Vitamin D seems to be the talk of the town this season, and for good reason! Vitamin is an essential vitamin for the maintenance of good health and especially immune health.
Today we are helping you pick out your vitamin D supplement at Vitasave so you can learn everything you need to know to make the right choice!
Are vitamin D supplements necessary?
The role of vitamin D in health is quite wide impacting bone health, immunity, brain health, and cardiovascular health.
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that is essential for good health.
It isn't always necessary to obtain it in supplement form however it's rare for people to get enough during the winter months.
That's because sun exposure is a significant source of vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin. However it is not always possible to receive adequate exposure to sunlight in order to obtain optimal vitamin D levels.
Few foods are rich sources of vitamin D however the best food sources will include wild fatty fish (trout, salmon, tuna, mackerel), fish liver oil, and fortified foods such as milk and milk alternatives. Egg yolks, beef liver, and mushrooms also contain some vitamin D.
Most people consume less than the recommended daily amount of vitamin D which is why supplementation is commonly required.
What is the best form of vitamin D to take?
It's important to note that there are two different forms of vitamin D: D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol).
Vitamin D3 is the active form of the vitamin and is said to be more efficient. It is found in animal products and made in the skin from sun exposure whereas vitamin D2 is found solely in plant food sources.
Clinical studies have shown that vitamin D3 may be up to two times more effective at raising vitamin D levels than vitamin D2 (1)(2).
For this reason, we typically recommend looking for vitamin D3 on the label for the best results from your supplement.
Is it good to take vitamin D supplements every day?
The recommended daily intake of vitamin D typically varies between 400 and 800 IU per day however this will depend on various factors such as demographic, skin type, geographical location, season, and age.
Most often those who are getting outside regularly in the warmer months won't require a supplement.
The dose of vitamin D required will differ depending on the person therefore it is wise to verify your levels of vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) in order to supplement most appropriately.
What are the signs and symptoms of low vitamin D status?
Vitamin D deficiency is said to affect up to 50% of the population worldwide (3).
Signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may include bone pain, muscle weakness, frequent infections, fatigue, depression, bone fractures, and bone loss.
Those at a higher risk of deficiency include older populations, those with darker skin types, and those lacking sun exposure.
If you think you may be vitamin D deficient we recommend talking with your doctor to do the proper testing and assess your status to find the appropriate dosing.
Vitamin D Supplements at Vitasave
Best high dose
Most supplements provide 500-1000 International Units of vitamin D per dose but TruWild has stepped it up a notch delivering you 2000 IU of vitamin D sourced from mushrooms and lichen making it a vegan-friendly option. It is also paired with 300mg of calcium to best support healthy bones and improve bone density.
It is best to verify your blood levels with your doctor before higher dosing to avoid reaching the upper limit and potential vitamin D toxicity. High-dose vitamin D should always be monitored by healthcare professionals
Best vegan
Whole Earth & Sea Pure Food Vegan Bioenhanced Vitamin D3
Another vegan option, Whole Earth & Sea provides 1000 IU of vitamin D per capsule sourced from organic, sustainable wild-harvested lichen a food source of vitamin D3. It was specifically formulated for vegans and vegetarians using active vitamin D3, cholecalciferol, for strong bones and a healthy immune system.
Best gummies
Your tastebuds are going to like these! Conveniently formulated as gummy vitamins, Mega Food Vitamin D uses real, whole foods sourced from fresh-picked oranges, cranberries, blueberries and ginger root, plus added vitamin D to deliver a range of health-promoting compounds with no artificial sweeteners or added colors, flavors or preservatives. A perfect daily vitamin if you have trouble with capsules and want an easy to chew and swallow whole food supplement.
Best drops
CanPrev Pro Essentials D3 Drops
CanPrev delivers vitamin D3 in convenient liquid drops that you can add to your morning tea, water, or juice. As vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin this dietary vitamin formula uses medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) as an oil base. MCT oil consists of stable fatty acids that enhance the absorption of vitamin D to improve your nutrient status and increase levels of vitamin D in the bloodstream.
Best liquid
New Roots Vitamin K2+D3 Liquid
New Roots provide a liquid vitamin combining vitamin D3 with vitamin K2. Why is this important? Vitamin K2 helps to deliver vitamin D3 where it is needed in the body, such as the bones, instead of accumulating in the bloodstream where it can cause damage. Vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 work synergistically and are especially important for healthy bones, teeth, and immune performance.
Best chewable
A favorite for the kids, Natural Factors Big Friends, provides 400 IU of vitamin D in an ideal form for children to consume to support the maintenance of good health as they grow during their developmental years. Parents, you'll be pleased to hear they are sugar-free!
For adults, if you are wanting to go the chewable route, Jamieson Chewables provides fruity chewable vitamin tablets in a tasty form to boost your intake of vitamin D for a healthy functioning immune system, improved bone density, and the maintenance of good health.
Best prenatal with vitamin D
Combining all of the necessary and essential prenatal nutrients, Platinum Prenatal also provides vitamin D to maintain good bone density and optimize the musculoskeletal development of the growing fetus. Expecting mothers need to make sure they are obtaining sufficient vitamin D in order to sustain a healthy pregnancy and optimally support the developing fetus while avoiding complications (4).
There is an association between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of medical conditions and pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth (5).
One of Platinum Easy Multi's best-selling features is its one-a-day formula which helps to reduce the consumption of capsules per day without compromising on nutrients.
Best for kids
Platinum Naturals Delicious D Vitamin D3 Kids
Another delicious way to get your kids their daily dose of vitamin D! Delivering 400 IU of vitamin D per drop, Platinum Naturals Delicious D is 100% naturally sourced and free of gluten, dairy, corn, yeast, additive, artificial colors, and preservatives.
Platinum Naturals delivers vitamin D in medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), a form of fatty acid derived from coconut oil that increases passive absorption of fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamin D. MCT’s help to usher vitamin D directly into our portal bloodstream for fast and effective results.
Delicious D is also made using natural oils, which maximizes the absorption of the nutrients in your body for faster and more complete absorption. And the best part? Your kids will love it!
Best for infants
Nordic Naturals Baby's Vitamin D3
Vitamin D is also an important nutrient for infant health, especially bone and immune system development, and may help support natural sleep rhythms. Nordic Naturals Baby's Vitamin D3 provides the recommended dose of 400 IU (According to the American Academy of Pediatrics) in just one drop.
While breast milk is the best source of nutrients for your baby, it may not provide adequate vitamin D. Supplementation is said to be the best way to avoid vitamin D deficiency in infants and children.
With a convenient applicator, Baby's Vitamin D3 is made with certified-organic extra virgin olive oil, and contains no coloring or flavoring, in order to ensure that your baby gets only the purest, highest-quality vitamin D.
About the Author
Laurence Annez