Choosing the Best Vegan Vitamin D3 Supplement

Vitamin D’s claim to fame is the role it plays in bone health – its main function is helping our body absorb calcium, which makes our bones stronger. Without enough Vitamin D, our bones absorb little calcium, which can make them susceptible to breaks and fractures, especially throughout the aging process, and can cause soft and misshapen bones in children.

In addition to its role in the health and strength of our bones, high levels of Vitamin D have also been associated with a reduction in the risk of developing multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and the flu. It even helps regulate mood, and is capable of warding off depression.

What’s Special About D3?

Vitamin D is one of the most complex nutrients needed by the human body.

Vitamin D is available in two forms: ergocalciferol, or Vitamin D2, and cholecalciferol, or Vitamin D3. While Vitamin D2 is widely available from vegan-friendly fortified soy milk and cereals, Vitamin D3 is a little harder to come by.

Your body can synthesize Vitamin D3 from the sun, but this usually isn’t enough to count on to get enough Vitamin D3 daily, and you’d still need help from a supplement in the wintertime when it gets darker earlier.

Omnivores can consume Vitamin D3 through various animal foods, but for vegans, the best way to ensure you’re meeting your recommended daily amount of the nutrient is to take a vegan-friendly supplement.

List of Vegan Vitamin D3 Brands

Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 Gummies, Wild Berry - 120 Gummies - 1000 IU Vitamin D3 - Great Taste - Healthy Bones, Mood & Immune System Function - Non-GMO - 120 Servings
Country Life Vegan D3 125mcg 5,000 I.U. 100% Plant Derived Vitamin D3 Promotes Bone & Immune Health - Cognitive Health Support Supplement - Vegan, Gluten-Free - 60 Vegan Softgels
Doctor's Best, Best Vegan D3, 2500 IU, 60 Veggie Caps - 2pc
MRM Nuturition Vegan Vitamin D3 5,000 IU | Bone + Immune Health | Made from lichens | Supports Calcium Absorption | Vegan + Vegetarian Friendly | 60 Servings
Amount of Vitamin D3
1,000 IU
5,000 IU
2,500 IU
5,000 IU
% of Daily Value
250%
1250%
625%
1250%
Application Type
Gummy
Softgel
Veggie Caps
Tablet
Servings per Bottle
120
60
60
60
Serving Size
1 gummy
1 softgel
1 capsule
1 tablet
Organic
Non-GMO
Gluten-Free
Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 Gummies, Wild Berry - 120 Gummies - 1000 IU Vitamin D3 - Great Taste - Healthy Bones, Mood & Immune System Function - Non-GMO - 120 Servings
Amount of Vitamin D3
1,000 IU
% of Daily Value
250%
Application Type
Gummy
Servings per Bottle
120
Serving Size
1 gummy
Organic
Non-GMO
Gluten-Free
Country Life Vegan D3 125mcg 5,000 I.U. 100% Plant Derived Vitamin D3 Promotes Bone & Immune Health - Cognitive Health Support Supplement - Vegan, Gluten-Free - 60 Vegan Softgels
Amount of Vitamin D3
5,000 IU
% of Daily Value
1250%
Application Type
Softgel
Servings per Bottle
60
Serving Size
1 softgel
Organic
Non-GMO
Gluten-Free
Doctor's Best, Best Vegan D3, 2500 IU, 60 Veggie Caps - 2pc
Amount of Vitamin D3
2,500 IU
% of Daily Value
625%
Application Type
Veggie Caps
Servings per Bottle
60
Serving Size
1 capsule
Organic
Non-GMO
Gluten-Free
MRM Nuturition Vegan Vitamin D3 5,000 IU | Bone + Immune Health | Made from lichens | Supports Calcium Absorption | Vegan + Vegetarian Friendly | 60 Servings
Brand
Amount of Vitamin D3
5,000 IU
% of Daily Value
1250%
Application Type
Tablet
Servings per Bottle
60
Serving Size
1 tablet
Organic
Non-GMO
Gluten-Free

Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 Gummies, Wild Berry - 120 Gummies - 1000 IU Vitamin D3 - Great Taste - Healthy Bones, Mood & Immune System Function - Non-GMO - 120 Servings

Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 Gummies

Even adults love gummy vitamins!

The Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 Gummies contains 250% of the recommended daily intake of the vitamin, so it’s a good option for daily use.

The supplement is made from organic ingredients and is free from gluten, artificial flavors and colors, and preservatives.

Because of their berry flavor and the fact that they’re chewable, this is a perfect option for vegan children. There are 120 one-gummy servings per bottle.

What We Love

With so many gummy vitamins made from gelatin, it’s a treat to be able to have a chewy supplement that’s entirely vegan-friendly. These gummy vitamins are made with plant-based pectin instead of gelatin and have great wild berry flavor beloved by both kids and adults.

The Downside

To achieve the sweet, candy-like flavor, these supplements do contain sugar, both in the gummy itself and in the sour coating. There are 2g of carbohydrates and 1g of sugar in each gummy.

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Country Life Vegan D3 125mcg 5,000 I.U. 100% Plant Derived Vitamin D3 Promotes Bone & Immune Health - Cognitive Health Support Supplement - Vegan, Gluten-Free - 60 Vegan Softgels

Country Life Vegan D3 Capsules

Certified vegan by the AVA, Country Life’s powerful softgels contain 5,000 UI of Vitamin D3 per serving.

The easy-to-take softgels are made from vegetable glycerin, and are tiny, which makes them good for those who have trouble swallowing large pills – they’re no larger than a baby aspirin.

This supplement uses Vitashine, a plant-based Vitamin D3 derived from lichen. Many reviewers note a discernable change in energy, mood, and mental clarity after taking these supplements.

What We Love

With over a thousand times the recommended daily intake of Vitamin D, these supplements are a good choice for those with extremely low levels of the vitamin that need to quickly and effectively raise the amount they’re ingesting. Additionally, the capsules are very small, which means they’re easy to take, and not bloated up with unnecessary fillers.

The Downside

These softgels contain carrageenan, an ingredient derived from seaweed that some research shows promotes inflammation in the stomach and digestive tract.

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Doctor's Best, Best Vegan D3, 2500 IU, 60 Veggie Caps - 2pc

Doctor’s Best Vegan Vitamin D3

Registered with the UK Vegan Society, Doctor’s Best vegan Vitamin D3 supplements contain 2,500 UI of Vitamin D3 per veggie capsule.

The company uses modified cellulose to create a vegetarian-friendly capsule for vegan diets and easy consumption.

Additionally, these supplements are the most affordable of the bunch, so it’s a good option for those on tight budgets who still want to get all the necessary nutrients from a vegan diet.

It is free of carrageenan and made entirely from plant-based ingredients.

What We Love

Aside from being extremely affordable, these capsules are also a good amount of Vitamin D3 for those who need to raise their amount of D3 without being over the top. Even reviewers with diseases like Multiple Sclerosis endorse this vitamin, noting how it’s improved everything from MS exacerbations to everyday fatigue.

The Downside

Those who prefer to eat organic and non-GMO will want to avoid this supplement – while it is extremely affordable, the tradeoff is that it contains ingredients that are not organic and are genetically modified. Also, these capsules contain gluten, so they are not suitable for those with celiac disease.

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MRM Nuturition Vegan Vitamin D3 5,000 IU | Bone + Immune Health | Made from lichens | Supports Calcium Absorption | Vegan + Vegetarian Friendly | 60 Servings

MRM Vegan Vitamin D3

Even strict vegans and vegetarians can take these Vitamin D3 capsules with confidence, as MRM’s is the only vegetarian and vegan society certified Vitamin D3 supplement on the market.

This supplement contains over 1,000% of the recommended daily amount of Vitamin D3 and is free of sugar, wheat, eggs, dairy, gluten, peanuts, and other food allergens.

Each bottle comes with 60 capsules containing 5,000 UI of Vitamin D3 each. The capsules are GMO-free and non-GMO project registered.

What We Love

Reviewers find this supplement to be easy to swallow, due to the small size of each tablet, and easy on the stomach, with no trace of queasiness or nausea despite the high amount of the vitamin. It’s also extremely effective – many people who suffered from low levels of the vitamin have had to cut back over time because their levels of D3 are now too high.

The Downside

The supplements are packaged in a glass jar, which is environmentally friendly, but can be problematic if you have small children in your home who might drop the container.

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How Much Vitamin D Do I Need?

The recommended dietary allowance for men and women under the age of 70 is 600 International Units every day. For adults over the age of 70, consumption should increase to 800 IU daily, to compensate for the lowered absorbability of calcium and D3 as we age.

However, when it comes to supplements, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. The tolerable upper intake levels of vitamin D are set at 4,000 IUs for everyone over age 9 – this means that over this amount, you can start to experience unpleasant health side effects, as the increase in blood calcium levels from an excess of Vitamin D can result in kidney stones and damage, confusion, disorientation, and nausea.

Your doctor can conduct a simple blood test to see how much Vitamin D3 you should be supplementing with.

Considerations in Supplementation

Generally speaking, according to most scientific research, it doesn’t matter if you take your Vitamin D supplement with food or on an empty stomach – Vitamin D is passively absorbed in the lower intestine.

Interestingly, one study found that absorption decreased by 30% in rats who consumed very high-fat diets.

When it comes to how to take your supplement, your mileage may vary. If you find taking your supplement on an empty stomach makes you feel nauseous, try taking it with some food and see if that helps.

You’ll want to take your vitamin according to what makes you feel best, as the method of ingestion won’t make much of a difference on how much is absorbed.

Vitamin D3 on a Vegan Diet

While some plant-based foods contain small amounts of Vitamin D3, adding a vegan-friendly supplement to your diet is a smart way to make sure you’re getting enough of this vital nutrient to keep your bones healthy and strong.

Vitamin D3 supplements made without the inclusion of any animal products can be hard to find, but there are a few high-quality plant-based supplements out there that are perfect for people who don’t want to support companies that use animal ingredients in their products.

No matter your budget, preferences, or consumption needs, there is a vegan-friendly Vitamin D3 that will work perfectly with your lifestyle, without the need to include any meat, dairy, or egg products.

2 thoughts on “Choosing the Best Vegan Vitamin D3 Supplement”

  1. Your daily d Amazon link directs to a dropper bottle.. thanks a lot, now I have a stupid dropper bottle that I did not want.

    Reply
    • Hi David. Sorry to hear that. They must have changed their formula recently, unbeknownst to us. I would contact Amazon and tell them that you didn’t want a dropper bottle. They are always great about returns. They may even give you a refund and let you keep the product!

      We’ll be sure to make the edits to our page to adjust for the recent changes in their product.

      Thanks.

      Reply

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