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
- IMMUNE, MOOD, BONE & MUSCLE SUPPORT*: Vitamin D supports healthy bones, muscle function, and a strong immune system.*
- NATURALLY-SOURCED, NON-GMO: These Vitamin D3 immune support and bone health supplements* are formulated with a naturally-sourced vitamin D3 ingredient, and are gluten-free and non-GMO. Packaging may vary due to high demand, same great product and ingredients.
- IN ORGANIC COLD-PRESSED OLIVE OIL: NatureWise Vitamin D3 is formulated with organic, cold-pressed olive oil that doesn't use heat or hexanes, to enhance the absorption of vitamin D3.*
- CONTENTS CERTIFIED NSF: This supplement is NSF-contents certified, which means its contents are thoroughly tested for accuracy and purity. Ingredients are also analyzed for this certification to confirm they match label contents.
- USA MANUFACTURED, 3RD PARTY TESTED: All NatureWise supplements are proudly manufactured the USA in facilities that comply to the strictest cGMP standards and undergo rigorous testing by third party labs to ensure the highest quality and purity.
- Immune, muscle, teeth and bone health support supplement: contains one 180 count bottle of Nature Made Extra Strength Vitamin D3 5000 IU (125 mcg) Softgels for a 180-day supply
- Nature Made Vitamin D 5000 IU softgels help improve calcium absorption, support bone health, teeth health, muscle health, and provide immune support
- This high dose Vitamin D 3 product is for those with higher Vitamin D needs and/or deficiency, as determined by a healthcare professional (1)
- Adults, take one Vitamin D3 Nature Made softgel daily with water and a meal
- Sourced from high-quality ingredients, this Nature Made Vit D3 supplement is gluten free and has no color added and no artificial flavors
- Immune, muscle, teeth and bone health support supplement: contains one 180 count bottle of Nature Made Vitamin D3 1000 IU (25 mcg) Softgels for a 180-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
- 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
- Micro Ingredients offers double-strength vitamin D3 + K2 softgels. An efficiently absorbed 2-in-1 formula featuring D3 as cholecalciferol and K2 in its top-grade menaquinone-7 (MK-7) form.
- Each pouch includes 300 mini softgels infused with coconut oil, delivering a potent one a day complex with 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 and 200 mcg of vitamin K2 per serving to provide natural sunshine vitamin synergy.
- Fat soluble vitamins like D and K are absorbed more effectively when a fat source is present. The addition of MCT coconut oil provides a clean, natural carrier for optimal nutrient delivery.
- Vitamin D3 and K2 are essential micronutrients for adults, offered in high quality, stable forms that pair together for closely related and comprehensive benefits.
- Premium non-GMO vitamin D3 + K2 supplements. Made without soy, dairy, and gluten. Ingredients must pass a 3rd party lab test to ensure our product is safe, pure, and potent.
- IMMUNE, MOOD, BONE & MUSCLE SUPPORT*: Vitamin D supports healthy bones, muscle function, and a strong immune system.*
- NATURALLY-SOURCED, NON-GMO: These Vitamin D3 immune support and bone health supplements* are formulated with a naturally-sourced vitamin D3 ingredient, and are gluten-free and non-GMO. Packaging may vary due to high demand, same great product and ingredients.
- IN ORGANIC COLD-PRESSED OLIVE OIL: NatureWise Vitamin D3 is formulated with organic, cold-pressed olive oil that doesn't use heat or hexanes, to enhance the absorption of vitamin D3.*
- CONTENTS CERTIFIED NSF: This supplement is NSF-contents certified, which means its contents are thoroughly tested for accuracy and purity. Ingredients are also analyzed for this certification to confirm they match label contents.
- USA MANUFACTURED, 3RD PARTY TESTED: All NatureWise supplements are proudly manufactured the USA in facilities that comply to the strictest cGMP standards and undergo rigorous testing by third party labs to ensure the highest quality and purity.
- IMMUNE, MOOD, BONE & MUSCLE SUPPORT*: Vitamin D supports healthy bones, muscle function, and a strong immune system.*
- NATURALLY-SOURCED, NON-GMO: These Vitamin D3 immune support and bone health supplements* are formulated with a naturally-sourced vitamin D3 ingredient, and are gluten-free and non-GMO. Packaging may vary due to high demand, same great product and ingredients.
- IN ORGANIC COLD-PRESSED OLIVE OIL: NatureWise Vitamin D3 is formulated with organic, cold-pressed olive oil that doesn't use heat or hexanes, to enhance the absorption of vitamin D3.*
- CONTENTS CERTIFIED NSF: This supplement is NSF-contents certified, which means its contents are thoroughly tested for accuracy and purity. Ingredients are also analyzed for this certification to confirm they match label contents.
- USA MANUFACTURED, 3RD PARTY TESTED: All NatureWise supplements are proudly manufactured the USA in facilities that comply to the strictest cGMP standards and undergo rigorous testing by third party labs to ensure the highest quality and purity.
- Immune, muscle, teeth and bone health support supplement: contains one 250 count bottle of Nature Made Vitamin D3 2000 IU (50 mcg) Softgels for a 250-day supply
- Nature Made Vitamin D 2000 IU softgels support bone health, teeth health, muscle health, and provide immune support
- These Vitamin D 2000IU softgels help improve calcium absorption and contain 50mcg of Vitamin D 3, the body’s preferred form of Vitamin D
- Helps slow biological aging of cells; In a clinical study, taking 2000 IU vitamin D3 supplements for 4 years helped prevent leukocyte telomere shortening, preventing the equivalent of approx 3 years of cellular aging compared with placebo in older adults
- Adults, take one Vitamin D3 softgel daily with water and a meal
- One 150 count bottle of vitafusion Vitamin D3 2000 IU Gummy Vitamins has peach, blackberry and strawberry flavored supplements, and enough Vitamin D gummies for 75 days
- Each two-gummy serving of these vitamin D gummies for adults contains 50 mcg (2,000 IU) of high-potency Vitamin D, 250 percent of the recommended daily value, and offers a delicious, natural flavor in every bite
- These delicious vitamin D3 gummies for women and men are made with natural fruit flavors, have a satisfying chewy texture and are a great alternative to traditional vitamin pills that are hard to swallow
- These vitamin D gummies for adults aid in calcium absorption for teeth and bone health and offer immune support, ideal as daily vitamins
- vitafusion Gummy D3 Vitamin 2000 IU is made with no high-fructose corn syrup, no artificial sweeteners, no gluten, no dairy, and no synthetic FD&C dyes, so you get the health support you need and nothing that you don't
- 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.