Vitamin D

Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is an essential vitamin everybody needs to stay healthy.

Your body cannot naturally produce vitamin D on its own. Instead, it relies on exposure to sunlight and your diet to get the vitamin D it needs to stay healthy.

Unfortunately, most people will struggle to get enough vitamin D through their diet and sunlight alone, particularly those that follow a vegan diet.

Foods that are high in vitamin D tend to be animal products like eggs, fish and milk, all of which are not vegan friendly, so getting vitamin D from a vegan diet can be a struggle.

Luckily, we have various vegan vitamin D supplement options to help you boost your daily intake. So, whether you would prefer to take vitamin D gummies, tablets or even a handy spray, we have you covered.

Why do we need vitamin D?

Vitamin D is vital to help keep our bodies healthy. It supports our immune system and helps absorb calcium and phosphorous from food, necessary for maintaining healthy bones, teeth and muscles.

Our natural vitamin D intake comes from two main sources: sunlight and our diet. When your body is exposed to sunlight, it converts cholesterol into vitamin D, but sunlight hours vary throughout the year and around the world. So, if you live in areas where sunlight is lacking (like, let's face it, the UK), producing vitamin D from the sun alone can be difficult.

Those lacking vitamin D are at risk of developing weak, brittle bones in the long term and might notice vitamin D deficiency symptoms like fatigue, hair loss and even depression. You can learn more about the signs of a vitamin D deficiency in our handy guide.

Vegan vitamin D supplements

You can boost your vitamin D intake by taking a daily vitamin D supplement, such as a capsule or tablet.

Not all vitamin D supplements are suitable for vegans, but we have an extensive range of vegan vitamin D supplements available, including high-strength vitamin D and options for children.

If you do not like having to swallow a tablet as part of your vitamin regime, the BetterYou DLux Vegan Vitamin D Oral Spray is for you. Throw in your bag to use on the go or spritz it onto your tongue in the morning for a fuss-free method of taking your daily dose.

Or, if you love taking your vitamins in a chewable, gummy form, you can add a sweet, vegan addition to your daily vitamin routine with the Holland and Barrett Vegan Vitamin D 1000 IU 25ug Gummies.

Vegan sources of vitamin D

Many of the best sources of vitamin D come from animal products. However, there are some vegan-friendly vitamin D sources that you can incorporate into your diet.

Some of the best vegan sources for vitamin D include certain types of mushrooms, fortified soy milk, fortified orange juice and fortified cereals.

You can also raise your vitamin D levels by ensuring your body gets some sunlight. It is recommended that 10-30 minutes of daylight up to 3 times a week is enough for most people. However, those with darker skin tones may require longer sun exposure to reap the same benefits. But remember, if you are going out in the sun, keep your skin protected by wearing SPF.