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The Fast Facts
- 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, supplements may help.
- Vitamin D supplements come in two forms: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 can raise vitamin D levels higher and for longer than vitamin D2.
- Our top picks for vitamin D supplements include Pure Encapsulations and NOW Foods
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Best overall: Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 | Skip to review
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Most affordable: NOW Foods Vitamin D3 | Skip to review
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Best for vegans: HUM Nutrition Here Comes the Sun | Skip to review
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Best for kids: Mama Bear Organic Kids VItamin D3 | Skip to review
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Best gummies: Nordic Naturals Zero Sugar Vitamin D3 Gummies | Skip to review
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Best liquid drops: Thorne Vitamin D/K2 Liquid | Skip to review
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Best chewable tablet: NOW Foods Chewable Vitamin D3 | Skip to review
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Best with omega oils: Mindbodygreen Vitamin D3 Potency+ | Skip to review
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.
- 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.
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 healthTrusted Source.
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.
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.
Certain medications may interfere with the absorption of vitamin D or calcium, includingTrusted Source:
- 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
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.