Best vitamin D supplement | capsule, liquid, spray, gummies

Find out if you’re getting enough vitamin D.

Best vitamin D supplements at a glance

Best vitamin D capsules:

Jump to section:

Best vitamin D supplements 2024

Best vitamin D capsules

Vitabright Vitamin D3

Available from Amazon (£16.99), Vitabright (£18.99), Superdrug (£18.99)

Price per day (recommended dose) 4.5p

Star rating: 4.5/5

At the a maximum dose of 100mcg (2000% NRV) vitamin D3, it’s combined with sunflower oil for better absorption, but not vitamin K. The capsule shell contains gelatin so these aren’t vegetarian, although they are gluten- and lactose-free. The huge pack of 425 1-a-day softgels offers excellent value. This product is best suited to those who have had their vitamin D levels checked and as a result have been advised to supplement at a higher dose.

Available from:

JS Health Vegan Vitamin D

Available from Amazon (£17.99), JS Health (£19.99)

Price per day (recommended dose) 33p

Star rating: 4/5

Small and smooth, these capsules still contain the recommended daily dose of 25mcg (500% NRV) of vitamin D3. Combined with bran oil to help your body absorb the vitamin, these are suitable for vegans.

Available from:

Zooki vitamin D3+K2

Available from QVC (£19.80), Healf (£22.49), Zooki (£24.99), Amazon (£24.99), Bodykind (£24.99)

Price per day (recommended dose) 83p

Star rating: 4/5

The manufacturers claim that ‘liposomal technology’ increases absorption, although you might still want to take it with a high-fat food to ensure maximum absorption. These contain a generous 75mcg (1500% NRV) of vitamin D3 along with vitamin K (avoid if you’re on blood thinners). Suitable for vegans and those on a gluten-free diet.

Available from:

Vitl Vitamin D3

Available from Vitl (£5.95)

Price per day (recommended dose) 17p

Star rating: 4/5

An optimum serving of vitamin D. Supplying 25mcg (500% NRV) of vitamin D3, these vegan softgels contain sunflower oil to help you absorb more vitamin D. They’re also available in a nifty, portable little tin and are excellent value.

Available from:

VitamoreD D3

Available from Vitamore (£12.99)

Price per day (recommended dose) 43p

Star rating: 4/5

Made from calcifediol, the form of vitamin D that we make in the liver, the manufacturers claim that this form of vitamin D is more potent and better absorbed than cholecalciferol (used in the other supplements here). So, no oil and vitamin K is deemed necessary. Contains 50mcg (1000% NRV) of vegan-suitable vitamin D3. The tiny capsules are very portable and easy to take.

Available from:

Performance Lab D3+K2

Available from Performance Lab (£57)

Price per day (recommended dose) 48p

Star rating: 3.5/5

Although a hefty initial outlay (£57), this does get you a four-month supply of the recommended daily dose of 25mcg (500% NRV). Containing vitamin K to help draw calcium into the bones, remember these aren’t suitable if you’re on blood thinners or have certain health conditions. Containing vitamin D3 from freeze-dried algae, they’re suitable for vegans. You’ll need to take them with fat-containing foods as they don’t contain any oil. Free from gluten, additives, preservatives and artificial colours.

Available from:

Best vitamin D gummies

Nutrigums Delicious Vitamin D3 Gummies

Available from Nutrigums (£7.99), Amazon (£8.99), Superdrug (£9.99)

Price per day (recommended dose) 13p

Star rating: 3.5/5

These gelatine-free gummies contain 25mcg (500% NRV) of vitamin D3. Inevitably higher in additives than some other formats, these gummies contain coconut oil to help with vitamin D absorption, although gummies generally aren’t as efficient a delivery mechanism as capsules. Suitable for age 12+ but beware the high sugar content.

Available from:

Other options for supplementing

Best vitamin D drinks

Zooki Vitamin D

Available from Amazon (£22.49), Zooki (£24.99), Victoria Health (£24.99), Bodykind (£24.99)

Price per day (recommended dose) £1.67

Star rating: 4.5/5

These sachets contain 75mcg (1500% NRV) of vitamin D3 plus vitamin K2 in an oil base. You can drink them straight from the sachet or add them to a smoothie. Our tester described the flavour as reminiscent of a mixed berry yogurt. Suitable for vegans (derived from lichen algae), and free from preservatives. Among the most expensive of the supplements products we tested.

Available from:

Best soluble vitamin D

Holland & Barrett High Strength Effervescent Vitamin D3

Available from Holland & Barrett (£8.49)

Price per day (recommended dose) 42p

Star rating: 3.5/5

Dissolve these tables in water to make an effervescent drink containing 75mcg (1500% NRV) of vitamin D3. Our tester enjoyed the pleasant raspberry flavour, but described it as ‘quite sweet’. Vegan-friendly.

Available from:

Best vitamin D spray

BetterYou D3000+K2

Available from Amazon (£6.70), Superdrug (£10.49), Boots (£10.50), Better You (£10.95), Holland & Barrett (£10.95)

Price per day (recommended dose) 37p

Star rating: 4.5/5

Three sprays to the inside of your cheek provides 75mcg (1500% NRV) of vitamin D3. It also contains vitamin K2, to support bone strengthening, and is one of the few supplements to carry a warning that people on blood thinners shouldn’t take vitamin K. Extracted from lanolin, this is not vegan. Our tester appreciated the clear instructions and the pleasant peppermint oil flavour.

Available from:

How much vitamin D should I take?

The NHS advises a daily dose of 10 micrograms (or 400 International Units or IU) for most adults and children over the age of one, but individual requirements will vary depending on your age, skin colour, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, and how much time you spend outdoors (with your skin uncovered). Our expert nutritionist suggests that 10-25mcg per day should be sufficient for most people. The NHS advises adults should not take more than 100mcg (4000 IU) a day.

For labelling purposes, the nutrient reference value (NRV) or recommended daily amount, that you will see on labels, is 5mcg. This is the amount set by the EU for food labelling purposes, this figure has been retained and now forms part of our UK food law.

How should I take a vitamin D supplement?

Vitamin D is fat-soluble, so a supplement is best taken with food to improve absorption. Most people in the UK should consider a supplement daily between October and late March, although individual needs vary.

What form of vitamin D should I take?

Vitamin D2 and D3 can both help a deficiency, although D3 is naturally produced in the skin and is generally considered slightly more active and longer-lasting.
Vegans should be aware that D3 is often sourced from sheep’s lanolin; so, look for a product made from lichen or micro-algae to avoid animal derivatives.

What format of vitamin D is best?

Look for an oil-based formula as D3 is fat soluble. This could be in capsule (or ‘pearl’) form, in a spray (as it bypasses the gut, the delivery is more direct) or in drops which can be added to food or drink.

Tablets tend not to be as easy to digest; gummies or chewables – although easier for children to take – may be more susceptible to heat and moisture which can affect stability and shelf life.
Vitamin K can be a useful addition to the supplement as it helps the body use calcium appropriately (although it is not suitable for all people including those on blood thinners).

What we looked for in vitamin D supplements

All supplements were tested within the same time period, with observations recorded based on the testing criteria. We included samples from various manufacturers, offering diverse formats such as capsules, gummies, soluble offerings, liquids, and sprays, with a range of price points to suit different budgets. The key areas we assessed were as follows:

Taste and flavour: is the consuming experience pleasant?
Nutrient profile: how much vitamin D per daily dose? How does this compare to the NRV?
Additives: does the vitamin D contain additives, for example: preservatives, artificial sweeteners or colourings?
Dietary requirements: does the product meet any specific dietary needs– is it vegetarian, vegan?
Value for money: how does it compare to other products on a cost-per-day basis

Read more health and wellbeing product reviews:

Best personalised nutrition tests
Zoe review
Best collagen supplements, tried and tested
Best protein powders
Best vegan protein powders
Best protein bars
Best vegan protein bars
Best kombucha
Best meal prep containers
Best high protein snacks
Best healthy cereals
Best magnesium supplements
Best iron supplements

If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.

All health content on goodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other healthcare professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local healthcare provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.

Always keep supplements out of the reach of children.
Unless otherwise stated we tested products available in the UK market and suitable for adults.

Check the product label and ingredients before purchase to ensure it is appropriate for your individual circumstances.

Source link