14 Best Vitamin D Supplements to Support Your Bones, Brain, and Immune System
14 Best Vitamin D Supplements to Support Your Bones, Brain, and Immune System
We updated this article in November 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.
Most experts agree that it’s best to get your vitamins and minerals from food whenever possible. But in the case of vitamin D, that can be tough.
Yes, you can get vitamin D from a handful of foods like eggs, fortified milk or cereal, fatty fish such as salmon, and some mushrooms. And yes, your body can also make vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight. But for many of us, that’s not enough. Research shows many Americans are vitamin D deficient, says Arielle Levitan, M.D., author of The Vitamin Solution.
But getting enough of the nutrient is crucial. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, so it’s especially important for keeping your bones healthy and reducing your risk of osteoporosis. It’s also a key player for immune health. “We need the vitamin for our bodies to be able to fight off viruses and bacteria,” explains Frances Largeman-Roth, R.D.N., nutrition expert and author of Smoothies & Juices: Prevention Healing Kitchen.
Vitamin D works behind the scenes in other ways, too. The nutrient helps keep inflammation levels in check, promotes healthy muscle function, and is even involved in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and brain function, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Meet the Experts: .
Our top picks
Ready to pick up a bottle of the sunshine vitamin? Here are the best vitamin D supplements, according to experts.
1) Nature Made D3 Adult Gummies
Nature Made
amazon.com
$18.27
These sweet, fruit-flavored gummies taste great, but they’re made without high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, sweeteners, or synthetic dyes. “They’re easy to take on the go,” Largeman-Roth says. A bottle delivers a 75-day supply, and the gummies are USP-verified.
2) Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 Gummies
Nordic Naturals
amazon.com
$18.66
These 1,000 IU gummies get their wild berry flavor (and purple color) from fruits and veggies, and they’re sweetened naturally with organic tapioca syrup and cane sugar. They’re free of fillers and additives and have earned a stamp of approval from NSF International. You’ll get a four-month supply in each bottle.
3) Nature’s Bounty Vitamin D3 Softgels
Nature's Bounty
amazon.com
$14.59
Here’s a simple, straightforward USP-verified softgel that delivers 2,000 IU of vitamin D in a single daily dose. They’re a good choice for folks with food allergies or intolerances, since they’re free of milk, lactose, wheat, gluten, and fish. Another bonus? A single bottle will last you nearly a full year.
4) Nurish by Nature Made Vitamin D3
naturemade.com
$4.00
These softgels are a favorite of Largeman-Roth’s. You only need one a day, and “they’re tiny and easy to take,” she says. Available in 1,000 IU, 2,000 IU, and 5,000 IU dosages, they’re USP-verified and free of colors and artificial additives. Buy a standalone 30-day supply or opt for a monthly subscription.
5) Kirkland Signature Extra Strength Vitamin D Softgels
Kirkland Signature
amazon.com
$14.04
Costco’s store-brand vitamin soft gels have everything you need—with zero frills. Each soft gel delivers 2,000 IU vitamin D, and with 600 doses in a bottle, you won’t have to worry about restocking for a while. Best of all, they’re USP-verified.
6) MegaFood Vitamin D3 for Immune & Bone Health
MegaFood
amazon.com
20.99
MegaFood’s D3 is paired with an organic whole foods blend containing brown rice, broccoli, parsley, carrot, and beet, which the brand says can help the body use vitamin D more synergistically. The tablets (which come in 1,000 IU or 2,000 IU doses) are non-GMO verified, dairy-, gluten-, and soy- free, and have been tested to be free of harmful herbicides, pesticide, and glyphosate residues.
7) Carlson Labs Super Daily D3 Liquid Vitamin D Drops
Carlson
amazon.com
$17.85
Rather not deal with any kind of pill or chewable? These flavorless vegetarian drops, available in 1,000 or 2,000 IU doses, are designed to be added to food or a drink (vitamin D smoothie, anyone?). Also worth noting: The drop formula is made with medium chain triglyceride oil derived from coconuts—a good thing, since vitamin D is absorbed better in the presence of fat, Largeman-Roth notes.
8) BlueBonnet Nutrition EarthSweet Vitamin D3 Chewables
BlueBonnet
amazon.com
$8.76
Most chewables contain at least a little bit of sugar. But these 1,000 IU berry tablets are flavored with real raspberries, strawberries, and fruit juice concentrates, delivering less than .3 grams of added sugar per serving. On top of that, they’re non-GMO, vegetarian-friendly, and free of potential allergens like gluten, dairy, and soy. A bottle has a 90-day supply.
9) Protocol for Life Balance Vitamins D3 & K2 Liposomal Spray
iherb.com
$19.00
The tiny fat globules that are used to coat liposomal forms of vitamin D3 might be better absorbed than other delivery methods. Pairing the D3 with vitamin K2 can also help both nutrients work synergistically to support bone and heart health, the brand says. Just spritz the xylitol-sweetened spray on your tongue, let it sit for 20 minutes, and swallow.
Many people are low in vitamin D, and taking a supplement can help boost your levels. Here’s what to look for in a quality supplement, plus experts’ top picks.