Best high dose
Pure Encapsulations D3 10,000 IU
- Dose: 1 capsule contains 10,000 IU of vitamin D3
- Price: $$
For people with a severe vitamin D deficiency, taking a high dose supplement is necessary, though it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for a personalized dosage recommendation (4). Taking at least 10,000 IU of vitamin D daily is often recommended for people who have been diagnosed with a deficiency. This may be followed by a maintenance dose of up to 6,000 IU once levels normalize (4).
These capsules contain 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 per serving and are hypoallergenic, non-GMO, and gluten-free.
Pure Encapsulations is also a trusted brand that’s certified by USP, which sets strict, product-specific standards for supplements.
NOW Foods D3 10,000 IU
- Dose: 1 capsule contains 10,000 IU of vitamin D3
- Price: $$
NOW Foods is another excellent supplement brand that makes high dose vitamin D supplements.
This specific product provides 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 in each softgel capsule.
It’s also non-GMO, kosher, and free of dairy, eggs, sugar, soy, and corn.
In addition to testing all products for quality assurance in its in-house laboratories, NOW Foods has its products third-party tested by Underwriters Laboratory.
Just keep in mind that while this product is appropriate for some people, it’s important to check with a healthcare professional before taking high dose vitamin D supplements.
Best vegan
Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 (Vegan) Liquid
- Dose: 5 drops deliver 1,000 IU of D3
- Price: $$
Many vitamin D3 supplements are derived from fish or sheep’s wool, making them inappropriate for vegans (5).
As a result, many vegan products contain ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) — a form of vitamin D that’s vegan since it’s derived from yeast or mushrooms.
However, research shows that D2 isn’t as effective at raising your blood levels as D3 (6).
Recently, companies have found a way to manufacture vegan-friendly vitamin D3.
Pure Encapsulations, for example, offers a liquid D3 product that’s derived from sustainably harvested lichen.
It’s not only vegan but also free of gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and artificial colors or flavors.
What’s more, Pure Encapsulations thoroughly tests all products and manufactures supplements in a facility that exceeds the standards set by USP.
HUM Nutrition Here Comes the Sun
- Dose: 1 softgel capsule delivers 2,000 IU of vitamin D3
- Price: $$
HUM Nutrition is a company that offers high quality supplements and personalized nutrition advice from its in-house team of registered dietitians.
This high potency softgel supplement contains vitamin D3 derived from lichen, making it a great option for vegans and vegetarians.
It’s also non-GMO, gluten-free, and made without any artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Plus, HUM Nutrition products are sustainably sourced, triple-tested for purity, and evaluated for potency by third-party labs.
Best gummies
Nordic Naturals Zero Sugar Vitamin D3 Gummies 1,000 IU
- Dose: 1 gummy contains 1,000 IU of D3
- Price: $$
Gummy vitamins are popular among adults and kids alike. Although they’re fun to chew, most contain added sugar.
If you’re trying to reduce your sugar intake, opt for Nordic Naturals’ sugar-free vitamin D3 gummy, which is sweetened with xylitol and colored with fruit and vegetable juice.
In addition to being vegetarian and non-GMO, it’s third-party tested for purity.
Plus, Nordic Naturals provides a certificate of analysis (COA) for every supplement, which is a document that confirms that a product meets its required specifications. Also, keep in mind that sugar alcohols like xylitol may cause some people to experience digestive issues, such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
Best drops
Thorne Vitamin D/K2
- Dose: 2 drops deliver 1,000 IU of D3 and 200 mcg of K2
- Price: $
Thorne is a trusted supplement brand certified by the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA), a regulatory agency run by the Australian Department of Health.
Thorne’s liquid vitamin D supplement also provides vitamin K2, which works synergistically with vitamin D and is necessary for heart and skeletal health (7).
Thorne products are manufactured in a facility that’s certified by NSF International and undergo four rounds of testing in the company’s in-house laboratories.
This supplement is also free of soy, gluten, and dairy and made without any artificial flavors or additives.
Best liquid
Designs for Health Liposomal D Supreme
- Dose: 1 pump delivers 2,500 IU of vitamin D and 325 mg of total vitamin K
- Price: $$$
Designs for Health’s Liposomal Vitamin D Supreme liquid drops combine vitamin D with vitamins K1 and K2.
Liposomes are tiny spheres of fat used as carriers for vitamin D and other fat-soluble nutrients in certain supplements (8).
Interestingly, liposomal forms of this vitamin have been shown to be better absorbed than tablet forms of vitamin D supplements (8).
Vitamins K and D work synergistically in your body, meaning that they enhance each other’s effects. Some research indicates that taking both may promote bone and heart health to a greater extent than taking vitamin D alone (9).
In addition to being free of dairy, gluten, and GMOs, Designs for Health supplements are produced in a facility that complies with the Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) set by the Food and Drug Administration.
Best chewable
NOW Foods Chewable Vitamin D3 5,000 IU
- Dose: 1 chewable tablet contains 5,000 IU of D3
- Price: $$
Some people prefer chewable vitamins over capsules, liquids, gummies, and pills. Yet, many chewables contain added sugar.
Unlike other chewable vitamin D supplements, NOW’s Chewable Vitamin D3 5,000 IU is sweetened with the sugar alcohols xylitol and sorbitol, as well as natural vanilla and peppermint flavors.
This product is also kosher, soy-free, and gluten-free. NOW Foods also adheres to good manufacturing practices and tests products in-house for purity and antoanvesinh.comn, keep in mind that sugar alcohols can cause digestive problems, such as stomach upset and diarrhea, especially when consumed in large amounts. Also, this supplement is held together with cellulose, making it less absorbable than oil-based capsules.
Best prenatal with vitamin D
FullWell Prenatal Vitamin
- Dosage: 1 serving delivers 4,000 IU of vitamin D
- Price: $$$
It’s recommended that pregnant women supplement with 600 IU of vitamin D3 per day, though some research suggests that higher doses may support better maternal and infant outcomes (10).
In fact, experts suggest that to maintain blood levels of this nutrient, which may help protect against pregnancy-related complications, pregnant women should take up to 4,000 IU of D3 per day (10, 11).
Breastfeeding women may need even more. Some studies indicate that a daily dose of 6,400 IU promotes optimal vitamin D levels in both breastfeeding women and breastfed infants, though it’s best to consult a healthcare professional for a personalized recommendation (12).
Nonetheless, most prenatal supplements contain only 400-1,000 IU of this vitamin per dose.
FullWell Prenatal is a prenatal vitamin created by registered dietitians that delivers 4,000 IU of vitamin D per dose, along with other necessary nutrients for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Just keep in mind that a serving size is eight capsules, which may be a deal-breaker if you dislike swallowing pills.
Ritual Prenatal Multivitamin
- Dose: 2 capsules deliver 2,000 IU of vitamin D
- Price: $$$
Ritual is a subscription-based company that offers a prenatal vitamin with 2,000 IU of vitamin D per dose, along with other necessary nutrients for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Ritual provides detailed information on ingredient sourcing and uses a third-party lab to test each product twice for contaminants.
These prenatal capsules are also vegan, non-GMO, and free of major allergens, artificial colors, and fillers.
Just keep in mind that Ritual’s prenatal is less comprehensive than FullWell’s, as it’s lower in choline and doesn’t contain nutrients like vitamin A, many B vitamins, and calcium. Still, it’s a good option for those who maintain a balanced diet and prefer to take just 2 capsules per day.
Best subscription service
Care/of
- Dose: 1,000 IU per capsule
- Price: $$
Care/of is a subscription-based vitamin company that offers a variety of supplements to consumers looking for a convenient way to fill their nutrient gaps.
Care/of delivers personalized supplements monthly right to your door.
You take an online quiz that asks questions about your diet and lifestyle, and based on the results, Care/of suggests specific nutrients that may benefit your health.
Care/of offers two vitamin D products — The Sunny D3 and The Vegan Sunny D3.
Both products contain 1,000 IU per capsule. The vegan supplement contains vitamin D3 sourced from algae, meaning it’s safe for those following a vegan diet.
Additionally, Care/of sources ingredients from trusted suppliers around the globe and conducts three rounds of testing throughout the manufacturing process to ensure safety and quality.
Persona Vitamin D – Vegan – 1000 IU
- Dose: 1,000 IU per softgel
- Price: $$
Persona Nutrition is another subscription-based company that offers personalized supplements to consumers based on an assessment quiz that asks questions about their diet and lifestyle.
Persona Nutrition customers get personalized vitamin packs delivered to their door monthly.
The company offers several vitamin-D-based products, including its Vitamin D – Vegan – 1000 IU softgel capsules.
This supplement contains a vegan-friendly form of D3 called Vitashine®, which is derived from plant-like organisms known as lichens.
In addition to being vegan, it’s made without many common allergens, including wheat, fish, soy, peanuts, gluten, and corn.
Persona Nutrition also notes that all products are tested for purity at each stage of production. However, it doesn’t mention whether products also undergo third-party testing by an independent lab.
Best for kids
Carlson Labs Kid’s Super Daily D3 + K2
- Dose: 1 drop contains 1,000 IU of D3 and 22.5 mcg of K2
- Price: $
Vitamin D is necessary for children as well as adults (13).
Plus, some children may be at risk of a deficiency, particularly those who take epilepsy medication or have absorption issues (14, 15).
Still, some children’s vitamin supplements contain added sugar to increase palatability.
Carlson Labs’ Kid’s Super Daily D3 + K2 liquid drops only contain D3, vitamin K2, and medium-chain triglycerides as the carrier oil, making it a healthier choice for your child.
While it’s vegetarian, dairy-free, and certified non-GMO by the International GMO Evaluation and Notification program, Carlson Labs doesn’t specify whether products undergo any other third-party testing.
Best for infants
Nordic Naturals Baby’s Vitamin D3
- Dose: 1 drop contains 400 IU of vitamin D3
- Price: $
Vitamin D is essential for proper bone development in babies (16).
As breastmilk contains inadequate amounts of vitamin D, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all breastfed and partially breastfed infants receive 400 IU of vitamin D per day (16).
Nordic Naturals Baby’s Vitamin D3 is one of the best options, as it contains 400 IU of vitamin D3 per drop.
The supplement is also free of artificial additives, with certified organic olive oil as the only other ingredient.
What’s more, the supplement is easy to use, as the oil can be applied to the nipple while breastfeeding, mixed into a bottle of pumped breastmilk, or dropped directly into an infant’s mouth.