Vitamin D, often nicknamed the sunshine vitamin, is a family of compounds including vitamin D1, D2, and D3 (1). This vitamin is produced by your body when you are exposed to sunlight.
The ultraviolet B (UVB) rays of the sun react to a type of cholesterol already present in the body (7-dehydrocholesterol) and produce vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol (2).
Even though considered as a fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin D technically isn’t a vitamin. Vitamin D is essential to the body and is needed in small amounts, which is exactly what vitamins are, however it is produced by the body, unlike other vitamins.
Vitamin D has several important functions in the body. It plays an important role in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, stimulates the immune system, helps in the development of strong bones and teeth.
Vitamin D is not found in most natural foods except fish and egg yolks. However, those forms of vitamins also require to be converted into an active form by the body to use it. However, Vitamin D deficiency has become a global health problem mainly because of insufficient exposure to sunlight (3).
Good vitamin D supplements that are readily absorbed by the body can help combat that.
Here is a list of the best 6 vitamin D supplements of 2020 that we have chosen for you on the basis of their efficiency, absorbability, strength, product features, cost, and safety considerations.
1. Best Vitamin D3 with Organic Avocado Oil: 1MD’s D3 Bone and Muscle Support
1MD’s D3 softgels contain organic avocado oil along with cholecalciferol, the same biologically active form of vitamin D synthesized in our body. Cholecalciferol is formed in our body when our skin is exposed to sunlight.
A heart-healthy oil, high in oleic acid, avocado oil is rich in vitamin E. It helps the body improve the absorption of other fat-soluble vitamins.
About 1MD’s D3 Bone and Muscle Support
With 5000 IU of highly bioavailable vitamin D3, 1MD’s D3 softgels are scientifically proven to support heart, muscle, and bone strength.
1MD’s D3 boosts the respiratory and immune systems. It improves calcium absorption in the body thus making bone and teeth healthier. It has been clinically found to help muscle function, cardiovascular health, and even cognitive functions.
Made in the USA, 1MD’s D3 is manufactured in an FDA-regulated facility using cGMP standards. This is a Non-GMO supplement. It is free of gluten, sugar, soy, and dairy. No preservatives are used in this product. It does not contain any harmful additives or fillers.
What it Contains:
Each serving of 1MD’s D3 (1 softgel) offers you:
- Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) – 125 mcg/5000 IU
- Organic Avocado oil
Just one 1MD’s D3 softgel offers you 625% of your daily recommended allowance for vitamin D. The organic avocado oil enhances the absorption of vitamin D. It’s best to take this with a meal, or as advised by your physician.
Other ingredients include gelatine and glycerine. The presence of gelatine makes this product unsuitable for vegans and vegetarians.
With 90 capsules in a bottle and a recommended serving of just one softgel a day, you get a 3-month supply with each bottle you buy.
The Pros:
- 5000 IU of highly bioavailable vitamin D3
- Offers 625% of RDA of vitamin D
- Manufactured in an FDA-regulated facility
- Gluten, dairy, and soy-free
Summary: 1MD’s D3 softgels have a combination of organic avocado oil with 5000 IU of cholecalciferol. As a highly bioavailable vitamin D3 supplement, 1MD’s D3 softgels help boost heart, muscle, and bone strength.
2. Best Vitamin D3 with Coconut Oil: SR Vitamin D3
Coconut oil improves the fat absorption mechanism of our body and increases the bioavailability of vitamin D3 because of the vitamin’s fat-soluble nature. In addition to that, the fatty acids in coconut oil help the body to burn fat and provide energy to the body.
About SR Vitamin D3 with Essential Micronutrient
SR Vitamin D3 is a product of Sports Research brand and cGMP compliant like all of its other products. The company has been owned by the family since 1980.
The liquid soft gel capsules contain 5000 IU of Vitamin D3. It is a great way to get your daily quota of vitamin D to incase you don’t spend enough time under the sun.
You can easily swallow the capsule. The flip-top cap of this product makes it easy to access and seal. Its quality is certified by IGEN Non- GMO. The product is 3rd party tested and is free from gluten, soy, coloring, and artificial fillers.
No preservatives are used in this product. The coconut oil that the brand especially uses makes vitamin D highly absorbable in the body. This product is available in 3 sizes. However, please be careful if you are allergic to tree nuts.
What it Contains:
Each serving of SR Vit D3 has:
- Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) – 125 mcg/5000 IU
One liquid softgel of SR Vitamin D3 offers you a whopping 625% of your daily recommended allowance.
Other ingredients in this product include gelatin, vegetable glycerin, and purified water. The presence of gelatin makes the product unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans.
One bottle contains 360 liquid softgel capsules offers a 1 year supply. 1 softgel a day will provide your needed dose. As a dietary supplement take this softgel with a meal or as directed by your physician.
The Pros:
- Non- GMO
- Offers 625% of the daily allowance of vitamin D
- cGMP certified
- Gluten and soy-free
Summary: SR Vitamin D3 liquid softgels with coconut oil is easy to swallow and highly absorbable in the body. It is IGEN Non-GMO verified and is free from gluten and soy. One liquid softgel provides 625% of your body’s daily requirement.
3. Best Vitamin D3 with Soybean oil: Nature Made Extra Strength D3 Bone, Muscle, and Immune Support.
Soybean oil contains omega-3 fats and it is better for overall heart health. This oil is low in saturated fat and rich in polyunsaturated fat. It is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the soybean. When combined with Vitamin D3, soybean oil can help increase vitamin absorption.
About Nature Made Extra Strength D3 Softgels Bone, Muscle, and Immune Support
Nature Made Extra Strength D3 softgels are made in the USA from high quality, carefully selected ingredients under strict manufacturing processes. The formula is absolutely free of artificial flavors, colors, or gluten.
These vitamin D3 softgels strengthen our body by improving the bone, teeth, muscles, and immune health. It plays a very important role in our immune health. This product is a dietary supplement certified by USP standards. The potency of ingredients is verified through rigid manufacturing processes.
Nature Made brand assures high-quality standards for the product. It does not contain any colors or flavors. Other ingredients involve gelatin and glycerine. The vitamin supplement is recommended by pharmacists based on pharmacist times of the survey.
The brand is restricted to pregnant ladies. Patients having kidney disease, hypercalcemia, and granulomatous disorders are very sensitive to this product.
What it Contains:
Each serving of Nature Made Vit D3 (1 softgel) offers you:
- Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) – 125 mcg/ 5000 IU
- Soybean oil
One Nature Made Vitamin D3 offers you 5000 IU 625% of Vitamin D3. It is a high dose vitamin D product and is especially appropriate for people who have vitamin D deficiency. It is better to take the medication as advised by your physician.
The manufacturer recommends one softgel daily. It should be taken with a meal. It is better to take it with water before and during ingestion so that it is swallowed easily.
With 360 softgels in a bottle and a recommended serving of one softgel a day, you get a one year supply with each bottle you buy.
The Pros:
- Pharmacist recommended No 1 product
- Gluten-free
- USP tested and verified
- Extra strength Vitamin D3
Summary: Nature Made Extra Strength D3 softgels have a combination of soybean oil with 5000 IU of cholecalciferol. It is gluten-free, USP tested, and has been recommended as a No 1 product by the pharmacist.
4. Best Vitamin D3 with Organic Olive Oil: Naturewise Vitamin D3 Bone, Muscle and Immune Support
Naturewise Vitamin D3 contains cold-pressed organic olive oil which ensures better absorption of the vitamin. It helps support a healthy mood, a strong immune system, and boost heart health.
About Naturewise Vitamin D3 Bone, Muscle, and Immune Support
The daily adult dose of Vitamin D is 5000 IU as per the recommended dosage by the Vitamin D council. It is available in three forms such as a tablet, powdered, and liquid softgel. The product is free of all the 8 allergens that are recognized by the FDA. This non-GMO supplement has no artificial colors or flavors. Its purity and potency are third parties tested.
What it Contains:
Each Naturewise Vit D3 {1 softgel} offers you:
- Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) – 125mcg/5000 IU
The product also contains the goodness of olive oil. Other ingredients include gelatin, glycerin, and purified water.
It is better to take the advice of your physician or health care provider before taking the product. The presence of gelatin makes it incompatible for vegetarians and vegans. Liquid softgel form is found to be more bioavailable.
The daily dose of an adult is 1 capsule and the bottle contains 360 liquid softgels. You can get a one year supply with each bottle you buy.
The Pros:
- Non-GMO
- 5000 IU of highly bioavailable vitamin D
- Assured standard quality and safety of the product
- Free of wheat, tree nuts, eggs, and fish.
Summary: Naturewise Vit D3 has a combination of 5000 IU of cholecalciferol with organic olive oil. It is gluten-free, devoid of all the allergens, and supports healthy muscle function, bone health, and a strong immune system.
5. Best Vitamin D3 Gummies: Vitafusion Vitamin D3 Bone and Immune System Support
Vitafusion Vitamin D3 supplement is the recipient of the 2018 ChefsBest Excellence Award. This award is specifically awarded to brands that surpass quality standards established by professionals.
The product is the only gummy vitamin brand that has clinically proven absorption. This high potent vitamin D3 supplement is made in the USA.
About Vitafusion Vitamin D3 Bone and Immune System Support
Vitafusion believes in holistic wellness and is committed to providing its customers more than a vitamin. Its Vitamin D3 gummies are made from quality checked products.
These vitamin D3 gummies come in two flavors: Natural Peach and Berry flavors.
The product does not contain synthetic dyes. It is a Non-GMO supplement. However be careful as the product is processed with products containing soy, egg, fish, and tree nuts. Therefore, if you are allergic to any of them, it is not for you.
What it Contains:
Each serving of Vitafusion Vit D3 (2 gummy vitamins) offers you:
- Vitamin D (as cholecalciferol) – 50 mcg (2000 IU)
- Total carbohydrates – 3 g
- Total Sugars – 3 g
As a dietary supplement, adults should take 2 of these gummy vitamins every day. Make sure you chew thoroughly before swallowing.
Other ingredients include glucose syrup, gelatin, citric acid, lactic acid, carrot concentrates, and natural flavors. The presence of gelatin is not suitable for vegetarians and neither it is recommended for pregnant ladies.
A well-balanced diet is needed while consuming these vitamin gummies. The product contains 75 vitamins and can supply you a one month supply with each bottle you buy.
The Pros:
- Awarded by Chefs best excellence
- Free of gluten, dairy, synthetic dyes, and artificial flavors
- Free of artificial sweeteners
- Natural peach and berry flavors are used
Summary: Vitafusion Vit D3 supports the functions of bone and immune system with 2000 IU of vitamin D3. these gummies are totally free of artificial sweeteners. However, they taste great with the deliciousness of natural peach and berry flavors.
6. Best Vitamin D Softgels: Essential Elements Vitamin D3 Supplement
Softgels can be a great alternative for people who have problems taking tablets or liquids. Essential Elements vitamin D3 softgels are pure and made from simple ingredients. Vitamin D3 helps absorb calcium and phosphorus that help improve your skeletal structure and maximizes energy use of your body.
About Essential Elements Vitamin D3 Softgel
Essential Elements Vitamin D3 softgels with 125 mcg which is equivalent to 1500 IU of this vitamin is an excellent product that promotes strong bone and muscle support. The product is made in the USA and is manufactured in compliance with the GMP protocols.
These budget-friendly, preservative-free, sugar-free, and gluten-free softgels are easy to swallow because of the small gel capsules. Devoid of dairy, soy, and shellfish, these softgels can be easily taken by most people.
Essential Elements Vitamin D3 softgels are combined with organic avocado oil that supports better absorption. The oil works as a carrier, making this fat-soluble vitamin more bioavailable.
This potent combination has clinically shown to support healthy bone, teeth, and muscle function. It’s also known to boost cognitive, immune, and cardiovascular systems.
What it Contains:
Each serving of Essential elements D3 offers you:
- Vitamin D3 (as Cholecalciferol) – 125 mcg (5000 IU)
The other ingredients present are organic avocado oil, glycerine, and bovine gelatin.
The gelatin makes the softgels non-conducive for vegetarians and vegans.
The manufacturer suggests taking 1 softgels per day. With 180 softgels in one container, it’s a 6 month supply in one go. As a dietary supplement adults should take 1 softgel daily with the meal for proper absorption. If not, take as per the advice of your physician.
The Pros:
- Made in the USA
- Contains Organic Avocado Oil for better absorption
- Gluten-free
- Preservative-free
Summary: Essential elements D3 softgels are made in the USA in cGMP manufacturing facilities. The avocado oil helps better absorption of the vitamin. The product is free from preservatives, sugar, dairy, soy, shellfish, and gluten.
Benefits of Taking Vitamin D Supplement
Exposure to the sun facilitates the production of vitamin D by your skin. Sufficient vitamin D in the body is crucial because of the role it plays in immune function, bone health, etc.
However many factors can result in its deficiency that can cause bone deformities, pain in the muscle and bones, etc. and a good vitamin D supplementation can help deal with that. It can:
- Regulate calcium metabolism in the body. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium in the intestine and retains calcium which would otherwise get excreted via kidneys (4)
- Vitamin D supplementation also can help absorb phosphorus that promotes healthy bones and teeth (5)
- Vitamin D can help strengthen your immune system. It has both anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties. Vitamin D also enhances the functions of immune cells especially T-cells and macrophages (6)
- Vitamin D supplementation can increase muscle strength particularly in those who are deficient in vitamin D. It is also associated with reduced injury rates (7)
- Vitamin D supplementation can help regulate and support insulin levels, helping in diabetes management (8), (9)
- Vitamin D can help reduce inflammation (10), (11)
Summary: Vitamin D is important in many biochemical reactions. A deficiency can cause severe problems in the bone, muscles, and teeth. Therefore, vitamin D supplementation can be extremely beneficial in improving bone health, strengthening muscles, stimulating your immune system, and many more.
Dosage for Vitamin D Supplement
In general, Vitamin D when taken orally, RDA (Recommended daily allowance) is 600 IU for people in the age group of 1-70 years and 800 IU daily for people who are above 70 years (12).
Pregnant and lactating mothers need a higher dose to meet the extra requirement. For them, 600 IU daily has been stated enough.
People who have vitamin D deficiency, have been recommended to take up to 50,000 IU per week for 6-12 weeks or more to increase the levels in the blood.
For preventing osteoporosis, a dosage of 400-1000IU/day is recommended in the elderly. Bone loss due to the intake of corticosteroids can be prevented by taking 0.25-1.0 mcg/day.
Other than that, the different dosages of vitamin D in the form of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is suggested for multiple sclerosis, preventing respiratory tract infections, and preventing tooth loss in the elderly.
However, a dosage up to 4000 IU per day has been shown to be safe.
Summary: As per gender, age, and requirement, the recommended dosage varies. However, up to 4000 IU per day is considered safe and in no circumstances should it be crossed without your doctor’s advice.
Side Effects of Taking Excess Vitamin D
If a high dosage of vitamin D supplement is taken over a long period of time, it can lead to hypercalcemia. This means there is too much calcium deposition in the body (13).
The condition can lead to weak bones and damaged kidneys. Excess calcium can deposit in the soft tissues and can result in abnormal heart rhythms, twitches and cramps, irritability, depression, memory loss, and even fractures. They can also result in loss of appetite, dry mouth, metallic taste, and weakness.
Therefore, do not take more than 100 micrograms (4000 IU) of vitamin D per day. This amount also applies to pregnant, breastfeeding, and elderly women.
Children between 11 to 17 years can also take this amount. However, children aged 1 to 10 years should not exceed 2000 IU a day.
Some medical conditions can aggravate if you take calcium. Therefore, it is better to consult your doctor because taking the supplement.
Summary: Even though vitamin D is safe, the excess dosage can cause side effects such as hypercalcemia, which means excess deposition of calcium in your soft tissues. The other symptoms are cramps, twitches, irritability, and depression.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best Vitamin D supplement?
Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol is the best vitamin D supplement. This normally comes from animal sources such as fatty fish, fish oils, and egg yolks. This form also can be produced by our skin when exposed to the sun.
What is vitamin D supplement good for?
Vitamin D supplements are great for bone, teeth, and muscle health. They help stimulate calcium and phosphorus that play a very important part in carbohydrate and fat metabolism. They also help make protein for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues.
What is the right time to take vitamin D: day or night?
Vitamin D should always be taken with a meal. This enhances its absorption. Even though morning or night doesn’t make much of a difference, taking it consistently matters the most.
What are the signs of low Vitamin D?
The signs of low vitamin D in the blood is frequent sickness, fatigue, pain in the bone and muscles, impaired wound healing, and even hair loss. If not taken care of, it can result in more complications such as autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular conditions, neurological complications, and so on.
The Final Note
Vitamin D supplements contain cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), which is the most active form of this vitamin. They have the highest bioavailability and can help benefit your bones, teeth, and muscles.
Some of the supplements also contain other essential nutrients that increase the bioavailability of this vitamin, making it more effective. However, supplements can never be a substitute for a healthy active life, exposure to the sun, and healthy food.
Like most other supplements, vitamin D supplements should be taken after consulting with your healthcare provider. This will ensure that you do not have any health complications.