Vitamin D is essential for bone health, muscle growth and development, and more. If you’re not getting enough of this nutrient from sun exposure, vitamin D supplements may help. Check out our picks.
Quick look at the best vitamin D supplements
– Best overall: Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 | Skip to review
- Most affordable: NOW Foods Vitamin D3 | Skip to review
- Best for vegans: HUM Nutrition Here Comes the Sun | Skip to review
- Best for kids: Mama Bear Organic Kids VItamin D3 | Skip to review
- Best gummies: Nordic Naturals Zero Sugar Vitamin D3 Gummies | Skip to review
- Best liquid drops: Thorne Vitamin D/K2 Liquid | Skip to review
- Best chewable tablet: NOW Foods Chewable Vitamin D3 | Skip to review
- Best with omega oils: Mindbodygreen Vitamin D3 Potency+ | Skip to review
Nutricost Vitamin D3 Softgels
– Highlights: gluten-free, non-GMO, third-party tested for purity and potency
- Active ingredients: vitamin D3 (125 mcg)
- %DV: 625%
If you’ve discovered you have a vitamin D deficiency, you’re not alone. It’s particularly common among:
– people who get limited sun exposure
- people with dark skin
- people over 65 years old
- people who smoke
Breastfed infants and children with certain medical conditions are also susceptible to vitamin D deficiency.
If a healthcare professional has recommended a vitamin D supplement for calcium absorption, bone health, or muscle growth and development, we’ve vetted and narrowed down our recommendations to eight supplements for when vitamin D from sun exposure is not enough or inaccessible.
A note on price
– $ = under $0.10 per serving
- $$ = $0.10 to $0.50 per serving
- $$$ = over $0.50 per serving
Healthline’s picks for the best vitamin D supplements
Best overall
Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3
– Form: capsule
- Number of servings: 60 or 120 per container
- Dose: 1 capsule per day, up to 5 days per week
- Price: $$
Healthline’s review
Why we chose it: Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 gets our pick as the best high dose vitamin D option because it’s third-party tested and provides 10,000 IU per serving.
If you have a severe vitamin D deficiency, a healthcare professional will likely recommend taking a high dose supplement — at least 10,000 international units (IU) daily. This may be followed by a maintenance dose of up to 6,000 IU once your levels normalize.
Plus, unlike other products on the market, it’s hypoallergenic, non-GMO, and gluten-free, so it’s a reliable choice for people with food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Keep in mind that this product is not suitable for vegans since it contains vitamin D3 derived from lanolin, a type of fat secreted from sheep’s wool.
However, Pure Encapsulations also offers a lower dose vegan-friendly alternative, which is made with vitamin D3 sourced from algae.
Pros & cons
– vegetarian-friendly
- third-party tested
- manufactured in facilities that exceed the standards of U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)
- gluten-free and non-GMO
– high dose not appropriate for all people
- not suitable for vegans
Product details
– Active ingredients: vitamin D (250 mcg)
- % DV: 1250%
- Returns: returns within 30 days
- Shipping: free shipping on orders over $25
Most affordable
NOW Foods Vitamin D3
– Form: softgel
- Number of servings: 30, 120, or 240 per container
- Dose: 1 softgel every 3 days
- Price: $
Healthline’s review
Why we chose it: We also like this high dose vitamin D from NOW Foods. It’s widely available and comes at a budget-friendly price.
Additionally, we appreciate the simplicity of the ingredients — including 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 derived from lanolin — and the fact that it’s non-GMO, kosher, and free of common allergens such as milk, eggs, soy, and corn.
Pros & cons
– affordable cost at $0.07 per serving for 120 count
- non-GMO
- third-party certified
– not suitable for vegetarians or vegans
- high dose not appropriate for all people
Product details
– Active ingredients: vitamin D3 (250 mcg)
- % DV: 1250%
- Returns: returns must be shipped within 14 days of approval
- Shipping: free shipping over $30
Best for vegans
HUM Nutrition Here Comes the Sun
– Form: softgel
- Number of servings: 30 per container
- Dose: 1 softgel per day
- Price: $$
Healthline’s review
Why we chose it: We like Here Comes the Sun for its high quality and vegan-friendly list of ingredients, including 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 derived from lichen.
It also stands out because it’s non-GMO, gluten-free, and made without any artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Like other supplements from HUM Nutrition, this vitamin D supplement is sustainably sourced, triple-tested for purity, and evaluated for potency by third-party labs.
Not only that, but HUM Nutrition also offers all customers free personalized nutrition advice from its in-house team of registered dietitians.
Pros & cons
– vegan source of vitamin D3
- third-party tested
- non-GMO
- gluten-free
– larger bottles not available
- high price point
Product details
– Active ingredients: vitamin D3 (50 mcg)
- % DV: 250%
- Returns: returns within 30 days
- Shipping: free shipping on orders over $50
Best for kids
Mama Bear Organic Kids VItamin D3
– Form: gummy
- Number of servings: 80 per bottle
- Dose: 1 gummy per day
- Price: $$
Healthline’s review
Why we chose it: The Mama Bear product line brings vitamin D to your little ones in a way parents and caregivers can appreciate. It’s gluten-free, non-GMO, organic, and vegetarian. The gummies come in four colors to “wow” the kiddos, but are all strawberry flavored.
A single gummy per day provides more than 100% of the recommended DV for kids 2 years old and up. It’s colored with black carrot juice concentrate, turmeric, and organic annatto.
We like that the gummies are about a nickel size in diameter to make for easy chewing that reviewers say is similar to a gummy bear.
Pros & cons
– multiple colors in strawberry flavor for picky eaters
- many reviewers claim their kids like the taste
– some reviewers complain about the stickiness of the gummies
Product details
– Active ingredient(s): vitamin D 25 mcg
- % DV: kids 2 to 3 years: 167%, kids 4+ years: 125%
- Returns: no returns
- Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
Best gummies
Nordic Naturals Zero Sugar Vitamin D3 Gummies
– Form: gummy
- Number of servings: 60 per container
- Dose: 1 gummy per day
- Price: $$
Healthline’s review
Why we chose it: Nordic Naturals Zero Sugar Vitamin D3 Gummies are an easy-to-take, sugar-free option (sweetened with xylitol) containing vitamin D from lanolin, which means they’re a good choice for vegetarians.
They’re also naturally colored with fruit and vegetable juice, non-GMO, and third-party tested for purity.
Plus, Nordic Naturals provides a certificate of analysis (COA) for every supplement. A COA is a document that confirms that a product meets its required specifications.
Pros & cons
– easy to take
- free of added sugar
- vegetarian-friendly and non-GMO
- third-party tested
– contains xylitol, which some people may prefer to avoid
- not suitable for vegans
Product details
– Active ingredients: vitamin D3 (25 mcg)
- % DV: 125%
- Returns: returns must be shipped within 14 days of approval
- Shipping: free shipping over $30
Best liquid drops
Thorne Vitamin D/K2 Liquid
– Form: liquid
- Number of servings: 600 per container
- Dose: 2 drops per day
- Price: $
Healthline’s review
Why we chose it: Thorne Vitamin D/K2 Liquid wins our vote because it’s one of the few vitamin D supplements that also provides vitamin K2, which works together with vitamin D and is necessary for heart and bone health.
This supplement also offers a convenient way to take your dose of vitamin D, especially if you dislike taking capsules or have difficulty swallowing. These drops can be mixed into any food or beverage.
It’s one of the most affordable options on our list and is free of soy, gluten, dairy, and artificial flavors and additives. Plus, it’s vegetarian-friendly, as it contains vitamin D derived from lanolin and vitamin K2 from geraniol, a plant-based compound found in many essential oils.
Learn more about Thorne vitamins.
Pros & cons
– provides 167% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin K2
- affordable
- certified by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, an Australian regulatory agency
- gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly
– not third-party tested
- not suitable for vegans
Product details
– Active ingredients: vitamin D 25 mcg (125% DV), vitamin K 200 mcg (167% DV)
- % DV: 125%
- Returns: free returns on unopened products within 30 days
- Shipping: free shipping on orders over $35
Best chewable tablet
NOW Foods Chewable Vitamin D3
– Form: chewable tablet
- Number of servings: 120 per container
- Dose: 1 tablet per day
- Price: $
Healthline’s review
Why we chose it: In addition to its convenience, this product is easy to find at many retailers and online.
For people who prefer getting their nutrient supplements in chewable form, NOW’s budget-friendly, sugar-free offering packs 5,000 IU of vitamin D3.
Sweetened with the sugar alcohols sorbitol and xylitol, it also contains natural peppermint flavors. Additionally, it’s kosher, soy-free, and gluten-free.
Note that because this product is made with cellulose, the vitamin D it contains is less absorbable than the vitamin D in oil-based capsules.
Pros & cons
– budget-friendly
- free of added sugars
– contains sugar alcohols, which some people may prefer to avoid
– less absorbable than oil-based capsules
- not suitable for vegans
Product details
– Active ingredients: vitamin D3 (125 mcg)
- % DV: 625%
- Returns: returns must be shipped within 14 days of approval
- Shipping: free shipping over $30
Best with omega oils
Mindbodygreen Vitamin D3 Potency+
– Form: softgel
- Number of servings: 30 per container
- Dose: 1 softgel daily
- Price: $$$
Use code “HEALTHLINE20” for 20% off.
Healthline’s review
Why we chose it: Mindbodygreen vitamin D3 potency+ contains a blend of vitamin D3 and is naturally supported with a built-in trio of organic oils (organic flaxseed oil, avocado oil, and extra virgin olive oil).
These oils contain omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids, which help your body absorb vitamin D3 (a fat-soluble nutrient). It’s also non-GMO, dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free. There is gelatin in the product, though, so it’s not suitable for vegans.
Mindbodygreen products are third-party tested, but the names of the labs aren’t disclosed.
What our tester says
Testers Candice Abellon and Kelli McGrane both tested mindbodygreen’s Vitamin D3.
“I’d recommend these vitamin D capsules based on the fact that they were easy to swallow,” Abellon commented. She also noted the high quality packaging and the substantial feel of the brown glass bottle, highlighting its aesthetic and protective qualities.
That being said, she cautioned, “It’s nice that the D3 for this vitamin is derived from a plant or algae, but the capsule has bovine gelatin, so it’s not vegetarian or vegan.”
McGrane appreciates the brand’s commitment to quality and third-party testing, finding the product easy to use daily with its one-a-day formulation.
“With that said,” she added, “the company’s products aren’t cheap, and some ingredients seem like they’re there more for advertising purposes than because there’s substantial research to back up their effectiveness.”
McGrane continued, “While I do like the product, I’m debating continuing with it because I have to purchase it from mindbodygreen’s website.”
Lastly, as a registered dietitian, McGrane also raised a concern about the high dosage of this product, advising that it is best suited for those specifically directed by a healthcare professional to take 5,000 IUs of vitamin D.
Pros & cons
– third-party tested
- enhanced absorption due to omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids
- high dosage may not be suitable for everyone
– expensive
- not suitable for vegans because of gelatin capsule
Product details
– Active ingredients: organic algal vitamin D3
- % DV: 625 %
- Returns: returns within 30 days
- Shipping: free shipping on orders over $98
Comparing the best vitamin D supplements
How we chose the best vitamin D supplements
– Effectiveness: The products on our list contain vitamin D3 for optimal absorption.
- Forms: We included supplements in a variety of forms, including gummy, chewable, liquid, and capsule.
- Ingredients: We looked for supplements that are free of unnecessary ingredients.
- Price: We included products to suit a range of budgets.
- Brand reputation: The brands on our list are trusted by healthcare professionals.
- Third-party testing: We prioritized supplements that have undergone testing by an independent lab or been third-party certified.
- Vetting: The products on our list have been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being.
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We fact-check health claims, evaluate ingredients, and look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the products on this page, we considered all the vitamin D supplements that passed our vetting process. Then, we personally tested some of them to narrow down our list even further.
Labcorp OnDemand’s Essential Vitamin Deficiency Test may help you uncover nutritional deficiencies and make informed decisions about what you eat.
Refresh on vitamin D
Vitamin D is not common in food
SUN EXPOSURE IS THE MAIN SOURCE OF VITAMIN D.
There are two forms of vitamin D
VITAMIN D2 IS FOUND IN PLANTS, AND VITAMIN D3 IS FOUND IN ANIMAL-SOURCED FOOD, LIKE FISH OIL.
Many benefits of vitamin D
IT HELPS WITH CALCIUM ABSORPTION, BONE HEALTH, IMMUNE FUNCTION, AND DISEASE PREVENTION.
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays a key role in many aspects of health
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Because vitamin D is found naturally in very few food sources and is mostly obtained through sun exposure, many people have an increased risk of deficiency.
Vitamin D supplements can help ensure that you’re getting the amount of vitamin D you need. They come in two forms: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. While both forms can increase blood levels of vitamin D, vitamin D3 can raise vitamin D levels higher and for longer than vitamin D2.
How to choose the best vitamin D supplement for you
Before you decide on a vitamin D supplement, getting your nutrient levels checked is wise. A blood test is the only way to find out whether you are deficient, insufficient, sufficient, or optimal in any nutrient.
A healthcare professional can order blood work and help you determine an appropriate dosage if a supplement is necessary for you. At-home testing kits may also be useful to measure your vitamin D levels.
Useful supplement shopping guides
– How to Choose High Quality Vitamins and Supplements
- How to Read Supplement Labels Like a Pro
Need-to-know warnings about vitamin D supplementation
Certain medications may interfere with the absorption of vitamin D or calcium, including
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– Xenical (orlistat)
- steroids
- thiazide diuretics
In turn, vitamin D may reduce the potency of other medications, such as statins.
It’s wise to speak with a doctor about any contraindications.
If you get a solid amount of vitamin D and supplement with vitamin D you may be at risk for vitamin D toxicity or vitamin D overdose.
The main side effect of vitamin D toxicity is a surplus of calcium in the bloodstream (hypercalcemia). Contact a doctor if you experience the following symptoms while supplementing with vitamin D:
– loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- muscle weakness
- excessive thirst
- frequent urination
- kidney stones
Frequently asked questions about vitamin D
What is the most effective vitamin D to take?
Research shows that vitamin D3 is more effective than vitamin D2 at increasing blood levels of vitamin D. A 2020 study also found that both liquid and capsule vitamin D3 supplements can raise vitamin D levels efficiently.
Which form of vitamin D is best absorbed?
Vitamin D3 is typically better absorbed and used by the body than vitamin D2. Keep in mind, vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, so it requires dietary fat in order to be full absorbed. It’s a good idea to take your vitamin D with a meal containing healthy fats.
What is the best strength of vitamin D to take daily?
The best strength of vitamin D can vary based on individual needs and levels, and it’s possible to overdo it. Be sure to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized dosage recommendations.
The bottom line
The products above are among the best vitamin D supplements on the market and suit a wide variety of needs. Just keep in mind that for optimal absorption, it’s best to take vitamin D supplements with a meal containing fat, such as olive oil or peanut butter.
Before taking any new supplements, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine whether — and how much — you need to supplement.
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