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Vitamin D Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Magnesium, Boron, and Vitamin K)

Find the Best Vitamin D Supplement with the Right Dose

Latest Update

Vitamin D Cream?

Latest Update

Vitamin D Cream?

Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Last Updated: 03/13/2023 Initially Posted: 04/12/2022

Sources:

Summary

What does vitamin D do?
There are many reasons to make sure you're getting sufficient vitamin D: These include improved bone health, reduced risk of heart attack and stroke, reduced risk of asthma and allergy, reduced inflammation, and perhaps others. Not surprisingly, over given periods of time there are fewer deaths among people who have the right amount of vitamin D compared to those who have too little or too much. For details, see What It Does.
How much vitamin D do I need?
You may already get enough vitamin D from the sun (about 15 minutes to the face, arms, and hands at least twice a week without sunscreen) and the foods you normally eat. The recommended daily allowance is 15 mcg (600 IU) for teens and adults, going to 20 mcg (800 IU) for those over age 70. If you're not sure, get your blood level checked by your doctor. A total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of at least 20 ng/mL (equivalent to 50 nmol/L) is considered "sufficient," although there may be additional benefit to being in the 25 to 35 ng/mL range. Don't exceed 39 ng/mL. Be aware that people who are Black generally have lower total vitamin D levels than whites, but research suggests these lower levels may be sufficient for Blacks. For details see How Much Do You Need and How Much is Too Much?
Which vitamin D supplement is best?
Among the vitamin D supplements that CL tested and Approved for Quality (see What CL Found), CL selected Top Picks based quality, dosage, price, and convenience of use. These include Top Picks for vitamin D-only supplements, as well as vitamin D in combination with calcium, magnesium, vitamin K, and/or boron.
When to take vitamin D:
Take vitamin D supplements with your biggest meal of the day (the one that contains most fats and oils) as this can increase absorption by as much as 50%! For details, see Take Vitamin D with Food.
How much vitamin D should I take?
For every 1 ng/mL increase, you'll need to get an additional 100 IU of vitamin D per day (obese individuals may require double the amount, and if you already have an adequate level, enzymes in your body act to make it harder to raise it). For example, if your blood level is 18 ng/mL, taking 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily (or 1,600 IU if you are obese) should get you to about 28 ng/mL. It can take 6 weeks to reach the peak. Keep taking the vitamin D to stay at that level. The tolerable upper intake level (UL) of vitamin D for teens and adults, above which there is increased risk of toxicity, is 100 mcg (4,000 IU). For details, see What to Consider When Using.
Don't overdo it! Vitamin D safety and side effects:
Studies show that people with the highest levels of vitamin D actually tend to have more bone fractures, fall more frequently, sleep less well, and die sooner than those with lower, but sufficient, levels. If your level is over 20 ng/mL, you probably don't need a supplement. If your level is above 35 ng/mL, taking a supplement may be doing more harm than good, so consider cutting back. For details see How Much Do You Need and How Much is Too Much?

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Alphabetical list of vitamin D supplement brands compared in this review

Bayer Citracal Petites

Caltrate

Carlson Baby's Super Daily D3

7798_large_Flora-BoneHealth-VitaminDK-BoneHealth-2022.png

Flora Bone Health+ with Calcium, Magnesium, and Vitamin D & K

7727_large_GardenOfLife-BoneHealth-2022 (1).png

Garden of Life Vitamin Code RAW D3 5,000 IU

GNC Calcium Plus

GNC Vitamin D-3

HUM Here Comes The Sun

Jarrow Formulas BoneUp

7787_large_KirklandSignature-Calcium-BoneHealth-2022.png

Kirkland Signature Adult Gummies Calcium - Orange & Cherry

Life Extension Bone Restore with Vitamin K2

Life Extension Vitamin D3

L'il Critters Calcium + D3

MegaFood Vitamin D3 1,000 IU (25 mcg)

Member's Mark Vitamin D3

Nature Made Chewable D3 1,000 IU (25 mcg) - Grape

Naturelo Bone Strength Plant Calcium Complex With Magnesium, C, D3, K2, & Zinc

Nature's Bounty Calcium

Nature's Way Calcium & Vitamin D3 - Citrus Flavored

NatureWise Vitamin D3 50 mcg (2,000 IU)

New Chapter Bone Strength Take Care

Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 Gummies - Wild Watermelon Splash

NOW Vitamin D-3 & K-2

ProCaps Laboratories Andrew Lessman's Vitamin D3 1000

Source Naturals Vitamin D-3

Sports Research Plant-Based D3 + K2 2-in-1 Formula

Spring Valley Vitamin D3 25 mcg

TwinLab Tri-Boron Plus 12

Vitacost Vitamin D3

Vitafusion Vitamin D3 - Natural Peach & Berry Flavors

Webber Naturals Calcium Citrate Vitamin D3

You must be a member to get the full test results along with ConsumerLab.com's recommendations and quality ratings. You will get results for 25 vitamin D supplements selected by ConsumerLab.com and six others that passed testing in its voluntary Quality Certification Program. In this comprehensive review, you'll discover:

Which vitamin D supplements failed our quality ratings
CL's Top Picks for vitamin D supplements
What vitamin D can and can't do for you, and how too much can actually harm you
How forms of vitamin D differ — including D₂ and D₃, as well as calcifediol and calcitriol — and which form is best for you
The best way to take vitamin D and how to store a bottle after opening

What is vitamin D deficiency and how to gauge if your vitamin D levels are sufficient, too low, or too high — and how this may differ if you are black
Vitamin D dosage based on your age, gender and needs
How to get vitamin D from the sun and from foods
Side effects of vitamin D supplements and potential drug interactions