05.22.17
Vitamin D is currently the most popular dietary supplement among people who regularly use supplements, according to a recent survey by ConsumerLab.com. Its popularity is driven by the fact that having sufficient vitamin D in the body is associated not only with maintaining strong bones but a reduced risk of falls, heart attack, high blood pressure, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and even colds.
So which are the best vitamin D supplements? To find out, ConsumerLab.com purchased more than 40 popular vitamin D supplements, tested their quality, and compared their dosage and formulation.
Several products were discovered to contain lower amounts of ingredient than claimed or to take too long to break apart in disintegration tests and one was found to be contaminated with lead. Among those which successfully passed testing, ConsumerLab.com identified its Top Picks. The results are available in ConsumerLab.com's new Vitamin D Supplements Review.
Although the cost to obtain the full recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin D (600 IU for ages 1 to 70; 800 IU for age 70+) can be as much as one dollar, ConsumerLab.com was able to identify many high-quality supplements providing this dose or more for as little as one penny. Among CL’s Top Picks are liquid supplements, as they easily allow for variable dosing. For higher doses and for combination products (including calcium, vitamin K, and/or magnesium), CL’s Top Picks include tablets, a chew, and a gummy.
An important part of the Review is information on when and how to safely use vitamin D, based on the findings of clinical studies. For example, Consumers may not be aware that getting too much vitamin D can be detrimental and reverse some of its benefits. The Review also points out that the current Supplement Facts panels on labels do not reflect the latest recommendations and should not be relied on for determining the % of the Daily Value for vitamin D a product provides. Updated labels are not expected until mid-2018 according to the latest information from the FDA.
The results are available online now in ConsumerLab.com's Vitamin D Supplements Review and includes test results and quality comparisons for 44 products which includes 24 supplements selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com, 20 supplements which passed the same testing through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program, as well as information about three products which are similar to one which passed testing.
So which are the best vitamin D supplements? To find out, ConsumerLab.com purchased more than 40 popular vitamin D supplements, tested their quality, and compared their dosage and formulation.
Several products were discovered to contain lower amounts of ingredient than claimed or to take too long to break apart in disintegration tests and one was found to be contaminated with lead. Among those which successfully passed testing, ConsumerLab.com identified its Top Picks. The results are available in ConsumerLab.com's new Vitamin D Supplements Review.
Although the cost to obtain the full recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin D (600 IU for ages 1 to 70; 800 IU for age 70+) can be as much as one dollar, ConsumerLab.com was able to identify many high-quality supplements providing this dose or more for as little as one penny. Among CL’s Top Picks are liquid supplements, as they easily allow for variable dosing. For higher doses and for combination products (including calcium, vitamin K, and/or magnesium), CL’s Top Picks include tablets, a chew, and a gummy.
An important part of the Review is information on when and how to safely use vitamin D, based on the findings of clinical studies. For example, Consumers may not be aware that getting too much vitamin D can be detrimental and reverse some of its benefits. The Review also points out that the current Supplement Facts panels on labels do not reflect the latest recommendations and should not be relied on for determining the % of the Daily Value for vitamin D a product provides. Updated labels are not expected until mid-2018 according to the latest information from the FDA.
The results are available online now in ConsumerLab.com's Vitamin D Supplements Review and includes test results and quality comparisons for 44 products which includes 24 supplements selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com, 20 supplements which passed the same testing through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program, as well as information about three products which are similar to one which passed testing.
