If there is one thing that we don't get enough of, it is sunshine. With 9-to-5 desk jobs, most people don't really have enough time to soak up much-needed vitamin D. But with the help of supplements, we can obtain our daily dose!
A lot of us know that vitamin D is helpful for keeping our bones strong, but did you know that it also plays a role in strengthening our immune system? We've put together a buying guide reviewed by physician Dr. Rainer Wandrew Po, to clue you in on its benefits as well as our top 10 picks to supply you with your own sunshine in a jar!
Quick List - Top Vitamin D Supplements
Dr. Rainer Po graduated doctor of medicine from the University of Santo Tomas. He then further pursued specialty training in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology in Makati Medical Center. He has participated in numerous special training programs both locally and abroad and is currently a board-certified fellow of the Philippine College of Physicians and a diplomate of the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
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Every mybest article is crafted with hours of in-depth research and interviews with experts. Each month, we are continually expanding our database of products based on our research. By emphasizing user insight and reliable information, we deliver trustworthy content to readers.
According to Dr. Rainer Wandrew Po, vitamin D supports our overall health and well-being as it plays a vital role in our bone health. It is primarily responsible for the dietary absorption or metabolism of calcium and phosphorus.
Having sufficient vitamin D ensures that we are able to maximize the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the food that we eat and drink.
If you have some specific health concerns or are unsure about your condition, it is best to consult with your medical provider for proper advice. Although vitamin D is generally safe, it may interfere or can be interfered with by food, other vitamins, supplements, and medicines that you take, and your existing condition, which may pose side effects in the long run.
Choosing the right vitamin D supplement is essential to ensure its effectiveness and safety. In this article, we will explore the factors to consider when selecting the best vitamin D supplement for your needs.
Dr. Rainer Wandrew Po states that considering that an adult male or female has no established deficiency and no comorbidities or illnesses, a dose of 800-1000iu a day is sufficient in maintaining normal levels of vitamin D. For people with vitamin D deficiency, a higher dose and medical surveillance are needed to replete those stores.
As a general rule, the higher is not always the better. Excessive intake poses harmful effects on calcium and phosphorus metabolism.
Maintenance and repletion doses are different, so it is important first to determine whether someone is vitamin D deficient. It is always best to be guided by your physician with vitamin D supplementation to ensure adequate repletion. Once vitamin D is repleted, your physician will then transition the dose back to recommended levels as above.
Please keep in mind that certain illnesses will complicate vitamin D metabolism. As such, the recommendation to consult with your primary care physician holds especially true for these people.
There are different delivery methods of vitamin D, including tablets, softgel caps, and liquid formulations as well. According to Dr. Po, studies have shown that as long as the dose is the same, the absorption is similar for all delivery methods.
However, for the elderly or those who have difficulty swallowing, liquid or softgel capsules may provide an easier delivery method. At the end of the day, the choice of whether to get liquids, tablets, or pills will all boil down to your needs and preference.
With the influx of counterfeit medical products, it is important to source products from trusted manufacturers and stores. It is highly recommended to buy in well-known pharmacies and reputable health stores to ensure that they have proper documentation, the products are authentic, and are stored properly.
Also, prioritize supplements that are FDA-registered. Additionally, you can check for USP and CDC certifications, as well as information about third-party testing.
It is always in our best interest to procure medications from reputable sources. Quality assurance is important when it comes to supplemental, more so medical use of vitamin D formulations.
There are vitamin D supplements that contain other ingredients, such as calcium and magnesium. These offer convenience as they decrease pill burden, making it easier for users to take. However, Dr. Po maintains that certain illnesses play on calcium metabolism and require specific targeted repletion, so the best thing to do is consult with your doctor for individualized management.
The question of should is rather difficult. The endpoint we want to reach comes to mind. Again since vitamin D plays a key role in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, some formulations geared toward treating low calcium involve coformulations of vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium. Likewise, most multivitamins have some dose of vitamin D already included.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vitamin D Type | Dosage | Intake Form | Certifications | Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | |||||
1 | Forti - D 800 IU Capsule | ![]() | Supporting Bone Health with Easy Absorption | D3 | 800 IU | Softgel capsule | FDA Registered | None | |
2 | IFern D 60 Softgel Capsule 1000 IU | ![]() | Essential Immune Support with High-Potency Vitamin D | D3 | 1000 IU | Softgel capsule | FDA Registered, Halal Certified | None | |
3 | Unilab Forti-D 800 IU | ![]() | Promoting Stronger Bones with Daily Vitamin D Support | D3 | 800 IU | Tablet | FDA Registered | None | |
4 | Webber Naturals The Sunshine Vitamin D3 1000 IU | ![]() | Supporting Immune Health and Strong Bones Daily | D3 | 1000 IU | Tablet | unknown | None | |
5 | Ddrops Adults 1000 IU Liquid Vitamin D3 | ![]() | Pure Vitamin D3 Drops for Easy Daily Supplementation | D3 | 1000 IU | Liquid drop | Non-GMO Project Verified, NSF Certified, Mom’s Choice Gold Award Recipient, Parent Tested Parent Approved | None | |
6 | LAC Vitamin D3 1000 IU | ![]() | Promoting Strong Immunity and Bone Health Naturally | D3 | 1000 IU | Softgel | FDA Registered | None | |
7 | Ozmolts Vitamin D3 + K2 Supplement | ![]() | Promoting Bone Strength and Immune Support Together | D3 | 5000 IU | Chewable tablet | unknown | Vitamin K2 (MK-7) | |
8 | Watsons Vitamin D3 1 Softgel Capsule | ![]() | Balanced Calcium Support for Bone and Heart Health | D3 | 1000 IU | Tablets, softgels, or capsules | FDA Registered,GMP Certified | Vitamin K2 (MK-7) | |
9 | Carlson Vitamin D3 Gummy 1000 IU | ![]() | Delicious Vitamin D Support for Growing Kids | D3 | 1000 IU | Vegetarian gummy | FDA Registered facility, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free | None | |
10 | Vitamin D3 25 mcg 1,000 IU | ![]() | Supporting Bone and Heart Health with Vitamin D3 and K2 Synergy | D3 | 1000 IU | Softgel | FDA Registered, GMP Certified | Vitamin K2 (MK-7) |
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 800 IU |
Intake Form | Softgel capsule |
Certifications | FDA Registered |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | None |
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 1000 IU |
Intake Form | Softgel capsule |
Certifications | FDA Registered, Halal Certified |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | None |
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 800 IU |
Intake Form | Tablet |
Certifications | FDA Registered |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | None |
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 1000 IU |
Intake Form | Tablet |
Certifications | unknown |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | None |
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 1000 IU |
Intake Form | Liquid drop |
Certifications | Non-GMO Project Verified, NSF Certified, Mom’s Choice Gold Award Recipient, Parent Tested Parent Approved |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | None |
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 1000 IU |
Intake Form | Softgel |
Certifications | FDA Registered |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | None |
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 5000 IU |
Intake Form | Chewable tablet |
Certifications | unknown |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | Vitamin K2 (MK-7) |
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 1000 IU |
Intake Form | Tablets, softgels, or capsules |
Certifications | FDA Registered,GMP Certified |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | Vitamin K2 (MK-7) |
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 1000 IU |
Intake Form | Vegetarian gummy |
Certifications | FDA Registered facility, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | None |
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 1000 IU |
Intake Form | Softgel |
Certifications | FDA Registered, GMP Certified |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | Vitamin K2 (MK-7) |
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by Dr. Rainer Wandrew Po.
There are multiple signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, but most if not all are nonspecific and overlap with multiple other illnesses which makes it difficult to narrow down vitamin D as a primary cause of problems.
General sickliness, dry skin, hair loss, bone and joint pain, and even immunity problems are linked to vitamin D deficiency. The most effective way to determine vitamin D deficiency is through laboratory testing.
There are no hard contraindications with vitamin D, but certain medications affect its metabolism or the end effects. Certain medications used in the treatment of hypertension may increase calcium. Best to consult with your doctor regarding possible interaction in medications.
Vitamin D is just one of the nutrients our body needs to stay healthy. Here are other dietary supplements to complement its function so your body gets the optimum nutrition it needs!
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Forti - D| 800 IU Capsule
No. 2: IFern |D 60 Softgel Capsule 1000 IU
No. 3: Unilab| Forti-D 800 IU
No. 4: Webber Naturals|The Sunshine Vitamin D3 1000 IU
No. 5: Ddrops|Adults 1000 IU Liquid Vitamin D3
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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