7 Best Vitamin D Supplements 2024: Top Pick Reviews
Updated on
- Written by Lindsey Desoto, RDN, LD
Medically reviewed by
Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN
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Care/Of The Sunny D3
- Affordable
- Easy to purchase
- Hydrates skin
Persona Vitamin D 1000IU
- Boosts skin elastin
- Boosts skin hydration
- Ideal for dry skin
Ritual Essential Multivitamin
- Includes other beneficial nutrients
- Vegan
- Third-party tested
Vitamin D[1], also known as the “sunshine vitamin,” is produced by the body in response to sun exposure. It is essential for bone growth and development and many other essential processes in the body.
As crucial as this vitamin is, as many as 40%[2] of Americans are deficient in vitamin D. Many people can increase their intake to correct a deficiency by eating a diet rich in foods that contain vitamin D and regularly exposing their skin to sunlight.
However, some people require vitamin D supplements due to chronically low vitamin D levels, certain medical conditions, or medications.
In this case, your doctor may advise you to take a high-quality supplement to help normalize vitamin D levels in your body.
This article will discuss the best vitamin D supplements on the market today. It will also explain how much you should take and the potential risks of having a Vitamin D level out of range.
Why Do We Need Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for many processes in our body.
For example, vitamin D plays a vital role in
- Regulating the production of thyroid hormones[3]
- Improving maternal and infant outcomes[4], such as reducing the risk of gestational diabetes and improving growth, immune function, bone density, and overall health
- Helping the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are both important[5] for maintaining bone health
- Supporting a healthy immune system[5]
- Reducing inflammation[5]
- Appropriate nerve conduction in the cells
- Increasing the biodiversity of the microbiome while decreasing pathogenic bacteria
When a person does not get enough vitamin D, they may lose bone density, which can lead to broken bones and fractures. In severe cases, it can lead to a condition known as rickets[6].
Rickets is a rare disease that happens when the bones become soft. It can lead to delayed growth, weakness, and generalized pain.
You can ensure you get adequate amounts of vitamin D by exposing your skin to the sunlight and consuming foods high in vitamin D, such as salmon or fortified milk products.
Unless you enjoy eating fatty fish or fish liver oil and are frequently exposed to the sun, you may find it a challenge to maintain adequate vitamin D blood levels.
Best Vitamin D Supplements On The Market In (April. 2024)
- Care/Of, The Sunny D3 – Editor’s Choice
- Persona Vitamin D 1000IU – Best Allergen-Free
- Ritual Essential Multivitamin – Best Multivitamin With Vitamin D
- Future Kind Vegan Vitamin D3 Supplement – Best Option
- HUM Nutrition Here Comes The Sun – Best Vitamin D Supplement For Women
- Nuzena Solar Essence Vitamin D3 K2+ – Best High Potency
- Vitable Vitamin D – Best Personalized Vitamin Packs
7 Best Vitamin D Supplements For Immune, Bone & More in 2024
Care/Of, The Sunny D3
Care/of offers personalized vitamin packs to meet your individual needs. They also offer vegan and non-vegan D3 supplements as an add-on option. It is a very good vitamin D supplement.
- Both vegetarian and vegan options are available
- Includes 1,000 IU vitamin D3 per serving
- Offers personalized vitamin packs
- Must purchase subscription
Care/of is a subscription-based service known for its quality products and service. They offer two vitamin D supplements: The Vegan Sunny D3 and The Sunny D3.
The Vegan Sunny D3 is formulated with sustainably sourced algae, making it completely vegan friendly. It contains 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 per dose.
The Sunny D3 also contains 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 and is formulated with prebiotic plant fiber, acacia[10], which may help increase digestibility.
Although a third party does not test its products, the company claims that all supplements undergo several rounds of testing throughout the manufacturing process.
This supplement is only available as part of a subscription from Care/of.
Price: The Sunny D3 is available for $7 per month. The Vegan Sunny D3 is slightly more expensive and is available for $9 per month. It costs $8 to ship. Items over $30 ship free, so you may find it beneficial to include other vitamins you may need in your monthly vitamin pack to avoid paying shipping charges.
Persona Vitamin D 1000 IU
Persona Vegan Vitamin D soft gels are free of major allergens and sourced using plant-based lichens.
- Personalized vitamin packs are available
- 1,000 IU of vegan D3
- Free of major allergens
- Must purchase subscription
Persona Nutrition is another well-known vitamin subscription company. They offer personalized subscription kits designed for you after you complete a short quiz that asks about your personal history.
Persona Vegan Vitamin D soft gels are sourced from Vitashine®, which is made from lichens that specifically contain vitamin D3. Each softgel contains 1,000 IU of vitamin D3.
This supplement is also free of major allergens such as soy, gluten, and tree nuts.
The company inspects and tests all of its products. However, it does not appear a third party independently tests them. If you aren’t sure if a vitamin D supplement is right for you, they have a short quiz available to take to help guide you in the right direction.
Price: Persona does not list the cost of their vitamin but simply states it costs $0.16 per day. Shipping rates depend on the total number of vitamins you order.
Ritual Essential Multivitamin
Ritual is a subscription-based company that offers a vegan multivitamin with 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 per dose, along with other key nutrients for overall health and well-being.
- 2,000 International Units (IU) of vitamin D3 per dose
- 100% vegan
- Includes other beneficial nutrients
- Free shipping
- Third-party tested
- Must purchase subscription
Ritual is a subscription-based company that offers a comprehensive selection of vitamins. Their standard multivitamin is formulated with 2,000 IU of plant-based vitamin D3 sourced from lichen. It also contains other important vitamins and minerals such as
- Vitamin E
- Folate
- Vitamin B12
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Omega-3
- Vitamin K2
Omega-3 fatty acids[9] are essential because they work to fight inflammation and can help protect against heart disease. The omega-3 in this product is sourced from microalgae.
Although it does have an overall impressive nutrient profile, it is missing important nutrients such as calcium and vitamin A.
Ritual’s multivitamin is free of gluten, major allergens, and artificial ingredients. Their products are third-party tested for heavy metals, allergens, and other contaminants. The company also reports all of its ingredients are traceable.
The recommended dose is two capsules.
Price: One bottle contains 30 servings and costs $33. A subscription is required. However, you can cancel or change your order at any time. All orders ship free.
Future Kind Vegan Vitamin D3 Supplement
Future Kind Vegan Vitamin D3 supplement is made using 2,500 IU of lichen-based vitamin D3. It is the best vitamin D3 supplement on the market.
- Vegan
- 30 Day money-back guarantee
- 2,500 IU of vitamin D per capsule
- Third-party tested
- Pricey
Future Kind is a vegan-based supplement company launched in 2019. It is the best vitamin D supplement brand. Their popular vegan D3 supplement contains 2,500 IU of vitamin D3 per serving. It is also the best supplement for weight loss because it is completely free of added sugar and artificial flavors.
Future Kind Vegan Vitamin D3 is also free of
- GMOs (ingredients made from genetically modified organisms)
- Gluten
- Wheat
- Nuts
- Soy
- Sugar
- Salt
- Yeast
This vitamin D3 supplement is sustainably sourced from lichens[7], living organisms primarily composed of algae and fungus.
Studies[8] suggest that D3 supplements are more efficient at raising and sustaining blood concentrations of the vitamin longer than D2.
Future Kind is a trusted brand that uses third-party testing to ensure quality and that its vitamins actually contain what’s listed on the label.
Price: A bottle of 30 capsules costs $19.99 per month. If you select a monthly subscription, the price drops to $15.99 per month. Shipping is $5.95 for orders under $60. All orders also come with a 30-day return policy.
HUM Nutrition Here Comes The Sun
HUM Nutrition Here Comes the Sun offers a high potency vegan soft gel that contains 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 per dose. No subscription is necessary.
- No subscription needed
- 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 per serving
- Vegan
- Third-party tested
- Shipping is $5.95
HUM Nutrition is a well-respected supplement company known for its quality supplements. They also have a team of registered dietitians available to assist customers with purchases.
HUM’s high-potency vegan D3 soft gel contains 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 derived from plant-based lichen.
This supplement is gluten-free, made from ingredients free from genetically modified organisms (non-GMO), and free of artificial flavorings or preservatives. Plus, it’s tested by an independent third-party lab. The recommended dose is one capsule per day.
Price: A 30-day, one-month supply costs $12. Shipping is $5.95 for orders under $50.
Nuzena Solar Essence Vitamin D3 K2+
Nuzena Solar Essence Vitamin D3 K2+ is a high potency vitamin D supplement that contains 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 per capsule. It also includes calcium, vitamin K2, and Bioperine to enhance absorption. It is the best vitamin D supplement for women.
- High potency
- 5,000 IU vitamin D3 per capsule
- Added calcium and vitamin K2
- Third-party tested
- Pricey
- Not vegan
Nuzena is a health and wellness company known for its high-quality dietary supplements. Their Solar Essence Vitamin D3 K2 + is a comprehensive supplement that includes a high dose of vitamin D3, vitamin K2, calcium, and Bioperine.
This supplement contains 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 per capsule serving, which is higher than most other brands.
If you are deficient in vitamin D, you often need higher doses to get your levels to return to normal. For example, many experts[11] recommend that people diagnosed with a deficiency take at least 10,000 IU of vitamin D per day for five days per week for a maximum of 50,000 IU per week for a period of three months. This can be followed by a maintenance dose of 800-2,000 IU after levels return to normal. Supplementation with D3 over D2[12] is advised due to the longer half-life of D3 and it should be taken with a meal that contains fat. The goal is to get your blood levels to 30 ng/ml if deficient.
Additionally, Solar Essence Vitamin D3 K2+ contains the following nutrients per capsule:
- Vitamin K2: 100 microgram (mcg) (80% Daily Value)
- Calcium: 210 milligram (mg) (15% of the Daily Value)
- Bioperine[13] to enhance absorption.
The recommended daily dose is two capsules per day, which would mean these values double if you take it as recommended.
It does contain animal derivatives, making it off-limits for vegans. This product is also third-party tested for purity and allergens and made in the United States.
Pricing: A bottle that contains 60 capsules costs $35. Shipping is free on orders over $50.
Vitable Vitamin D
Vitable Vitamin D3 is a high-quality vitamin D supplement and includes 1,000 IU of vitamin D3.
- Personalized vitamin packs are available
- 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 per soft gel
- Affordable
- Gluten-free
- Shipping is $9.95 for orders under $30
- Not vegan-friendly
Vitable is an Australian subscription-based vitamin and supplement company. They are known for offering personalized vitamin kits to support your unique health journey.
Their vitamin D contains 1,000 IU of vitamin D3. It’s also gluten-free, lactose-free, and non-GMO. It does contain soy and may constrain traces of sulfites. It also is made from animal derivatives, so it’s not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
The daily recommended dose is one soft gel capsule.
Their products undergo multiple tests to ensure quality. However, it does not state that their products are tested by a third party.
Price: A 30-day supply costs $9. You will receive 30 compostable sachets along with a complimentary refillable dispenser. First orders also qualify for additional discounts. Shipping is a little more than other brands. It costs $9.95. However, orders over $30 ship free.
How Much Vitamin D Do We Need?
The amount of vitamin D a person needs a day can depend on several factors.
Generally, most children and adults between the ages of 1 and 70 should aim for 600 IU[14] per day. Pregnant people also need to aim for 600 IU daily. This number increases to 800 IU for men and women over age 70.
Keep in mind that you’ll likely need higher doses if you have a deficiency. Additionally, certain medical conditions and medication therapy may also require higher doses of vitamin D.
According to the Mayo Clinic[15], getting 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day from vitamin D dietary supplements can help people achieve adequate vitamin D levels and may even have additional health benefits.
However, some people may need more. For example, the Endocrine Society[16] recommends that obese patients, those with malabsorption syndromes, and those on medications affecting vitamin D metabolism receive a higher dose of 6,000 to 10,000 IU per day to achieve a normal vitamin D blood level. This may be followed by a maintenance dose of as much as 3,000-6,000 IU/day.
Consider speaking with your healthcare provider or registered dietitian to determine exactly how much vitamin D you need each day.
Benefits Of Taking Vitamin D Supplement
Vitamin D plays a very important role in many processes throughout our body. If you eat a lot of fatty fish and get adequate sun exposure, a vitamin D dietary supplement may not be beneficial.
However, if you have a confirmed deficiency, taking vitamin D can help you achieve optimal vitamin D levels in your body and improve certain aspects of your health, such as those mentioned above.
Moreover, the American Academy of Dermatology Association[17] recommends getting vitamin D through food sources and supplements instead of from the sun to limit the risk of developing skin cancer.
Potential Side Effects
According to the National Institutes of Health[5], the tolerable upper limit for adults is 4,000 IU per day. However, they also recognize that daily intakes below 10,000 IU per day are unlikely to cause signs and symptoms of toxicity.
Still, over time, taking high-dose vitamin D supplements can lead to adverse side effects. For example, vitamin D increases calcium absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Over time, this can lead to high calcium levels[5], which can cause:
- Nausea
- Poor appetite
- Muscle weakness
- Dehydration
- Excessive urination
- Kidney stones
In severe cases, vitamin D toxicity can occur, which can lead to kidney failure, irregular heartbeat, and even death.
Side effects of too much vitamin D are more likely to occur with excessive vitamin D administration rather than spending too much time in the sun or eating high quantities of vitamin D-rich foods.
Moreover, vitamin D supplements may interact with other medications[5] such as weight loss drugs, steroids, and medicines that work to lower cholesterol levels.
On the other hand, side effects of having too low of a vitamin D[18] intake include muscle pain, fatigue, bone pain, and mood changes such as depression.
How To Choose The Best Vitamin D Supplements?
Before taking vitamin D, you’ll want to have a blood test to check your levels. This will help your healthcare provider determine if supplementation is really necessary and, if so, how much you should take.
If vitamin D supplementation is deemed necessary, there are several things you’ll want to keep in mind when purchasing vitamin D supplements. Blood levels above 30 ng/ml are considered desirable. The lower your blood value, the higher your supplement should be to achieve optimal blood levels within a given amount of time such as three months.
- Dose. You want to select a dose that is appropriate for you. More is not always better. For example, unless you have a severe deficiency, you may not need megadoses of vitamin D. Always stick with what your doctor recommends and have regular labs drawn to monitor levels in your body.
- Source of vitamin D. Most supplements will contain either vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) or vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Although both can be effective, vitamin D3 is generally considered to be more effective at increasing blood levels.
- Quality. Because supplements aren’t heavily regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), you’ll want to choose a reputable company that tests their products. Third-party testing is also a huge plus because it allows for an outside, unbiased party to test a supplement’s purity, quality, and ingredient accuracy.
Final Thought
Vitamin D is an important vitamin that plays an essential role in many different processes in the body. Because the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is so high, many people often rely on supplements to restore their levels.
The brands and supplements we’ve discussed earlier are among the best vitamin D supplements on the market today.
Before taking a vitamin D dietary supplement, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider to discuss if it is necessary and, if so, how much you should take.
Frequently Asked Questions
Research suggests the best form of oral vitamin D to take is D3 (cholecalciferol). It can increase levels in the blood quicker and keep them sustained for longer periods of time compared to vitamin D2.
All adults should consume the recommended amounts of vitamin D each day. If a person cannot meet this through diet or sun exposure. However, always have labs drawn before starting a supplement to avoid potential toxicity.
You can find various wrinkle creams from eye creams, hand creams, and face creams. The best product on the list Although vitamin D2 can effectively raise vitamin D levels, studies suggest that vitamin D3 is superior in raising the body’s vitamin D stores.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it is stored and released within fat cells in the body. Because of this, it’s often recommended either in lower daily doses or higher weekly or monthly doses. According to studies[19], daily supplementation is more effective than weekly and monthly vitamin D administration.
Symptoms of low vitamin D levels[18] may include weakness, bone pain, muscle cramps, depression, or fatigue.
+ 19 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- Rochester.edu. (2022). Vitamin D – Health Encyclopedia – University of Rochester Medical Center. [online] Available at: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=19&contentid=vitamind.
- Parva, N.R., Tadepalli, S., Singh, P., Qian, A., Joshi, R., Kandala, H., Nookala, V.K. and Cheriyath, P. (2018). Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Risk Factors in the US Population (2011-2012). Cureus. [online] doi:10.7759/cureus.2741.
- Kim, D. (2017). The Role of Vitamin D in Thyroid Diseases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, [online] 18(9), p.1949. doi:10.3390/ijms18091949.
- Pérez-López, F.R., Pilz, S. and Chedraui, P. (2020). Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy: an overview. Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology, [online] 32(5), pp.316–321. doi:10.1097/gco.0000000000000641.
- Nih.gov. (2015). Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin D. [online] Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/.
- Medlineplus.gov. (2021). Vitamin D. [online] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/vitamind.html.
- Umd.edu. (2021). Lichens | University of Maryland Extension. [online] Available at: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/lichens.
- The Nutrition Source. (2012). Vitamin D. [online] Available at: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-d/#:~:text=A%20meta%2Danalysis%20of%20randomized%20controlled%20trials%20that%20compared%20the,those%20levels%20longer%20than%20D2..
- The Nutrition Source. (2012). Omega-3 Fatty Acids: An Essential Contribution. [online] Available at: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/types-of-fat/omega-3-fats/.
- Cherbut, C., Michel, C., Raison, V., Kravtchenko, T. and Severine, M. (2003). Acacia Gum is a Bifidogenic Dietary Fibre with High Digestive Tolerance in Healthy Humans. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, 15(1), pp.43–50. doi:10.1080/08910600310014377.
- Omeed Sizar, Khare, S., Goyal, A. and Givler, A. (2021). Vitamin D Deficiency. [online] Nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532266/.
- Kennel, K.A., Drake, M.T. and Hurley, D.L. (2010). Vitamin D Deficiency in Adults: When to Test and How to Treat. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, [online] 85(8), pp.752–758. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0138.
- Fernández-Lázaro, D., Mielgo-Ayuso, J., Córdova Martínez, A. and Seco-Calvo, J. (2020). Iron and Physical Activity: Bioavailability Enhancers, Properties of Black Pepper (Bioperine®) and Potential Applications. Nutrients, [online] 12(6), p.1886. doi:10.3390/nu12061886.
- Nih.gov. (2021). Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin D. [online] Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/.
- https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org. (2017). Mayo Clinic Q and A: How much vitamin D do I need? [online] Available at: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-how-much-vitamin-d-do-i-need/.
- Vitamin D Deficiency. (n.d.). [online] Available at: https://pro.aace.com/sites/default/files/2019-02/Vitamin_D_Deficiency_formatted.pdf.
- Aad.org. (2022). Vitamin D. [online] Available at: https://www.aad.org/media/stats-vitamin-d.
- Cleveland Clinic. (2019). Vitamin D Deficiency: Symptoms & Treatment. [online] Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15050-vitamin-d–vitamin-d-deficiency.
- Chel, V., Wijnhoven, H.A.H., Smit, J.H., Ooms, M. and Lips, P. (2007). Efficacy of different doses and time intervals of oral vitamin D supplementation with or without calcium in elderly nursing home residents. Osteoporosis International, [online] 19(5), pp.663–671. doi:10.1007/s00198-007-0465-2.
Written by:
Lindsey Desoto, RDN, LD
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
