Vitamin D is essential for bone health, muscle growth and development, and more. If you’re not getting enough of this nutrient from sun exposure, vitamin D supplements may help. Check out our picks.
If you’ve discovered you have a vitamin D deficiency, you’re not alone. It’s particularly common among:
- people who get limited sun exposure
- people with dark skin
- people over 65 years old
- people who smoke
Breastfed infants and children with certain medical conditions are also susceptible to vitamin D deficiency.
If a healthcare professional has recommended a vitamin D supplement for calcium absorption, bone health, or muscle growth and development, we’ve vetted and narrowed down our recommendations to eight supplements for when vitamin D from sun exposure is not enough or inaccessible.
A note on price
- $ = under $0.10 per serving
- $$ = $0.10 to $0.50 per serving
- $$$ = over $0.50 per serving
• 125% for kids 4 years and up
- Effectiveness: The products on our list contain vitamin D3 for optimal absorption.
- Forms: We included supplements in a variety of forms, including gummy, chewable, liquid, and capsule.
- Ingredients: We looked for supplements that are free of unnecessary ingredients.
- Price: We included products to suit a range of budgets.
- Brand reputation: The brands on our list are trusted by healthcare professionals.
- Third-party testing: We prioritized supplements that have undergone testing by an independent lab or been third-party certified.
- Vetting: The products on our list have been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being.
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We fact-check health claims, evaluate ingredients, and look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the products on this page, we considered all the vitamin D supplements that passed our vetting process. Then, we personally tested some of them to narrow down our list even further.
Vitamin D is not common in food
Sun exposure is the main source of vitamin D.
There are two forms of vitamin D
Vitamin D2 is found in plants, and vitamin D3 is found in animal-sourced food, like fish oil.
Many benefits of vitamin D
It helps with calcium absorption, bone health, immune function, and disease prevention.
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays a key role in
Because vitamin D is found naturally in very few food sources and is mostly obtained through sun exposure, many people have an increased risk of deficiency.
Vitamin D supplements can help ensure that you’re getting the amount of vitamin D you need. They come in two forms: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. While both forms can increase blood levels of vitamin D, vitamin D3 can raise vitamin D levels higher and for longer than vitamin D2.
Before you decide on a vitamin D supplement, getting your nutrient levels checked is wise. A blood test is the only way to find out whether you are deficient, insufficient, sufficient, or optimal in any nutrient.
A healthcare professional can order blood work and help you determine an appropriate dosage if a supplement is necessary for you. At-home testing kits may also be useful to measure your vitamin D levels.
Useful supplement shopping guides
Certain medications may interfere with the absorption of vitamin D or calcium,
In turn, vitamin D may reduce the potency of other medications, such as statins.
It’s wise to speak with a doctor about any contraindications.
If you get a solid amount of vitamin D and supplement with vitamin D you may be at risk for vitamin D toxicity or vitamin D overdose.
The main side effect of vitamin D toxicity is a surplus of calcium in the bloodstream (hypercalcemia). Contact a doctor if you experience the following symptoms while supplementing with vitamin D:
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- muscle weakness
- excessive thirst
- frequent urination
- kidney stones
Research shows that vitamin D3 is more effective than vitamin D2 at increasing blood levels of vitamin D. A 2020 study also found that both liquid and capsule vitamin D3 supplements can raise vitamin D levels efficiently.
Vitamin D3 is typically better absorbed and used by the body than vitamin D2. Keep in mind, vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, so it requires dietary fat in order to be full absorbed. It’s a good idea to take your vitamin D with a meal containing healthy fats.
The best strength of vitamin D can vary based on individual needs and levels, and it’s possible to overdo it. Be sure to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized dosage recommendations.
The products above are among the best vitamin D supplements on the market and suit a wide variety of needs. Just keep in mind that for optimal absorption, it’s best to take vitamin D supplements with a meal containing fat, such as olive oil or peanut butter.
Before taking any new supplements, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine whether — and how much — you need to supplement.
