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
Forti-D
Get Your Dose of Nutrition Even If You Have Limited Sun Exposure
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.
A Vitamin D Supplement That's Suitable for Teens, Adults, Pregnant Women, and Senior Individuals
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 Colecalciferol (Vitamin D3) | ![]() | Get Your Dose of Nutrition Even If You Have Limited Sun Exposure | D3 | 800 IU | Soft Gelatin Capsule | FDA-Approved | None | |
2 | Pharex D-Vit 800 Pharex|20s | ![]() | Comes in a Softgel Capsule, Making It Easier to Ingest | D3 | 800 IU | Soft Gelatin Capsule | FDA-Approved | None | |
3 | Pfizer Caltrate Plus | ![]() | A Good Choice for People Who Are Always On the Go | D3 | 200 IU | Tablet | FDA-Approved | Calcium, Copper, Magnesium, Manganese, Zinc | |
4 | i-Fern Fern-D | ![]() | A Supplement for Those Without Daily Sun Exposure | D3 | 1000 IU | Soft Gelatin Capsule | FDA-Approved | None | |
5 | Puritan's Pride Vitamin D3 | ![]() | A Supplement With Just Enough Amount of Vitamin D | D3 | 400 IU | Tablet | FDA-Registered | None | |
6 | Webber Naturals The Sunshine Vitamin D3 | ![]() | A Convenient Source of Vitamin D in Small-Sized Tablets | D3 | 1000 IU | Tablet | None | None | |
7 | Swanson Vitamin D3 High Potency | ![]() | A High Potency Vitamin D for Calcium Absorption | D3 | 1000 IU | Soft Gelatin Capsule | None | None | |
8 | Now Foods High Potency Vitamin D-3 | ![]() | Vitamin D in an Easy-to-Absorb Gel Form | D3 | 1000 IU | Soft Gelatin Capsule | USDA-Certified | None | |
9 | Cholecalciferol + Calcium Calvit Gold|Calcium | ![]() | A Vitamin D Supplement That's Suitable for Teens, Adults, Pregnant Women, and Senior Individuals | D3 | 400 IU | Tablet | FDA-Approved | Calcium | |
10 | Kirkland Signature Extra Strength D3 | ![]() | Maximum Potency to Boost Vitamin D Levels | D3 | 2000 IU | Soft Gelatin Capsule | USP-Verified | None |
Did you know that you cannot get sufficient vitamin D from sunlight alone? This is where a good vitamin D supplement like Forti-D comes in. As a fat-soluble vitamin, Vitamin D3 boasts its ability to help regulate our 36 vital organs, including the heart, lungs, and brain.
Among its many benefits, it helps the body efficiently absorb calcium to strengthen the bones against diseases such as rickets and osteoporosis. It also helps improve mood and sleep quality. Reviewers highly recommend it for bone health and note its effectiveness in promoting calcium absorption.
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 800 IU |
Intake Form | Soft Gelatin Capsule |
Certifications | FDA-Approved |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | None |
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 800 IU |
Intake Form | Soft Gelatin Capsule |
Certifications | FDA-Approved |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | None |
Caltrate Plus is an ideal supplement to address calcium and vitamin D deficiencies in individuals who may not get sufficient nutrients from their diet. These nutrients work synergistically to support bone and skeletal health, preventing osteoporosis. Additionally, it also contains other essential minerals to fortify muscle strength.
Note that the 600 mg of calcium advertised is equivalent to 1,499 mg of calcium carbonate. This means taking 2 tablets a day will supply you with 1,200 mg of calcium, enough for the average daily requirement of 750-3000 mg. Taking this with food and a full glass of water is ideal.
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 200 IU |
Intake Form | Tablet |
Certifications | FDA-Approved |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | Calcium, Copper, Magnesium, Manganese, Zinc |
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 1000 IU |
Intake Form | Soft Gelatin Capsule |
Certifications | FDA-Approved |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | None |
Some of you may find it difficult to catch some sun, especially if you have a small living space, live in condos, or work from home all the time. If you’ve been feeling sluggish lately, then try this Sunvite supplement from Puritan’s Pride!
It contains 400 IU of vitamin D3, enough to support your health without going overboard, and is perfect for your daily intake. This way, you’ll still be able to boost your immune system while staying at home. You’ll also be happy to know that their tablets do not contain any preservatives, sugars, or sweeteners!
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 400 IU |
Intake Form | Tablet |
Certifications | FDA-Registered |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | None |
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 1000 IU |
Intake Form | Tablet |
Certifications | None |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | None |
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 1000 IU |
Intake Form | Soft Gelatin Capsule |
Certifications | None |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | None |
One of the nutrients we don’t get enough of is vitamin D. This can happen since a lot of us are staying indoors. If you’ve been feeling down lately, perhaps you’re in need of a little vitamin D, especially if you can’t step out of the house. Now Foods can supply your body with the vitamin D it needs!
Aside from keeping your bones healthy, vitamin D is also helpful for protecting against heart disease and stroke, as well as diabetes. It comes in a liquid softgel form, which makes it easier for your body to absorb. However keep in mind to store it in a cool, dry place to avoid them from sticking together!
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 1000 IU |
Intake Form | Soft Gelatin Capsule |
Certifications | USDA-Certified |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | None |
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 400 IU |
Intake Form | Tablet |
Certifications | FDA-Approved |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | Calcium |
Kirkland contains extra-strength vitamin D at 2000 IU, which is the highest amount allotted for adults for maximum potency. This is ideal if you have not been able to get much sun or eat a well-balanced diet.
This is excellent for boosting your body’s vitamin D levels to reinforce your immune system, especially at a time when we need to be extra careful about staying healthy. It is great if you want to ward off common colds and other respiratory ailments. But keep in mind that it is not a magic cure; always take proper precautions!
Vitamin D Type | D3 |
---|---|
Dosage | 2000 IU |
Intake Form | Soft Gelatin Capsule |
Certifications | USP-Verified |
Other Vitamin or Mineral Inclusions | None |
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 |Colecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
No. 2: Pharex D-Vit 800 |Pharex|20s
No. 3: Pfizer|Caltrate Plus
No. 4: i-Fern|Fern-D
No. 5: Puritan's Pride|Vitamin D3
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