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

Find the Best Vitamin D Supplement and Avoid Problems

Latest Update

Vitamin D for Memory?

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

Expanded August 12, 2024

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Products Tested in 2024

+— 394 sources

In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable. The following sources are referenced in this article:

Summary

What does vitamin D do?
There are many reasons to make sure you're getting sufficient, but not excessive, vitamin D: These include improved bone health, reduced risk of heart attack and stroke, reduced risk of asthma and allergy, reduced inflammation, possibly, a reduced risk of prostate cancer, 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, increasing 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?
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.

Vitamin D supplements are sold as tablets, chewable tablets, capsules, gummies, softgels or liquids. Vitamin D sprays are also sold and can be as effective as a pill or liquid drops, although they tend to be more expensive.
Which vitamin D supplement is best?
Among the vitamin D-containing supplements that CL tested and Approved for Quality (see What CL Found), CL selected Top Picks based on superior quality, dosage, price, and convenience of use.(In addition to the products tested in this review, other products discussed include Bronson Vitamin D3 10,000 IU, Jarrow Formulas BoneUp, Member’s Mark [Sam’s Club] Vitamin D-3 2000 IU, Spring Valley Vitamin D3 25 mcg, and Webber Naturals Calcium Citrate Vitamin D3.)
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 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?.

Make sure you're choosing the best vitamin D supplements approved in our tests!

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Alphabetical list of vitamin D supplement brands compared in this review

AlgaeCal Plus

Bayer Citracal Petites

Biotics Research Bio-D-Mulsion Forte

Caltrate Minis

Carlson Plant-Based Super Daily D3

Carlson_Super_Daily_D3_plus_K2-Bone_Health-2024-small.png

Carlson Super Daily D3 + K2

Carlson Super Daily D3 2,000 IU

Doctor's Best Vegan D3 2,500 IU

Garden_of_Life_Vitamin_Code_Raw_D3-Bone_Health-2024-small.png

Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw D3 5,000 IU (125 mcg)

GNC Calcium Plus

Innovixlabs_Vitamin_D3_plus_K2-Bone_Health-2024-small.png

Innovixlabs Vitamin D3 + K2

Kirkland_Signature_Calcium_500_mg_with_D3_and_Zinc-Orange_and_Cherry_Natural_Fruit_Flavors-Bone_Health-2024-small.png

Kirkland Signature Adult Gummies Calcium 500 mg with D3 & Zinc - Orange & Cherry Natural Fruit Flavors

Kirkland Signature D3 50 mcg

Life Extension Bone Restore Calcium Supplement with Vitamin K2

Life Extension Vitamins D and K with Sea-Iodine

Metagenics Bone Builder Forte

Nature Made D3 1,000 IU (25 mcg)

New Chapter Plant Calcium Bone Strength Take Care

Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 Gummies - Great Wild Berry Taste

NOW High Potency Vitamin D-3 2,000 IU

Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 Liquid

Source Naturals Vitamin D-3

Sports Research D3 + K2

Thorne Vitamin D + K2

Vitacost Vitamin D3 125 mcg (5,000 IU)

Whole_Earth_and_Sea_Vegan_Bioenhanced_Vitamin_D3_1000_IU-Bone_Health-2024-small.png

Whole Earth & Sea Vegan Bioenhanced Vitamin D3 1,000 IU

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 18 vitamin D supplements selected by ConsumerLab.com and 8 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