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Your Guide To The Top 3 D3 Supplements Of 2024

Updated 03/26/2024

What is Vitamin D3 + How to Choose the Best

Though it's known as the sunshine vitamin, traditional sun exposure rarely provides an adequate amount of Vitamin D.

In fact, nearly 40% of the U.S. population is deficient in Vitamin D.

So why is Vitamin D so important, anyway?

Here at Consumer Surveys, we're going to take a look at what Vitamin D is, what makes D3 different, and who might benefit from a D3 supplement. We've tested dozens of Vitamin D3 supplements, and identified the top 3 that are available on the market today. 


What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be stored in the body for long periods of time and can be consumed in two main dietary forms: D2 and D3.

D2, or ergocalciferol, is found primarily in plants, mushrooms, and yeasts. Whereas, D3, or cholecalciferol, is found primarily in animal products, like fatty fish or egg yolks.

However, when it comes to getting the most out of your Vitamin D, you'll want to opt for D3, as it is twice as effective at increasing blood levels than D2.

Vitamin D is a vital nutrient because it helps your:

body absorb calcium

nerves send messages to your brain and other important body parts

immune system fight off bacteria and viruses

muscles move and maintain vitality

Additionally, Vitamin D plays a critical role in bone strength, and helps protect older adults against osteoporosis.

In other words, if you have a Vitamin D deficiency, your body can't properly absorb calcium and you could develop soft, thin, and brittle bones, which can result in bone and joint pain, as well as muscle weakness.

Who could benefit from a D3 supplement?

People over the age of 50 

Studies have shown that this age group is at the highest risk for Vitamin D deficiency because their skin doesn't produce Vitamin D as efficiently as when they were younger -- even with regular sun exposure.

Those who suffer from Crohn's, Celiac, or other digestive disorders

Typically individuals with these types of disorders can't process fat properly, which is an essential element for proper Vitamin D absorption.

Individuals who are Obese or Overweight

For instance, those carrying around a little extra weight tend to have excess fat that binds to Vitamin D and actually prevents it from getting into the blood.

Anyone who lives in an area with less sunlight or spends most time indoors

Whether you live in a region with less sunlight or spend most of your day inside, it can be tough to get regular sun exposure. This is why most Vitamin D deficiencies occur in the winter.

(And of course, too much sun can cause a host of other problems, as well, so it's best to choose a high-quality supplement instead.)

If you believe you might be the kind of person who could benefit from taking a Vitamin D supplement, here are some Do's and Don'ts you should consider before making a purchase.

What to Look for when Choosing a D3 Supplement

When you start to look for a D3 supplement, it is very easy to be overwhelmed. Here are the top things you should look for:

Contains fat
As you know, Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, so when looking for a high-quality and effective supplement, it is vital to find one that includes a fatty oil to help with absorption. We recommend finding a supplement with a naturally healthy fatty oil, such as avocado, grapeseed, or olive oil.

Opt for well-known manufacturers
While lesser-known manufacturers may be just as good as their counterparts, you can’t always count on this. Opting for a manufacturer that you can trust is only using the highest-quality ingredients and is testing them for purity and potency.

Look for a softgel
Softgel supplements start to work immediately, unlike tablets that must be broken down before they can be digested.

Pay attention to the dosage
You’ll see supplements with as little as 200 IU of vitamin D3, which is ineffective. But it's not as simple as "more is better." For instance, taking too much synthetic, low-quality D3, can be dangerous to your health. Alternatively, 5,000 IU of cholecalciferol D3 is both safe and highly effective. 


*Important Note About K2:

Though Vitamin D is essential in helping your body absorb calcium, it's actually Vitamin K that helps guide that calcium to the crucial spots in your body. Additionally, Vitamin K also helps protect you from potential Vitamin D toxicity, making it a vital component to any Vitamin D supplement.

What To Avoid When Choosing a D3 Supplement:

  1. Synthetic Forms of D3 or D2

    Be wary of any supplement containing ergocalciferol or artificial or unnecessary ingredients or fillers. These are not only ineffective, they can cause uncomfortable and even dangerous side effects

  2. Very High Dosages

    While many nutrients, such as Vitamin C, are not harmful in large quantities, taking too much Vitamin D can cause health complications and unnecessary strain on your liver and other organs. 

  3. Unknown Manufacturers

    You should be able to clearly understand the label, and you should be able to independently verify any claims made by the company before you buy any supplements. 

The Results Are In...

With these guidelines in mind, we scoured the market for the best D3 supplement available today.

We tested 38 different D3 supplements, and were able to narrow them down to the top 3.

Top Picks are updated monthly based on testing and analyses:


Top Pick

5 stars

Consumers Survey
Recommended

  • Cholecalciferol D3 - potent, fat-soluble
  • 5000 IU - safe, high dosage 
  • Contains K2 for maximum absorption
  • 365-day money-
    back guarantee
  • Made in the USA


Call Live Conscious Toll Free:
(866) 949-7799

#1: K2 + D3 By Live Conscious

rating

We chose K2 + D3 by Live Conscious because it's the only D3 supplement that meets our strict criteria. 

Live Conscious uses Cholocalciferol D3, a fat-soluble vitamin that allows excess amounts to easily be washed out and also contains a potent amount of K2 to help prevent any adverse effects of overconsumption or toxicity. This means that their high dosage of 5000 IU is extremely safe, since your body will be able to absorb as much as it needs, and no more. 

We appreciate that Live Conscious' D3 also includes organic avocado and MCT oil to ensure effective absorption. 

Not only does Live Conscious offer a comprehensive 365-day return policy, the brand also promotes a whole-body approach to health that we really appreciate.

With all this in mind, we had to put Live Conscious' D3 supplement at the top of our list

 

Buy Now On Amazon > >

Rating

5 stars

Call Essential Elements Toll Free:
(888) 343-9888

#2: Vitamin D3 by Essential elements

Essential uses the optimal levels of 5,000 IU in their potent D3 formulation. In addition, they also include certified organic avocado to ensure maximum absorption.

Users reported that their softgels were very easy to swallow and didn't leave behind any sort of aftertaste.

We also appreciated their industry best, 365-day, money-back guarantee -- allowing users to try it for up to a year completely risk-free. 

With that in mind, we felt Essential Elements was a strong pick for #2

 

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Rating

5 stars

Call Viva Naturals
Toll Free:
(800) 921-8482

#3: Vitamin D3 by Viva Naturals

Viva Naturals has a longstanding reputation for producing high-quality vitamins and supplements and their Vitamin D3 is no different.

Unfortunately, because it comes in a smaller dose we couldn't give it any higher than 3rd place, though we still think it's a very smart choice.

Their inclusion of unrefined coconut oil is said to boost absorption, however, many users found that that altered the state of the softgel depending on the outside temperature.

That said, thanks to a comprehensive return policy, trying out a new supplement like those from Viva Naturals is a fairly risk-free decision.



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P.S. While Live Conscious has the best D3 supplement we've found, we would still love to hear about any others you've tried. If you have had a great experience of your own, please send me an email to Beverly@ConsumersSurvey.org with the details.

Sincerely,
Beverly Gratson,
Senior Health Editor

Back to Our #1 Choice

What We Do

ConsumersSurvey uses a unique three-step approach to reviewing the most popular products in the online marketplace

  • 1. Research First we conduct in-house research with a highly qualified editorial team comprised of individuals who specialize in various fields.

  • 2. SurveyWe survey our readers who have tried the product over time in order to learn from their experiences.

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