitamin D3.
Other ingredients include soluble tapioca fiber, purified water, pectin, citric acid, sodium citrate dihydrate, fruit and vegetable juice, sunflower oil, and carnauba wax.
It’s also free from gluten, milk derivatives, and artificially derived colors and flavors.
The brand suggests that taking Vitamin D may help promote a positive mood and support overall health and well-being.
According to Nordic Naturals, the supplement is made in the USA and should be taken daily with food.
7. NOW Foods – Vitamin D-3
NOW Foods Vitamin D-3 is designed to help maintain bone health and immune system function.
Each bottle comes with 120 chewable tablets, all providing you with 5,000 IU of Vitamin D3.
Other ingredients include xylitol, cellulose, sorbitol, stearic acid, silica, ascorbyl palmitate, and natural flavors.
The brand suggests that Vitamin D is essential for achieving and maintaining bone mineral density and supporting optimal immune function.
The supplement is free from artificial sulfites, hydrogenated oils, hidden steroids, unlabeled allergens, nano-particle nutrients, artificial colors, and flavors.
NOW Foods recommends taking one chewable tablet every two days with a fat-containing meal for best results.
6. Nordic Naturals – Vitamin D3
The second Vitamin D3 supplement on the list from Nordic Naturals is their Vitamin D3 gummies.
Designed to support healthy bones and immunity, you’ll receive 120 gummies/servings per bottle, each providing you with 400 IU of Vitamin D3.
Other Ingredients include organic sugar, organic tapioca syrup, purified water, pectin, citric acid, sodium citrate, and fruit and vegetable juice.
It’s free from dairy, gluten, artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives.
The brand suggests that their gummies are a safe, tasty, and effective way to help provide your children with the Vitamin D3 they need.
Nordic Naturals suggests children take one gummy a day with food for best results.
5. Now Foods – Vitamin D-3
If you like NOW Foods supplements and are in the market for a high dose of Vitamin D, then this is the supplement for you.
Each bottle comes with 120 softgels/servings, all providing you with 10,000 IU of Vitamin D.
Other ingredients include bovine, gelatin, water, glycerin, and extra virgin olive oil.
The supplement is Non-GMO, gluten, soy, dairy-free, and manufactured, adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
The brand suggests that Vitamin D-3 helps to maintain strong bones and supports a healthy immune system.
NOW Foods recommends taking one softgel every three days with a fat-containing meal for best results.
4. BulkSupplements – Vitamin D
BulkSupplments Vitamin D softgels are formulated to support heart health and immune function.
Each pouch contains 100 softgels/servings, all providing you with 5000 IU of Vitamin D3.
Other ingredients include soy oil, bovine gelatin, glycerin, and purified water.
The brand suggests that taking Vitamin D can aid cognitive function, fortify bones, and support a healthy immune system.
The supplement is manufactured to cGMP standards, is lab-verified, and third-party tested to ensure potency and purity.
BulkSupplements recommends taking one softgel daily, preferably with a meal, for best results.
3. Thorne Research – Vitamin D/K2
Vitamin D/K2 by Thorne Research is formulated to support healthy bones and muscles.
Each bottle comes with 600 drops, or 300 servings, all providing you with 1,000 IU of Vitamin D and 200mcg of Vitamin K.
Other ingredients include medium-chain triglyceride oil and mixed tocopherols.
It’s free from dairy, gluten, soy, and artificial flavors and is manufactured using the purest ingredients.
The brand suggests that both the vitamins included in these supplements support healthy cardiovascular and immune function.
Thorne Research recommends taking two drops one to three times daily for best results.
2. Sports Research – Vitamin D
Sports Research Vitamin D with coconut oil is designed to support your immune system and bones.
Each bottle comes with 360 softgels/servings, all providing you with 5,000 IU of Vitamin D.
Other ingredients include coconut oil, gelatin, Non-GMO vegetable Glycerin, and purified water.
The supplement is formulated with coconut oil to help aid absorption, manufactured following cGMP guidelines, and third-party tested to ensure quality.
Sports Research recommends taking one liquid softgel daily for best results.
1. NatureWise – Vitamin D
NatureWise Vitamin D softgels are designed to promote healthy muscle and immune function.
Each bottle contains 360 softgels/servings, all providing you with 5,000 IU of Vitamin D3.
Other ingredients include organic extra virgin olive oil, halal gelatin, glycerin, and purified water.
The supplement is free from wheat, gluten, dairy, corn, soy, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, and shellfish.
It’s manufactured according to cGMP guidelines and third-party tested for purity and potency.
The brand suggests that taking their Vitamin D supplement will provide you with the same biologically active form of Vitamin D produced by the body due to sun exposure, without exposure to the sun’s rays.
NatureWise recommends adults take one softgel a day for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vitamin D Supplements
Q: What Is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D, or the “sunshine vitamin” as it’s commonly called, is a fat-soluble vitamin (prohormone) and nutrient produced in the human body and obtained through diet.
Despite being called a vitamin, vitamin D is a prohormone or a precursor of a hormone, which helps amplify the effect of existing hormones.
However, as the body produces vitamin D in your skin when exposed to sunlight, it’s generally referred to as a vitamin or nutrient.
Vitamin D is essential for optimal human health as it provides the body with several important functions.
Q: What Are The Benefits of Vitamin D?
Vitamin D has multiple benefits in the body that help keep us functioning properly as human beings.
It is essential for strong bones as it’s required for your body to properly absorb calcium, magnesium, and phosphate, which help strengthen bones and reduce the risk of bone degeneration or osteoporosis.
Vitamin D is also believed to help support immune, brain, and nervous system health, regulate insulin levels and support diabetes.
According to laboratory studies, Vitamin D has also been shown to reduce cancer cell growth, inflammation and help fight against infection.
Although the body can create enough vitamin D to sustain itself, deficiencies can occur for various reasons, which is why supplementing with vitamin D can be extremely beneficial as a preventative measure.
Q: Does Vitamin D Have Any Side Effects?
Vitamin D is generally considered safe to supplement with when taken in recommended amounts.
Most people do not commonly experience side effects with Vitamin D, and it is well-tolerated overall.
However, some people might experience mild side effects like fatigue, nausea, and headaches, but generally, this is caused by taking too much vitamin D.
Other side effects include loss of appetite, dry mouth, vomiting, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea.
Although not 100% certain, taking large amounts of vitamin D for long periods may cause high calcium levels in the blood.
Always check with your doctor or healthcare provider before adding any supplement to your diet.
Q: How Do I Take Vitamin D Supplements?
The current recommended daily intake of vitamin D for children and adults up to 70 is 600 IU.
However, if you’re deficient in Vitamin D, your doctor will likely prescribe a much higher dose for around 6-12 weeks to bring your levels back to normal.
As vitamin D is fat-soluble, it’s best taken with food but does not need to be taken at any specific time of the day.
To air on the side of caution, we suggest halving the recommended serving size until you’ve assessed your tolerance and slowly work your way up to a whole serving over time.
If you are taking any over-the-counter medications or prescribed antibiotics, you should check with your doctor to see if they may interfere with vitamin D or cause any side effects.
Q: Which Vitamin D Supplement Should I Choose?
When choosing a vitamin D supplement, you should opt for one that has a good reputation, contains high-quality ingredients, and is tested and verified to ensure overall quality.
All of the vitamin D supplements in this roundup are manufactured by reputable brands with a proven track record in the supplement industry.
Choose one that’s as natural as possible, clear of artificial ingredients and preservatives, and contains the correct amount per serving according to your requirements.
Generally, vitamin D capsules and softgels are the most common form of the supplement, but liquid drops and chewable gummies are also just as good, so choose whichever form you prefer.
Summary
Hopefully, you enjoyed our list of the best Vitamin D supplements.
If you’re interested in learning more about other beneficial supplements, check out our latest guides.
Here’s a quick recap of the 10 best Vitamin D supplements:
- NatureWise – Vitamin D
- Sports Research – Vitamin D
- Thorne Research – Vitamin D/K2
- BulkSupplements – Vitamin D
- Now Foods – Vitamin D-3
- Nordic Naturals – Vitamin D3
- Now Foods – Vitamin D-3
- Nordic Naturals – Zero Sugar Vitamin D3
- Designs For Health – Hi-Po Emulsi-D3
- Solgar – Vitamin D
