Medically Reviewed by Mehetarin Sharmin
✔
Clinical Nutritionist & Public Health Specialist
Mehetarin Sharmin has over 17 years of experience in clinical nutrition, disease management, maternal and child health, and lifestyle guidance. She reviews all health and nutrition content to ensure accuracy, safety, and adherence to clinical guidelines, providing trusted and reliable advice.
Have you ever seen anyone with misaligned, deformed or weak bones? Chances are that they have inadequate Vitamin D.
People with muscle weakness and pain in their bones need this essential nutrient. Vitamin D is an organic compound made from food or sunlight. It promotes calcium and phosphate production, which are essential for bone growth. Other benefits of the disease include:
- Lower susceptibility to flu
- Promotes a healthy pregnancy
- Prevents type 2 diabetes
- Helps with hypertension and cardiovascular illness
- Minimizes arthritis risk
- Reduces cancer risk
- Protects children from allergic diseases
- Improves muscle strength
While the body is capable of making its own Vitamin D, some factors can prevent it from doing so.
Older adults lose the ability to make the nutrient. Many experience hip fractures because of this. Additionally, people who are homebound or those who cover themselves from sunlight are susceptible to vitamin D deficiency.
Dark-skinned people with little sun exposure may get osteoporosis. People with inflammatory bowel disease and obesity lack the capacity to synthesize the nutrient.
Studies show that Vitamin D supplements increase muscle strength in the elderly. The U.S. Institute of Medicine recommends 400 International Units (IU) for infants. Adults need to take 600 international IU. If you fall in the above risk groups, consider supplementing your diet with these brands:
The Best Vitamin D Supplements
#5 New Chapter Postnatal Vitamins
What you will like
The product is ideal for postnatal mothers who need Vitamin D-rich breast milk. The product helps in increasing milk supply.
It also elevates mothers’ moods and reduces fatigue or stress. The manufacturer promises that it is gentle on the stomach.
Therefore, mothers will not experience gassiness. It contains other minerals like Iron, Vitamin C, and magnesium.
What you will not like
The product has soy which may cause allergies for some children. There have been mixed reviews about milk supply. Some people experience decreased milk supply and mood alterations. The supplement is pricier than its competitors.
Rating: 8.3/10
4# Garden of Life Vitamin D3
What you will like
The product has no soy, which is good for people who have allergies to the ingredient. Some clients affirm that they are helpful in fighting heart palpitations.
The supplement is also a certified organic product.
What you will not like
The product has mixed reviews concerning its taste. Some affirm that it has an unpleasant flavor while others like the lemon and raspberry essence used. Others have problems with the extra ingredients like sunflower lecithin and palm oil. It is also slightly large and hard to swallow for some users.
Rating: 8.6/10
#3 Caltrate 600+D3 (200 Count) Calcium and Vitamin D Supplement Tablet
What you will like
The product helps with bone problems because it combines calcium with Vitamin D. Customers testify that they have back pain, joint pains, and more bone mass (from x-rays). The pill dosage is tolerable because one only has to take it once a day.
What you will not like
The product is relatively large and may be difficult to swallow. It comes in tablet form rather than capsule form, which may slow down the absorption of the product. It may cause contraindications like swelling feet.
Rating: 8.9/10
#2 Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3-25 mcg (1000 IU)
What you will like
The product does not have artificial colors or flavors. It has a positive effect on users’ mood. It is a relatively small supplement that has no offensive odors.
The product is helpful in reducing joint pain. The brand has ethical marketing practices.
What you will not like
Some quality control issues have been reported by clients on product tampering. The effect of the product on mood may be confounded by other positive lifestyle choices by clients.
Rating: 9.5/10
#1 NatureWise Vitamin D3 5,000 IU
What you will like
The product is made from certified organic ingredients. It strengthens muscles and bones and elevates your mood.
It also helps with blood pressure and inflammation issues. Some customers enjoy the energy boost that comes with it. Since the pill is relatively small, it is easy to ingest. The product gives value for money since many pills are packed in the bottle.
I may also note that this supplement is useful to post-menopausal women who have autoimmune conditions.
What you will not like
Hardly anything. The product has numerous positive reviews and plenty of testimonials. For this reason, it gets a full 10/10 rating.
Rating: 10/10
What to Consider When Buying
Size
Some soft gels are easy to ingest because they are small in size. Those that are large may be fine if they are chewable.
Ingredient list
Certain products have soy which could cause allergic reactions. Others may have additional ingredients that are not natural or have an unpleasant odor. If you are sensitive to the smell of medicine then avoid these.
Price
On average, most vitamin D supplements are less than $20. However, one or 2 maybe 3 times as costly with little difference in value delivered.
Dosage concentration
Certain pills have only a small amount of the recommended Vitamin D3 supplements. This may prompt you to use them too frequently or to buy many of them.
Conversely, certain vitamins have an excess concentration of the active ingredient and could cause side effects from overconcentration.
Counter indications
Some Vitamin D supplements promise one thing and deliver the exact opposite. A case in point is diminished milk supply for mothers. Avoid such brands if you might be affected by the side effect.
