Too Much Vitamin D? Some Supplements Contain Much More Than Claimed, According to ConsumerLab

White Plains, NY, August 12, 2024 — Getting adequate vitamin D is important to maintaining bone and cardiovascular health, and may have other benefits. However, getting too much vitamin D can have adverse effects, including increasing the risk of fractures and falls. ConsumerLab recently tested 26 popular vitamin D supplements, some of which included additional ingredients. and found that two products contained up to twice the amount of vitamin D listed on the label. Someone taking these products could, unknowingly, put themselves at risk of hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) and other problems associated with having too much vitamin D.

Furthermore, ConsumerLab found that many products provide higher doses of vitamin D than many people need, unless treating a deficiency. Doses ranged from 24 mcg (960 IU) to as much as 169 mcg (6,760 IU) per suggested serving. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D for adults is 15 to 20 mcg (600 to 800 IU) and the tolerable upper intake level is 100 mcg (4,000 IU).

ConsumerLab also found a huge range in the cost to get vitamin D from supplements, ranging, per 25 mcg (1,000 IU) dose, from as little as 1 cent to $1.75. Products with special formulations, such as gummies, and those with extra ingredients, or vegan, vegetarian, or all-natural ingredients, were more expensive.

Among products that passed all tests of quality and were Approved, ConsumerLab selected several Top Picks among vitamin D supplements, and several Top Picks among bone health supplements (containing vitamin D along with calcium, vitamin K, magnesium, and/or boron) based on quality, dosage, and value.

Access the Full Report:

ConsumerLab Vitamin D Supplements Review is available online to ConsumerLab members.

The report includes test results and comparisons for 26 vitamin D supplements, including gummies, drops, capsules, and softgels. Eighteen products were selected for testing by ConsumerLab: AlgaeCal Plus, Bayer Citracal Petites, Biotics Research Bio-D-Mulsion Forte, Caltrate Minis, Doctor’s Best Vegan D3 2,500 IU, Kirkland Signature [Costco] D3 50 mcg, Life Extension Bone Restore Calcium Supplement with Vitamin K2, Metagenics Bone Builder Forte, Sports Research D3 + K2, Nature Made D3 1,000 IU (25 mcg), Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 Gummies- Great Wild Berry Taste, New Chapter Plant Calcium Bone Strength Take Care, NOW High Potency Vitamin D-3 2,000 IU, Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 Liquid, Source Naturals Vitamin D-3, Sports Research D3 + K2, Thorne Vitamin D + K2, VitaCost Vitamin D3 125 mcg (5,000 IU), and Whole Earth & Sea Vegan Bioenhanced Vitamin D3 1,000 IU. Eight additional products passed the same testing and were Approved through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program: Carlson Plant Based Super Daily D3, Carlson Super Daily D3 2,000 IU, Carlson Super Daily D3 + K2, Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw D3 5,000IU (125 mcg), GNC Calcium Plus, Innovixlabs Vitamin D3 + K2, Kirkland Signature [Costco] Adult Gummies Calcium 500 mg with D3 & Zinc- Orange & Cherry Natural Fruit Flavors, and Life Extension Vitamins D and K with Sea- Iodine.

The Review also explains who may need to take vitamin D, how much vitamin D to take, the best way to take vitamin D to improve absorption, how to get vitamin D from sunlight and certain foods, as well as the dangers of getting too much vitamin D, side effects, and drug interactions with vitamin D.

A short video with ConsumerLab’s president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., provides expert tips for selecting the best vitamin D supplements based on the new Review.

Founded in 1999, ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. Membership to ConsumerLab.com is available online and provides immediate access to continually updated reviews of nearly every popular type of dietary supplement and health food, answers to reader questions, and product recalls and warnings. ConsumerLab also provides independent product testing through its voluntary Quality Certification Program. The company is privately held and based in New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products.

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