Vitamin D deficiency, identifiable by fatigue, bone aches, hair loss, depression, and more, is common for both vegans and non-vegans. Vegans can get vitamin D from sunlight, as can non-vegans, although the latter also get it from oily fish, red meat, and egg yolk. Because vitamin D from sunlight is typically not enough, vegans need to use vegan vitamin D supplements to make sure they’re covered.
Best vegan vitamin D picks
As with other vitamins and supplements, many vitamin D supplements are not actually vegan. Almost all brands are produced with lanolin (a by-product from the wool industry).
However, more recently, companies have been able to start producing quality, potent vitamin D supplements from lichen. Therefore, there are now a number of different vegan vitamin D supplements on the market.
We’re going to take a look at some of these vitamin D supplements right here.
Taking a more detailed look at these Vegan Vitamin D Supplements
This is one of the top brands out there for vitamin D. All products are fully vegan and are third-party tested. The D3 found in this supplement is derived from lichen, and naturally occurs in nature. It has a high D3 concentration and contains 2500 IU per serving. It’s more potent than other brands which means if you’re struggling to maintain high vitamin D levels, this could be the one for you. The capsules are made from vegetable cellulose too. It’s not the cheapest option out there, but it’s very effective.
This vitamin D supplement is made from wild lichen. It uses cholecalciferol which is the active form of D3 and this means that it has enhanced bioavailability. Each capsule contains 2500 IU D3, so you don’t even need to take it every day. The bottle comes with 180 capsules, which makes it long-lasting as well. Finally, the capsules are made in the US, reducing your carbon footprint. But, the capsules are large, and some people find them hard to swallow.
This reputable brand is certified organic in the US, doesn’t contain GMOs and is made up of whole food blends. The D3 contained in the spray supplement is made from lichen. In addition to this, the supplement has omega-rich oils from pumpkin seed oil and cranberry seed oil. As such it combines Omega 3, 6, 7, and 9. The spray contains 1000 IU of D3 which is on the lower side, but the spray format makes it easy to take your daily dose. It contains 125 sprays but is not the most affordable option out there.
This is a great alternative vegan vitamin D supplement if you want an easy way to take this supplement. As it is in gummy form, it’s far easier to swallow. It has lichen-derived D3 and uses other organic ingredients such as cane sugar, and tapioca syrup to give a bit of sweetness to the gummy. There are 60 servings here giving you two months’ worth of supplements. Even though it’s sweet, it is low-sugar. However, there are still some ingredients that aren’t as healthy as those found in other supplements.
This very affordable vegan vitamin D supplement has a high dose of vitamin D3. There is a whopping 5000 IU for each capsule. It’s a best seller online and for good reason. The D3 here is sourced from sustainable lichen, which offers a very high bioavailability when it comes to consuming vitamin D. Better still, even though it is in capsule form, they’re small and easy to swallow. However, be aware that some users have found this capsule left them bloated after taking it.
This is an all-natural vegan vitamin D supplement. These tablets aren’t coated in anything, so you can dissolve them in liquid to take them. They’re USDA organic and contain 2000 IU of vitamin D in each tablet. There’s a 30-day supply in each bottle. However, while the coating is good for some, it has been known to make it harder to swallow for others.
This affordable vegan vitamin D supplement has a 60-day supply for just $10. As such, it’s one of the best budget options out there today. It comes with 2500 IU of D3 per tablet. If you want a bigger boost, there is another option with 5000 IU per capsule but typically, this is not necessary. The capsules are coated to make them easy to swallow. But, be aware that these capsules do contain preservatives. Nevertheless, for vegans on a budget, this is a great option.
If you want to give your child a vitamin D boost, then this could be the option for you. It’s USDA organic and non-GMO. The supplement comes in an easy gummy form and is blended with whole fruits to give it a sweetness without being unhealthily loaded with sugars. The pectin, to get that gummy texture, comes from apples and orange peel. The gummies are available in fruit or cherry flavor. Each gummy has 800 IU of D3 and it’s recommended that children over the age of four take four gummies per day – with adult supervision of course.
This brand is very transparent in all that it does and has a strong reputation. Its vitamin D tablets each have 2000 IU of vitamin D which puts it in the more potent category of these supplements. This supplement comes in the form of a tablet and it’s made of tapioca maltodextrin. The D3 all comes from lichen as well as tapioca starch from cassava root which is rich in natural dietary fiber. It’s not cheap though.
This supplement is very affordable. It contains vitamin D that’s derived from lichen. It’s really top-quality with a range of ingredients that are all sustainably sourced. Furthermore, it contains 1000 IU D3 which isn’t the highest out there, but it’s still effective. The capsules are made of soft gel, so they’re very easy to swallow. However, it is only available in Europe.
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that has three different compounds — D1, D2, and D3. When there’s enough sunlight, vitamin D is actually produced by our bodies. It’s also possible to get vitamin D from a number of different foods.
We need an adequate level of it in our blood in order to remain healthy. This is because it has a number of different functions. These include regulating the absorption of phosphorus and calcium. This helps to facilitate a properly working immune system.
It’s also important to get enough vitamin D when it comes to growth and teeth and bone development.
Are there different types of vitamin D?
Yes, there are actually two main types of vitamin D. These are D3(cholecalciferol) and D2(ergocalciferol). Generally, Vitamin D3 is more effective, so that’s the better form to take. Both of these can be absorbed through the small intestine and can be found in vitamin D supplements. The presence of fat in the gut helps the absorption of vitamin D, but it will still be absorbed even in the absence of dietary fat.
How much vitamin D3 should a vegan take daily?
Generally, the recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is 600 to 800 IU per day. However, when it comes to vegans, it’s recommended to go with the higher level of 800 IU. Most vitamin D supplements have 1000 IU per capsule, so this amply meets this requirement.
If you’re really deficient and struggling to get vitamin D in your diet, then it’s recommended that some vegans actually take a supplement of up to 2000 IU per day. Some supplements offer as much as 4000 IU per capsule as well. Taking this higher dose will ensure your body is running properly.
How do I know I have a Vitamin D deficiency?
There are many symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. Some of the most common include muscle weakness and aches, weight gain, regular infections, fatigue, and depression, among other things.
However, the problem is that many people do not necessarily realize that these symptoms could be linked to vitamin D deficiency. As these symptoms are often subtle, you need to get tested for your vitamin D levels to make sure.
What is the most common cause of Vitamin D deficiency?
The most common reason for having a vitamin D deficiency is the simple fact that there’s not enough vitamin D in your diet. There are a number of Vitamin D-rich foods that you can add to your diet in order to boost it and reduce the need to take a supplement.
A lack of vitamin D in the diet is a common issue with vegan diets as most natural sources of vitamin D are from meat or animal-based sources. This can include egg yolk, oily fish, liver, and fortified milk.
Other reasons you may have a vitamin D deficiency include the fact that your body is not absorbing enough vitamin D from the food that you are eating. This means that you have a malabsorption problem.
You can also have a deficiency if you do not get exposed to enough sunlight. This is typically a problem in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter months. Finally, it could be that your liver and kidneys simply can’t convert vitamin D into its active form in your body.
What is the best vitamin D to take for vegans?
Without a doubt, the best vitamin D for vegans to take is Vitamin D3. This form is vastly more effective than Vitamin D2 (which can be found in mushrooms). Impressively, D3 can be as much as twice as effective when compared to D2.
That being said, if you can only find D2, this is still better than nothing. But, with so many vegan D3 options out there these days, this is by far the better option.
Is taking vegan vitamin D effective?
Absolutely! Actually, there is no difference between vegan and animal vitamin D. In the past, there was no D3 vegan alternative, which meant vegans had to take D2 instead. Now, there are many D3 supplements made from lichen. This is made of cholecalciferol just like animal-based D3. As such, it has the same efficacy and is well worth using if you think you have a deficiency.
How long after starting vitamin D will I feel the benefits?
If you start taking vegan vitamin D supplements you will start to notice the effects after four to six weeks. You will need to be consistent with taking them. The timeframe will vary depending on what your starting vitamin D levels are.
How did we choose these products?
When looking at all these products, we made sure to pick only those from high-quality brands. We also listed only those brands that offer the more potent and effective D3 supplement. To ensure we met the needs of a range of different vegans, we have listed various D3 strengths from 1000 IU to 4000 IU.
You will also find that the D3 supplements come in a range of different forms such as chews and capsules. This is to meet the needs of not only adults but children as well.
Finally, all the brands listed here use high-quality ingredients that are all sustainable. They’re also vegan and environmentally friendly.
What time is it best to take vitamin D?
There is no best time to take vitamin D. It can be taken at any time of the day. Some people do recommend avoiding taking vitamin D just before bed as it could cause insomnia. However, there is no research to back this up.
What blocks vitamin D absorption?
Vitamin D is fat-soluble. This means that absorption really depends on the ability of your gut to absorb dietary fat. There are some medical conditions such as liver disease, celiac or Crohn’s that can impact this absorption. As such, if there is malabsorption you will find that you might be vitamin D deficient.
Some other drugs can also block vitamin D absorption including anticonvulsants. Therefore, it’s important to check whether you are taking medication that could impact your vitamin D absorption.
Summary
While you can get vitamin D from food and sunlight (our bodies can make it), there are times when we don’t get enough via either method. For vegans, food-based vitamin D sources are limited given that most sources are meat or animal-based. Sunlight is scarcer in the winter months resulting in reduced production of vitamin D too. And this is why vitamin D supplements are useful.
Luckily, there are many vegan vitamin D supplements available. They are made from lichen and are available as capsules or gummies in various strengths from 1000 IU up to 4000 IU. Take a look at our list of top vegan vitamin D supplements and get your vitamin D levels boosted and back on track.