The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?

8 best vitamin D supplements to help boost your health and immunity

Top up on the ‘sunshine vitamin’ this winter and beyond

Emily Goddard
Thursday 26 September 2024 11:22 BST
We all need vitamin D, even more so in the winter months
We all need vitamin D, even more so in the winter months (The Independent)
Our Top Picks

Exercising regularly and eating a healthy balanced diet are essential for keeping your body well and maintaining optimal health. However, there’s one vitamin that (despite eating healthily) you simply have to supplement in autumn and winter: vitamin D. Due to shorter days and lack of sun exposure, experts say we can all benefit from taking vitamin D in the colder, darker months.

Dr Sam Oliver, an expert in sport and exercise science at Bangor University, says that “from October through to March due to insufficient sunlight, a low-dose daily oral vitamin D3 supplement might be needed to maintain vitamin D sufficiency”.

The sunshine vitamin, so-called because we get most of our daily recommended allowance from the sun’s rays, is essential for maintaining musculoskeletal health by supporting our bones, teeth and muscles. Research has also linked it to boosting the immune system, and Dr Oliver and his colleagues made another significant discovery last year.

“More recently, a greater understanding of vitamin D’s role within the immune system means that maintaining vitamin D sufficiency may also be important to prevent and cope with respiratory infections,” he explains. “For example, our recent research indicates winter vitamin D supplementation reduces the duration and severity of the common cold.”

How we tested

When it comes to vitamin D, we know it’s good for us and how it can help to support good health. However, there are a lot of options to choose from when you’re trying to select the right supplement for you and your family. We turned to experts to help demystify the process and tested each of the best options for ourselves too.

We tried a range of supplements with several methods of consumption, noting how easy they were to take, and considering a number of different strengths. It is possible to take too much vitamin D, which can have adverse effects, so do speak with your healthcare provider to find out which dose is right for you before beginning any new supplement protocol.

The best vitamin D supplements for 2024 are:

  • Best overall – Nutrition Geeks vitamin D3 1,000IU: £6.99, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best budget buy – Myvitamins vitamin D3 softgels, 1,000IU: £2.32, Myprotein.com
  • Best for vegans – Nature’s Own vegan D3 2,500IU: £10.24, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best easy to swallow supplement – Myvitamins vitamin D3 softgels, 1,000IU: £1.87, Myprotein.com
  • Best for children – Boots vitamin D, 30 gummies: £4.08, Boots.com

Nutrition Geeks vitamin D3 1,000IU

Nutrition Geeks vitamin D3 1,000IU  indybest.jpg
  • Best: Overall supplement
  • Size: 180 tablets
  • Strength: 1000IU
  • Why we love it
    • Letterbox-friendly
    • No nasty aftertaste

They say good things come in small packages, and this supplement proves that. Inside this compact, letterbox-friendly foil bag – which uses less plastic than conventional pill bottles – are 180 tiny tablets measuring 6mm, each delivering a high-quality 1,000IU vitamin D hit.

They are incredibly easy to swallow and leave no aftertaste, so they are perfect for anyone who struggles to take pills. Perhaps best of all, though, is the price: this bag will easily get you through autumn and winter.

Back to top

Myvitamins vitamin D3 softgels, 1,000IU

best vitamin d supplements Myvitamins vitamin D3 softgels, 1,000IU
  • Best: Budget buy
  • Size: 180 tablets
  • Strength: 62.5mcg
  • Why we love it
    • Vegan
    • Excellent value for money
    • Easy to take
    • No unpleasant aftertaste
  • Take note
    • Best taken with food

Gel-capsule supplements tend to be among the easiest to swallow but they often contain gelatine, meaning they are not suitable for vegans. However, that isn’t the case with these Myvitamins vitamin D3 softgels. Each high-strength supplement is easy to swallow and made using lichen algae, helping you to get your daily vitamin D needs while on a plant-based diet.

The one-a-day dosage means a 180-capsule bottle provides almost six months’ worth of vitamin D, making these supplements super affordable and excellent value for money. We also like that the pot is made from recycled materials so it’s fully recyclable again when it’s empty.

Back to top

Myvitamins vitamin D gummies, 1,000IU

best vitamin d supplements Myvitamins vitamin D gummies, 1,000IU
  • Best: Gummies
  • Size: 60 gummies
  • Strength: 25mcg
  • Why we love it
    • Easy way to take supplements
    • Delicious orange flavour
  • Take note
    • Contains sugar

Each one-a-day gummy delivers 500 per cent of your recommended daily dose of the sunshine vitamin whatever the weather. Gummies are a delicious way to take supplements, and we think it could help make the habit of taking them regularly easier to form because you’re likely to look forward to their yummy taste – just like our tester did.

Other pros of the Myvitamins vitamin D gummies are that they are suitable for vegetarians and the packaging is recyclable. However, like many gummy supplements, they do contain sugar, which is something to be aware of if you’re avoiding sugar.

Back to top

Nature’s Own vegan D3 2,500IU

Nature’s Own vegan D3 2,500iu  indybest.jpg
  • Best: For vegans
  • Size: 60 tablets
  • Strength: 2,500IU
  • Why we love it
    • Vegan friendly

Many supplements contain milk, come in gelatine capsules or have been tested on animals, so we wanted to include something that is suitable for vegans. The Nature’s Own vitamin D3 is cruelty-free and takes the nutrient from lichen extract.

Our tester found the one-a-day tablets easy to swallow and liked that they are free from GMO, gluten and yeast. There are 60 pills in each bottle, giving you a two-month supply.

Back to top

The Nue Co Vitamin D

best vitamin d supplement The Nue Co vitamin D
  • Best: High-potency supplement
  • Size: 15ml
  • Strength: 3,000IU
  • Why we love it
    • Ideal for high doses of vitamin D
    • Easy use spray
  • Take note
    • May need to speak to a doctor before use

People with certain conditions, for example, multiple sclerosis, may need to take significantly higher than usual doses of vitamin D all year round. This supplement is ideal for those people. It contains 3,000IU of vitamin D3 that is delivered daily with three sprays under the tongue at any time of day – a bottle contains 35 servings.

Our tester found it easy to use and store and liked that a subscription service is available, so you never run out and save £3 each month. We would recommend speaking with your GP before starting this supplement though, because of its high potency.

For those who prefer not to swallow tablets, this easy spray bottle makes for a great delivery method and the flavour isn’t unpleasant either.

Back to top

Boots vitamin D, 30 gummies

Boots kids bone health vitamin D indybest.jpg
  • Best: For children
  • Size: 30 gummies
  • Strength: 10mcg
  • Why we love it
    • Kid-friendly gummies

The NHS recommends that all children under five years of age take a daily vitamin D supplement throughout the year. But getting your child to take capsules is another matter entirely. That is unless you can give it to them in sweet form – these gummies will undoubtedly do the trick.

One of these chewy orange-flavoured bears a day provides little ones with the recommended 10 micrograms of vitamin D, plus they’ll look forward to taking them – our young tester tells us that they are yummy.

  1.  £4 from Boots.com
Prices may vary
Back to top

Dr Vegan vitamin D3 2,500IU, 30 capsules

Dr Vegan vitamin D3 2,500IU indybest.jpg
  • Best: Sustainable supplement
  • Size: 30 capsules
  • Strength: 2,500IU
  • Why we love it
    • Plant-based
    • Great for sustainability
  • Take note
    • Dosage could be too high for some

Taking a daily supplement can generate a lot of plastic waste over the years, but Dr Vegan has a solution to help limit your impact on the planet. These plant-based vitamins come in plastic-free, compostable packaging and can be stored in your special refillable Dr Vegan pill tin to keep them fresh.

The daily supplement itself is vegan, easy to swallow, halal, and gluten, dairy and lactose-free, making them suitable for pretty much everyone.

This is a high-dose vitamin D, with 2,500IU per pill, so please check with your clinician that it is suitable for you. It is already a reasonable option, but there is an offer that means you can buy three packets and only pay for two, while a subscription service saves you 15 per cent.

  1.  £8 from Drvegan.com
Prices may vary
Back to top

Heliocare 360° D-Plus Capsules

Heliocare 360° D-Plus Capsules
  • Best: Sun care and dosage
  • Size: 30 capsules
  • Strength: 360mg
  • Why we love it
    • Provides added sun protection
    • Added niacinamide and Vitamin C

Infused with 360mg of fernblock, the Heliocare capsules provide your daily dose of vitamin D while also protecting the skin against the full spectrum of daylight, including UVA, UVB, visible light and infrared-A. If you happen to see the sun or if you’re on holiday, it can be tempting to try and get as much sun exposure as possible – this obviously puts your skin at risk if it’s not properly protected.

Ideal for daily use alongside your favourite sunscreen, these supplements are suitable for all skin types, offering an additional antioxidant boost to ensure your skin stays protected and healthy while topping up your vitamin D levels safely.

Back to top

Vitamin D FAQs

Why is vitamin D important?

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone problems, such as rickets in children and bone pain and muscle weakness in adults, which may increase the risks of falls and fractures in the elderly, as well as increased susceptibility to infection.

What foods are rich in vitamin D?

Food such as oily fish, red meat, egg yolks, mushrooms and fortified foods like breakfast cereals are high in vitamin D.

When do I need to supplement my diet?

Given the insufficient sunlight, it’s best to do so from October through to March. In the UK, from April through to September most people can obtain the vitamin D they need from skin (endogenous) synthesis via short daily exposures to sunlight, i.e., about 15 minutes of midday sun exposure in shorts and a T-shirt.

How much should I take?

A daily oral 10 micrograms (400IU) vitamin D3 supplement during autumn and winter.

Are there any contraindications to be aware of?

Vitamin D toxicity is possible with high doses (more than 4,000IU per day) of oral supplementation.

Are there other vitamins that can be taken with vitamin D to support absorption?

We’ve heard in conversation sometimes that orange juice (vitamin C) might be helpful; however, the only randomised controlled trial we’re aware of showed no difference between vitamin D bioavailability when consumed with orange juice compared to capsules.

The verdict: Vitamin D supplements

Convenience, quality and value for money make the Nutrition Geeks vitamin D3 1,000IU our best buy. They are extremely easy to take, generate less plastic waste than conventional pill bottles and carry a price tag that is accessible for most people. The Dr Vegan vitamin D3 is also great for its eco-friendly credentials, however, if you struggle to swallow tablets, the Myprotein gummies might be your best bet, especially during the winter months.

Read more: Best magnesium supplements, as recommended by experts

Voucher Codes

TUI Discount Code
TUI Discount Code
£50 per booking off selected package holidays using your unique TUI voucher code
ASOS Discount Code
ASOS Discount Code
10% off first orders £20+ using this ASOS promo code
Travelodge Discount Code
Travelodge Discount Code
Save 5% on bookings - Travelodge voucher code
Cult Beauty Discount Code
Cult Beauty Discount Code
Get 15% off + Extra 5% on select products with this Cult Beauty voucher code
The Body Shop Discount Code
The Body Shop Discount Code
Save 20% on orders with The Body Shop discount code
The Perfume Shop Discount Code
The Perfume Shop Discount Code
Save 15% on everything with birthday orders at The Perfume Shop - Member exclusive

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in