10 best vitamin D supplements

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Some of our readers, who managed to find the USSR, probably remember fish oil – a smelly, but extremely useful, as it was said, substance. In those days, it was the only safe source of vitamin D that could be offered to children to prevent hypovitaminosis. The only alternative then existing – an alcoholic solution of vitamin D – could cause overdose and poisoning, since in a long-standing bottle the alcohol gradually evaporated, changing the concentration of the active substance.

Since then, safer options have appeared: water and oil solutions, tablets, gelatin capsules, so there is no need to 'torture' children with fish oil anymore. Offering to your attention the rating of the best vitamin D preparations, we have tried to take into account all possible forms of release.

We remind you that from the point of view of the Russian Ministry of Health, any funds in capsules are contraindicated for children under 5 years old, since it may be difficult for a child to swallow them.

To drink or not to drink: when is vitamin D needed?

Speaking about vitamin D, first of all, they remember infants and rickets – a condition when the supply of calcium to the bones is disturbed due to a lack of the 'solar' vitamin. But according to modern data, vitamin D controls many processes in addition to mineral metabolism. It affects brain development and muscle growth, regulates immune responses, insulin production in the pancreas, normalizes cell growth and division, preventing the development of malignant neoplasms.

But this does not mean that everyone urgently needs to take vitamin D preparations.

There is only one group of people who need these funds for preventive purposes, regardless of the season and type of feeding: children.

The rest, before grabbing the pills, need to take a blood test for the content of the vitamin D metabolite: 25 (OH) D. A concentration of less than 30 ng / ml (from 50 to 75 nmol / l) means a deficiency of the vitamin in the blood, a concentration below 20 ng / ml (50 nmol / l) indicates a pronounced deficiency. These norms are the same for children and adults.

Risk factors for hypovitaminosis D:

1. vegetarianism: the main sources of vitamin D in food are fatty fish, butter, sour cream, cheese;
2. obesity: even with sufficient intake, vitamin D is deposited in adipose tissue;
3. bowel diseases that disrupt the normal digestion and absorption of nutrients: Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis;
4. taking drugs that disrupt absorption: glucocorticoids, antiretroviral drugs (used in the treatment of HIV and hepatitis), antifungal, anticonvulsant drugs;
5. liver failure 2 tbsp. and higher;
6. chronic kidney disease with impaired function;
7. some infectious diseases: sarcoidosis. tuberculosis, coccidioidomycosis, beryllium disease, histoplasmosis;
8. dark skin.

In addition, bone diseases (rickets, osteomalacia), hyperparathyroidism, and fractures in the elderly with minor exposures can become signals that indicate a possible vitamin D deficiency.

Taking vitamin D, it is imperative to take care of a sufficient intake of calcium with food or special preparations.

Rating of the best vitamin D preparations

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best vitamin D preparations for children	1	Aquadetrim	RUB 186
	2	Vigantol	RUB 185
	3	MegaFood, D3 Wellness, Mixed Fruit, 1000 IU, 90 Gummies	RUB 2,464
	4	BioGaia, ProTectis, Baby, With Vitamin D, Digestive Health, Probiotic Supplement, 0.34 fl oz (10 ml)	RUB 1,950
The best vitamin D supplements for adults	1	Minisan vitamin D 3 20mkg No. 100	360 RUB
	2	Vitamin D-Sun No. 60 Evalar	430 RUB
	3	Detrimax vitamin D3 1000 IU	490 RUB
	4	Ultra-D vitamin D3 25mkg (1000 IU) No. 60 chewable tablets	763 RUB
	5	Fish oil biachishenol Omega-3 D3 capsules	141 r
	6	Healthy Origins, Vitamin D3, 10,000 IU, 360 Softgels	RUB 1,330

The best vitamin D preparations for children

According to the RODNICHOK-1 study, which was carried out in 2013-2014, 66% of children in Russia have a deficiency in the body of vitamin D. The situation is best in Moscow and Yekaterinburg, worst of all in Vladivostok and Kazan.

Therefore, we can perhaps say that prophylactic doses of the vitamin are necessary for all, without exception, children under 18 years of age. According to the new national program for the correction of vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents (adopted in 2018), to prevent hypovitaminosis, children should receive vitamin D every day in the following dosages:

1. from birth to 12 months – 1000 IU per day;
2. from one to 3 years – 1500 IU per day;
3. 3 – 18 years old – 1000 IU per day.

For children living in the Far North, starting from 6 months, age-appropriate dosages are increased by 500 IU.

We remind you that 1 μg = 40 IU of cholecalciferol.

We draw the attention of our readers that the new recommended doses of vitamin D are several times higher than those that were written about earlier. Therefore, one should not be surprised when comparing the daily dosages in the instructions for use of the drugs presented in our rating and the above values. Whether to follow the latest ideas about the required amount of vitamin for a child or the instructions for the medicine is the choice of every parent. Our rating is just information for thought, not instructions for action.

We deliberately do not give the dosages recommended for the treatment of hypovitaminosis D, since the treatment of anything is the prerogative of a doctor, not the Internet.

Aquadetrim

Rating: 4.9

An aqueous solution of vitamin D. Cholecalciferol is known to be fat-soluble. But in this preparation of vitamin D it is 'packed' into micelles – special structures, inside of which there is a hydrophobic core of the vitamin, and outside there is a hydrophilic shell that allows the agent to mix with water. Colecalciferol is converted into approximately the same form in the intestine under the influence of bile acids, and only in the form of micelles can it pass through the intestinal membrane. Therefore, Aquadetrim is one of the most easily digestible forms of vitamin D. We have placed it in the rating section for children, but this drug can also be recommended for adults with gallbladder pathology (when little bile enters the intestines, the absorption of fat-soluble vitamin D decreases).

1 drop contains about 500 IU.

You need to take the drug once a day, adding the right amount to a spoonful of milk (for infants) or any other liquid food. Do not mix the medicine with the contents of a whole bottle – if the baby does not finish eating, it will not work to determine how much vitamin he received.

It should be noted that the product is economical: if we proceed from the fact that there are 20 drops in 1 ml, then even if you take 1000 IU, a 10 ml bottle will last for 100 days.

Advantages

• easy to digest;
• convenient to dose;
• profitability.

disadvantages

• not.

Vigantol

Rating: 4.7

And this is an oil solution of vitamin D3. In 1 drop of 500 IU, in a bottle of 10 ml of solution. The method of application is the same: add the required amount to a spoonful of semi-liquid food or milk. Likewise, it is quite economical: 1 bottle will last for a long time.

Of the shortcomings, it is necessary to note the prescription drug release.

Advantages

• convenient to dose,
• profitability.

disadvantages

• dispensed by prescription.

MegaFood, D3 Wellness, Mixed Fruit, 1000 IU, 90 Gummies

Rating: 4.5

This is an American drug that must be ordered online. Chewable lozenges contain 1000 IU of vitamin each, so they are suitable for children over 3 years old. There are 90 lozenges in a jar, one package is enough for 3 months of admission. Despite this, the cost of the drug is higher than that of the funds from the beginning of the rating.

Advantages

• 1 lozenge contains the recommended daily dose of vitamin D for children over 3 years old;
• large packaging.

disadvantages

• you need to order on the Internet,
• high price.

BioGaia, ProTectis, Baby, With Vitamin D, Digestive Health, Probiotic Supplement, 0.34 fl oz (10 ml)

Rating: 4.1

This drug can only be bought online. Its peculiarity is a combination of vitamin D with a prebiotic – lactobacillus Reuteri (Lactobacillus reuteri). It is a type of 'good' bacteria, normal microflora, which has many beneficial effects. But for parents of babies aged from one month to three, their most important property, perhaps, will be the ability to reduce the intensity of infant colic.

5 drops of the product contain 400 IU of cholecalciferol and 100 million (1108) CFU of L. reuteri bacteria. Since microbial bodies are in suspension, the bottle must be shaken well before use. The product can be stored in the refrigerator, but must not be frozen.

The tube lasts for about 1.5 months, if taken according to the instructions, 5 drops per day.

Can be taken from birth.

Advantages

• complex effect: helps to reduce the intensity of colic.

disadvantages

• you need to order online and wait for delivery;
• high price.

The best vitamin D supplements for adults

In adults, the situation with the supply of vitamin D is no better than in children. For example, among women over 50 years of age in Russia, hypovitaminosis is found in 74 – 83.2% of those surveyed [2]. Recall that for women of age, the normal intake of vitamin D is critically important due to osteoporosis. Reducing the amount of calcium in bone tissue contributes to increased bone fragility. A deficiency of a vital element is found in pregnant and lactating mothers.

The reason for this situation is partly due to the geographical position of our country. It has been proven that in the period from November to March in people living above the 35th parallel, the skin does not produce vitamin D, no matter how much sun they are. The fact is that to start the biochemical processes of vitamin D synthesis, the sun must fall on the skin at an almost right angle. Recall that Moscow has coordinates 55 ° 45 ′, St. Petersburg – 59 ° 57 ′, and even the southern city of Sochi is located above the 'critical' latitude – 43 ° 35 ′. Sunscreens also contribute to the development of deficiency: protecting against photoaging and skin cancer on the one hand, we block the synthesis of a vital substance on the other.

Prophylactic dosages of vitamin D for adults:

1. 18 – 50 years old: 600 – 800 IU per day;
2. over 50 years old: 800 – 1000 IU per day;
3. pregnant and lactating women: 800 – 1200 IU per day.

A separate group was obese people (BMI> 30). Vitamin D is fat-soluble, and tends to get stuck, deposited in adipose tissue. Therefore, for such people, according to international experts, very high doses may be needed: 7-10 thousand IU per day. But at the same time, it is imperative to take an analysis every six months to avoid an overdose and toxic effect. Before donating blood. you need to refrain from taking vitamin D for 3 days.

Equally high daily doses may be required for people with digestive disorders (maladsorptions) and other conditions listed at the beginning of our review.

Technically, most of the drugs listed in the 'for children' section will work for adults. But usually no one wants to mess around with drops when you can just take a pill. Therefore, in this part of the rating, we collected funds in tablets and capsules.

Minisan vitamin D 3 20mkg No. 100

Rating: 4.8

Chewable tablets containing 800 IU of vitamin D3 – according to the latest recommendations, this is the optimal dosage for people between 18 and 50 years old. The tablet can be split if desired.

Of the shortcomings, the price is not the lowest, however, given the number of tablets in the package, we can say that the drug is quite economical.

Advantages

• optimal dosage;
• ease of use;
• can be divided.

disadvantages

• relatively high price.

Vitamin D-Sun No. 60 Evalar

Rating: 4.6

Lemon flavored lozenges contain 600 IU of active ingredient. This is enough to prevent hypovitaminosis in adults under 50. Take 1 tablet a day, keep in the mouth until completely absorbed.

Advantages

• the optimal dosage for people of working age;
• convenient form of application.

disadvantages

• not.

Detrimax vitamin D3 1000 IU

Rating: 4.4

American-made drug. Available in boxes of 30 and 60 tablets. Unlike the previous products in the ranking, the tablets are ordinary, which you just need to swallow once a day with meals. The dosage is optimal for people over their fifties. If desired, the tablets can be divided.

Advantages

• the optimal dosage for adulthood;
• divisible tablets.

disadvantages

• relatively high price.

Ultra-D vitamin D3 25mkg (1000 IU) No. 60 chewable tablets

Rating: 4.3

The convenient form of chewable tablets is suitable for people who, for some reason, cannot or do not want to take drops or capsules. The tablets are allowed to be divided: those who are afraid of overdose, despite changes in the recommended norms, can take half a tablet once a day. This will make the product more economical: however, even in this case, the drug cannot withstand price competition with other tablets, and even more so with drops.

Advantages

• convenient form of application;
• can be divided.

disadvantages

• high price.

Fish oil biachishenol Omega-3 D3 capsules

Rating: 4.2

A remedy from the 'cheap and cheerful' category – a package of 60 capsules costs a little more than 100 rubles. The amount of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is small, vitamin D contains 5 μg (200 IU). On the one hand, this requires taking several capsules per day, on the other hand, it allows you to vary the dose.

Advantages

• low price;
• you can change the dosage by changing the number of capsules taken,

disadvantages

• one capsule per day is not enough;
• the packaging is finished in less than a month.

Healthy Origins, Vitamin D3, 10,000 IU, 360 Softgels

Rating: 4.0

This drug needs to be ordered via the Internet and wait for international delivery, but we simply could not pass by. It was already mentioned above that people with obesity and digestive disorders need higher doses of vitamin D3 than usual. This tool is just right for such people. And given that a package that is enough for a year (!) Of use costs a little more than 1000 rubles (at the dollar exchange rate at the beginning of April 2019) – in terms of efficiency it has no equal. Unlike all other drugs in our rating, it is optimal for the treatment of hypovitaminosis. Dosages, as in the case of children, are left to the discretion of the attending physician.

Advantages

• suitable for prophylaxis for patients with obesity and maladsorption;
• can be used to treat hypovitaminosis already diagnosed;
• profitability.

disadvantages

• ordering only via the Internet and waiting for delivery.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.