Joanna Evans takes a deep dive into the best vitamin D supplements
Vitamin D is vital for warding off chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. But many of us aren’t getting enough of this much-needed nutrient, which the body makes naturally when skin is exposed to sunlight.
In fact, vitamin D deficiency affects over a billion adults and children worldwide and has been linked to all sorts of short- and long-term illnesses, from dental problems to infectious diseases to neurological disorders.1
Rarely getting out in the sun, regularly wearing sunscreen, living in northern latitudes, having darker skin pigmentation, being overweight or obese, and having certain medical conditions are just a few factors that can increase your risk of vitamin D deficiency. Even just getting older can raise your risk, as the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D from sunlight declines with age.2
Many functional medicine practitioners recommend getting your vitamin D levels tested regularly and supplementing to make up for any shortfalls. According to Dr Leigh Erin Connealy, it’s important to work with a doctor or qualified health practitioner to work out your ideal daily D dosage based on your lab findings and individual needs. But most people can benefit from taking 5,000–15,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily, she says.
Finding a high-dose—and high-quality—vitamin D supplement can be tricky, though. Here’s a quick guide to what to look for and a few top products to try.
Form. Go for vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) as it’s the form your body naturally produces and is considered more effective than D2.3
Ingredients. Check the ingredients list to make sure the formula is free of fillers and unnecessary additives like sugar, sweeteners, or artificial colors and flavors. If you suffer from allergies, look for allergens on the label and seek out hypoallergenic formulas.
Formulation and dosage. Think about what type of formula and dosage works best for your needs. For example, a one-a-day capsule may suit you better than a vitamin you need to take several times a day. Always check the dosage per capsule or softgel, or per drop if it’s a liquid formula.
Testing. Is the product tested, ideally by a third party, for potency and purity? In other words, does the label description match what’s actually inside, and is the product free of harmful contaminants like pesticides and heavy metals? If it’s not clear from the label or the company’s website, get in touch with them to check.
High manufacturing standards. Is the supplement manufactured according to stringent quality standards? Look for certifications from trusted bodies such as NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) International, the world’s authority on good manufacturing practices (GMPs).
Price. Watch out for overly cheap products, as you usually get what you pay for.
Here’s a small selection of high-quality, high-dose vitamin D supplements available in the US and UK.
HUM Nutrition
Here Comes the Sun, $15/£15.46 (30 softgels)
US: humnutrition.com; UK: uk.iherb.com
Triple-tested for purity and quality, HUM supplements are GMP compliant, non-GMO verified and certified by the Clean Label Project, which independently tests for hundreds of contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides and plasticizers. This vegan D3 supplement, derived from lichen, supplies 2,000 IU of the vitamin per serving and is free of what HUM calls the “tricky 12,” ingredients like titanium dioxide, hydrogenated oils and artificial sweeteners, flavors and preservatives, which you’d be better off avoiding.
Thorne
D-5000, $19/£15.34 (60 capsules)
US: thorne.com; UK: uk.iherb.com
Providing 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 in a single capsule, this supplement is NSF Certified for Sport®, which means it’s tested for compliance with the label claims and to ensure the absence of more than 200 substances banned by many major athletic organizations.
Like all Thorne supplements, it’s also formulated without unnecessary and potentially harmful ingredients, manufactured according to strict standards, and subjected to rigorous in-house testing. For those wanting a higher or lower dosage, 1,000 IU and 10,000 IU capsules are also available.
Pure Encapsulations
Vitamin D3 Liquid, $31.60/£22.25 (22.5 mL)
US: pureencapsulationspro.com; UK: purebio.co.uk
Unlike many liquid supplements, this formula contains no unnecessary nasties like artificial sweeteners, colors and flavors—there are just two ingredients: vitamin D3 and medium-chain triglycerides (fats).
Each drop of the liquid supplies 1,000 IU of vitamin D3, which means you can easily increase the dose to fit your needs (400, 1,000 and 5,000 IU capsules are also available). And all Pure Encapsulations products undergo testing by accredited and GMP-certified laboratories to ensure product purity and potency.
What do you think? Start a conversation over on the... WDDTY Community
Great news! Discounts are available based on your cart total. Check the details below:
