- 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.
- The right level of vitamin D? 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. 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 is considered "sufficient," (note that 20 ng/mL is equivalent to 50 nmol/L), 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 new research suggests these lower levels may be sufficient for blacks. For details see How Much Do You Need and How Much is Too Much?
- What form of vitamin D is best? Vitamin D2 or D3 will raise your vitamin D level, but D3 is preferable as it may raise levels more effectively over time and is less likely to cause erroneously low vitamin D blood test results.
- How much vitamin D to 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). For example, if your blood level is 18 ng/mL, taking 400 IU of vitamin D daily (or 800 IU if you are obese) should get you to about 22 ng/mL. It can take 6 weeks to reach the peak. Keep taking the vitamin D to stay at that level. See recommended daily requirements for vitamin D. (Note that vitamin D is also shown in mcg: each 400 IU of vitamin D is equivalent to 10 mcg). For details, see What to Consider When Using.
- 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.
- Vitamin D Top Picks: Choose a supplement that has been Approved by ConsumerLab.com in the Results table below because not all supplements live up to their ingredient claims (See What CL Found). Also, see CL's Top Picks for those offering the best value, dose, and convenience.
- Don't overdo it! Risks of too much vitamin D: 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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Vitamin D Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Vitamin K, Magnesium, and Boron)
Find the Best Vitamin D Supplement. Tests and Reviews of Popular Vitamin D Supplements & CL's Top Picks
Reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.


Alphabetical list of vitamin D supplement brands compared in this review

Bayer Citracal Petites

Bluebonnet Rainforest AnimalZ Calcium Magnesium & Vitamin D3

Bronson Vitamin D3 10,000 IU

Caltrate Bone Health Advanced

Carlson Kid's Super Daily D3

Garden of Life mykind Organics Vegan D3 2,000 IU

GNC Calcimate Complete

Jarrow Formulas Bone-Up

Kirkland Signature Adult Gummies Calcium

Life Extension Vitamin D and K With Sea-Iodine

Member's Mark Vitamin D-3

Natural Vitality Natural Calm Plus Calcium - Raspberry-Lemon Flavor

Nature Made Vitamin D3

New Chapter Bone Strength take care

NOW Vitamin D

Pioneer Children's Cal Mag & D - Cocoa

Puritan's Pride Calcium Magnesium Vitamin D3

Rainbow Light Food-Based Calcium With Magnesium & Vitamin D3

Source Naturals Vitamin D-3

Thorne Basic Bone Nutrients

Vitacost Vitamin D3

Vitalite Now! Calcium & Magnesium Plus

Webber Naturals Calcium Citrate Vitamin D3

Yummi Bears Calcium + D3

Zhou K2 + D3
Make sure the vitamin D supplement you take passed our test and is right for you!
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Summary
- Which vitamin D supplements failed our quality ratings and which passed — including combinations with calcium, magnesium and/or vitamin K
- 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
- 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
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Latest Clinical Research Updates for Vitamin D Supplements
Vitamin D for COPD and Asthma?
Vitamin D for Fibromyalgia?
Vitamin D and Prediabetes
Vitamin D for Colds and Flu?
Vitamin D & Risk of COVID Death
Vitamin D and COVID-19
How Important Is Prenatal Vitamin D?
Cholesterol-lowering Statins May Affect Vitamin D Levels
Too Much Vitamin D
Vitamin D and Hearing Loss
Vitamin D for COVID-19
Vitamin D and Arthritis
Vitamin D & Cancer Prevention
Vitamin D for Cognitive Impairment?
Vitamin D For Eczema?
Vitamin D and COVID-19
High-Dose Vitamin D for COVID?
Vitamin D & Pregnancy
Low Vitamin D & COVID-19 Risk
Vitamin D & Depression
Vitamin D and PCOS
Vitamin D for Dizziness When Rising?
Vitamin D for Failing Hearts?
Too Much Vitamin D Bad for Bone?
Low Vitamin D and Low Blood Pressure?
Vitamin D and Risk of Death
Vitamin D for Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Seasonal Use of Vitamin D
Vitamin D for Asthma?
Vitamin D Deficiency & COVID Death Risk
Vitamin D and Vertigo
Vitamin D and Depression
Magnesium Helps Vitamin D
How Much Vitamin D from Sunshine?
Vitamin D and Risk of Death
Vitamin D and COVID Severity
Vitamin D & Osteoarthritis
Vitamin D & Coronavirus
Signs of Too Much Vitamin D
Does Vitamin D Harden Arteries?
Vitamin D and COVID-19 Risk
Vitamin D for COVID-19 Patients
Does Too Much Vitamin D Hurt Muscle?
How Much Sun for Vitamin D?
Vitamin D for Mom Affects Baby's Bones
Vitamin D for Hives
Vitamin D & Bone Density
What Happens With Too Much Vitamin D
High-Dose Vitamin D for the Critically Ill?
Vitamin D & Muscle
Vitamin D & Blood Sugar Control
Vitamin D and Risk of Cancer Death
Vitamin D Sprays
Effect of High-Dose Vitamin D on Bones
Vitamin D for Breast Cancer?
Vitamin D During Pregnancy
Vitamin D & Diabetes
Vitamin D for Depression?
Vitamin D for Allergies?
Vitamin D for Depression?
Vitamin D for Diabetes Prevention
Vitamin D for Psoriasis?
Vitamin D-Autism Study Retracted
Vitamin D and Sunscreen
Gummies vs. Tablets for Vitamin D
Vitamin D for Vertigo?
Vitamin D & Incontinence
Does Vitamin D Improve Cancer Survival?
Vitamin D & Kidney Failure
Vitamin D for Depression?
Vitamin D for Overactive Bladder?
Right Amount of D for Cognition
Does Vitamin D Reduce Risk of Falls?
Vitamin D for Muscle
Magnesium for Optimal Vitamin D Level
How Important Is Vitamin D for Bones?
Vitamin D for Restless Legs?
Can Vitamin D Boost Cognition?
Vitamin D May Prevent Cancer Deaths
No Bone Benefit with Vitamin D -- Really?
Vitamin D and Cognition
Vitamin D for Eczema?
Vitamin D for Back Pain?
High-Dose Vitamin D Risk
Vitamin D for Mood?
Vitamin D and Blood Sugar Control
Vitamin D and Leg Muscle Strength
Cancer & High-Dose Vitamin D
Lower Cancer Risk With High Vitamin D?
Vitamin D & Headache
Vitamin D for Strength?
Vitamin D & Colorectal Cancer Risk
Type 2 Diabetes and Vitamin D
High-Dose Vitamin D & Cholesterol
Link Between Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis?
Vitamin D's Cardiovascular Effect
Autism Risk With Low Vitamin D
Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease
Vitamin D for Asthma
Vitamin D Toxicity
Fatty Liver and Vitamin D
Vitamin D2 or D3?
Vitamin D & Alzheimer's Disease
Early Menopause & Vitamin D
Vitamin D for Muscle and Balance?
Don't Bother with High-Dose Vitamin D
Vitamin D and Cancer
Right Dose of Vitamin D to Reduce Falls
Can High-Dose Vitamin D Backfire?
Better Executive Functioning with Vitamin D
Statin Drugs and Vitamin D
Vitamin D Reduces Risk of Colds & Flu
Headache and Vitamin D
Vitamin D and Autism Risk
Vitamin D for Autism
Vitamin D Keeping You Up?
Understanding How Much Vitamin D You Need
Vitamin D & Breast Cancer Survival
Vitamin D Spray
Vitamin D Sweet Spot
Raising Vitamin D Levels May Reduce Risk Factor For Breast Cancer
Vitamin D & Asthma
Vitamin D, Blood Sugar & Insulin Resistance
Vitamin D for Asthma
Vitamin D & Fatty Liver
Osteoarthritis and Vitamin D
Vitamin D and Cancer
Vitamin D and Allergy
Too Much Vitamin D Weakens Legs
Vitamin D Improves Heart Output
Vitamin D and MS
Knee Arthritis & Vitamin D
Vitamin D and Prostate Cancer
Vitamin D Needed For Nursed Infants
Football & Vitamin D
Vitamin D Reduces PMS Symptoms
Ideal Vitamin D Levels to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk?
Be aware that there is also a risk of getting too much vitamin D >>
Too Much Vitamin D Can Increase Colds
Headlines Saying "Vitamin D and Calcium Don't Prevent Colon Cancer" Are Not Quite Right
Vitamin D Reduces Risk of Falls
Adequate Vitamin D Reduces Frequent Respiratory Infections
Adequate Vitamin D May Lower Risk of Alzheimer's
Vitamin D Increases Strength
Vitamin D Reduces Risk of Falls
More Evidence Against Too Much Vitamin D
Vitamin D and Inflammation
High-Dose Vitamin D Increases Upper Respiratory Infections
Adding Vitamin D to Statin Treatment
Vitamin D Strengthens Muscle
Too Much Vitamin D
Vitamin D and Statin-Related Muscle Pain
Vitamin D for Diabetic Neuropathy
Vitamin D and Reducing Injuries From Falls
Vitamin D for Blood Pressure?
Vitamin D Helps in Pregnancy
Vitamin D and Colorectal Cancer
Vitamin D for COPD
Take Vitamin D with a Meal Containing Fats
Risk of Bone Fracture Higher With Too Much and Too Little Vitamin D
Vitamin D for Asthma
Lower Risk of Surgical Complications with Sufficient Vitamin D
Up To a Point, Alzheimer's Risk Falls with Vitamin D
Vitamin D & Calcium for Diabetes Due to Pregnancy
Vitamin D May Help Lower Blood Pressure
Vitamin D and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Vitamin D Helpful for Asthma?
Study Suggests Vitamin D Level for Blood Sugar Control
Vitamin D Deficiency May Predict Advanced Prostate Cancer
Reduced Risk of Death with Vitamin D
Vitamin D for Weight?
Vitamin D and Breast Cancer Survival
Vitamin D Helps Fibromyalgia
Lower Vitamin D in Blacks May Be Sufficient
Vitamin D for Adolescents
Vitamin D for Post-Menopausal Women
When Vitamin D Doesn't Help
Vitamin D for Hypertension?
Vitamin D May Protect Bones From Aging
Vitamin D & Depression
Does Vitamin D Prevent Ear Infection?
Optimum Level of Vitamin D
Vitamin D for Infants
Vitamin D & Pneumonia
Lower Risk of Fibroids With Vitamin D
Vitamin D and Knee Arthritis?
Vitamin D and Pregnancy
Vitamin D and Diabetes Risk
Vitamin D and Bladder Cancer
Large Study Suggests Best Vitamin D Level
Vitamin D for Lupus
Does Vitamin D Prevent Colds?
Vitamin D & Alzheimer's
Vitamin D Speeds Recovery from Tuberculosis
Low Vitamin D Levels and Obesity -- A Dangerous Combination
Is Vitamin D2 or D3 Better?
Vitamin D Prevents Hip Fracture
Vitamin D Tests Unreliable
Does Vitamin D Help Manage Weight?
Don't Take Vitamin D?
Find out exactly what was recommended! Read the update to the Vitamin D Review. You'll get a more complete picture of what vitamin D supplements can and can't do, the latest information on what levels of vitamin D in your body seem optimal for overall health, and our test findings for vitamin D supplements. More >>
Too much vitamin D may increase the risk of dying
Vitamin D and the Risk of Death
Vitamin D Effect on Body Fat and Cholesterol
Strength Improves with Vitamin D
Vitamin D to Prevent Menstrual Pain
Vitamin D and Inflammation
Be sure you have the latest information! See the update to the Vitamin D Supplements Review, which includes details on this and other vitamin D studies, as well as our latest product tests.
Vitamin D and Pancreatic Cancer
More Vitamin D for Obese Adolescents
How to Boost Your Vitamin D!
Vitamin D - Depression Link
Vitamin D and Diabetes Risk
Kidney Stones Linked to Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation
Does Taking Vitamin D Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease?
Vitamin D and Allergy?
Calcium and Vitamin D for Girls
Related CL Answers (44)
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