Nutritionbase

Sometimes sunlight just isn’t enough.

Do you ever feel as though you are taking an excessive amount of vitamins and supplements yet may not be addressing your genuine needs? It’s not just you. Unfortunately, making sure you’ve covered all your bases is not always as simple as taking one daily multivitamin. Vitamin D is one of the essentials that you might not be receiving enough of, particularly if you work a desk job. Finding a remedy is different from being aware of a probable deficiency; you may have many queries on how to choose the best vitamin D pill.

According to Kylene Bogden, RDN, LDN, CSSD, the co-founder of FWDfuel, vitamin D, which is actually a hormone, is one of the most potent nutrients for the human body and is essential for bone health and immunological function. In truth, vitamin D insufficiency is rather typical, in large part because there aren’t many foods that naturally contain it unless they’ve been fortified.

According to her, « research continues to demonstrate that a vitamin D shortage can result in a variety of long-term health issues. » « Most people who are deficient in vitamin D won’t notice a change, but some report exhaustion, low back discomfort, weakened immunity, and persistent injuries that don’t heal. »

Vitamin D is typically advised for the majority of people, particularly those who have limited sun exposure, says Bogden. However, it is always best to discuss taking any supplements with your doctor before doing so (especially for children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding). It can be particularly difficult to meet your needs without taking supplements if you live somewhere with long, gloomy winters as many people derive the majority of their vitamin D exposure from sunlight.

Fortunately, there are several reliable supplement options available on the market, from pills to chews to gummies, that can help you meet your needs even though it might be difficult to supplement vitamin D through your diet.

BEST HIGH-DOSE

Thorne

Vitamin D3 Supplement

You may have noticed that the majority of vitamin D supplements available are D3s. This is due to vitamin D3’s increased potency and improved absorption over vitamin D2’s. Bogden suggests this supplement since it is of a high caliber and because the little capsules are so simple to swallow. Additionally, it is free of lactose and preservatives.

BEST VEGAN

Life Extension

Vitamin D3 Softgels

Bogden suggests this product if you follow a vegan diet because it offers 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 while containing zero by-products from animals.

BEST GUMMIES

Nordic Naturals

Vitamin D3 Gummies

Bogden highly recommends these candies if you prefer them over capsules because they have a delectable wild berry flavor and are manufactured by a reliable company whose products have undergone independent testing.

BEST DROPS

Pure Encapsulations

Vitamin D3 Liquid

If your recommended dosage is likely to alter based on your medical needs, Bogden suggests these drops.

These vitamin drops are very simple to use, tasteless, and the compact bottle makes them portable, according to Bogden. It can be mixed with liquid, making it ideal for children and those who have difficulty swallowing.

BEST SPRAY

Quicksilver Scientific

Emulsified Liquid Vitamin D3 + K2 MK7 Liposomal Supplement

A vitamin K combination makes sure you get all the benefits of vitamin D from your supplement because occasionally factors like diet, lifestyle, age, health, and heredity can affect how much vitamin D is absorbed. According to Bogden, this D3+K2 emulsion is fantastic for absorption and bone health.

BEST CHEWABLE

Garden of Life

mykind Organics Vegan D3 Chewable

These flavored chewables are a good alternative for people who have trouble swallowing tasteless capsules or softgels.

These have a fantastic flavor, 5,000 IU of vitamin D3, and a fantastic fruit and vegetable blend for an added immunological boost, according to Bogden.

BEST MULTIVITAMIN WITH VITAMIN D

Ancient Nutrition Multivitamin for Immune Support

This is an excellent alternative, says Bogden, if you’d prefer to stick with a multivitamin rather than taking a lot of different supplements, as it has 5,000 IU, which is uncommon in a multivitamin.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Vitamin D Supplement

According to Bogden, you should pick a supplement that contains vitamin D3.

She notes that vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), which is primarily derived from plants and is less effective at increasing vitamin D levels in the body, is not as frequently advised since it is less absorbable and potent than vitamin D3 cholecalciferol.

According to Bogden, dose can differ depending on the individual. However, the typical range is between 1,000 and 10,000 IU each day.

Ideally, she says, your doctor would check your vitamin D levels during an annual checkup and offer specific advice. Your genetics and the amount of sunshine you are exposed to will both be important factors.