Vitamin D3 supplement

Chris4

Hi all,

I'm looking at purchasing some Vitamin D3 tablets/softgels after reading some very positive studies on them.

There's some good value 1-year-supplies on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/NatureWise-Vitamin--Swallow-Softgels-1-Year/dp/B00GB85JR4 - £12.99

These appear to be from an American company which have a website and seem established. https://www.naturewise.com. They're also softgels, which I've read are easier to consume.

There are another two UK-based brands/companies which are a bit better value, but I'm unsure about them.

Innopure® - Vitamin D3 Optimum Strength - 5,000 IU | One a Day Easy to Swallow Tablets | 1 Year Supply 365 Tablets - £10.45

Incite Nutrition - Vitamin D3 High Strength 5000 IU 365 Tablets (Year Supply) - £10.00

I've tried looking into Innopure and Incite Nutrition to no avail.

Whilst they both have very good reviews, a lot of Incite's appear to be fake, i.e. only have reviews for their products. So I'm not sure what reviews to believe.

Innopure is sold by 'Get Gorgeous!' and Amazon lists the company as EBEAUTY LTD.

Incite Nutrition is sold by No.1 Supplements Limited

Am I safe to buy from these? Should I be checking they're a regulated vitamin supplier or anything along those lines?

j.e.j.

Why not buy some from the UK? I don't take vitamins myself, but Lifeplan is a good make. Seems a bit problematic importing them from the U.S. when you can get them here.

Chris4

j.e.j. wrote: »

Why not buy some from the UK? I don't take vitamins myself, but Lifeplan is a good make. Seems a bit problematic importing them from the U.S. when you can get them here.

The two mentioned aren't imported, they're from the UK.

Basically my question is... Having never purchased vitamins online before, how concerned should I be about the brand of vitamin? Is there a way to check they're genuine? Can I request some kind of certificate? I just want to check what I'm putting into my body on a daily basis is what it says on the box.

rainbowfairydust

personally i wouldnt buy any of these tablets on amazon , £10 for a years supply would make me suspicious of whats actually in them.

Personally i would be increasing my intake of foods that contain vitamin d such as oily fish, eggs, mushrooms or try to get as much sunshine as possible. If you do feel like you do want the vitamins i would buying them from a reputable/known brand.

rainbowfairydust

this company look genuine, and are based in the UK. They are a similar price too.

http://www.bulkpowders.co.uk/vitamin-d3-tablets-5000iu.html/?gclid=CN-24rKzwcUCFQcewwodzkUAOw#/!/?id=2821&view=ppc&view=ppc&dpc=ZPL10&msg=New%20customer%3F%20Get%2010%25%20off%20your%20first%20Bulk%20Powders%20order

eta - bit suspicious you cant actually read the reviews though :think:

A.Penny.Saved

rainbowfairydust wrote: »

this company look genuine, and are based in the UK. They are a similar price too.

http://www.bulkpowders.co.uk/vitamin-d3-tablets-5000iu.html/?gclid=CN-24rKzwcUCFQcewwodzkUAOw#/!/?id=2821&view=ppc&view=ppc&dpc=ZPL10&msg=New%20customer%3F%20Get%2010%25%20off%20your%20first%20Bulk%20Powders%20order

eta - bit suspicious you cant actually read the reviews though :think:

Click on the reviews tab and the review show, very simple!

• Description
• Nutrition
• Directions
• Reviews (9)

You can buy vitamin D anywhere but it does come in different forms. D2 and D3, where D3 is the more natural form. You can buy softgels, tablets, or even liquids where it can be 1,000iu per drop which gives more control than 5,000 or 10,000 iu tablets/capsules. I have the Now Foods liquid vitamin D-3 liquid, 30ml with 1,000 iu per drop. You can split it up easily and take what you require, add it to food, add it to drink, whatever is easiest. I have not noticed any taste. It is best to take with some form of fat for better absorption. I take it with Coconut oil.


It might pay to get some fish oil which contains it with Vit A but many fish oils are concentrated which means they remove all the vit A & D and then add it back afterwards but what they add is D2 rather than D3 so be aware of that. You do not want D2, only D3.


Be aware that taking vitamin D will raise your blood calcium levels which might have negative effects with regard to the circulatory system.


It does not pay to supplement individual vitamins and minerals and can cause problems. Vitamins and minerals are not miracles and the latest must have stories do not tell the whole truth IMO and often just cause problems. Most of it is sponsored by the vitamin manufacturers and designed to sell their wares.



I have been taking the liquid D3 for a long time but have recently dropped my intake right back to 2,000 iu per day via liquid and 2000 via a multi vitamin. I cannot honesty say that it provided any benefit.

Chris4

Thanks for your reply, A.Penny.Saved. I'm well aware of the benefits of D3 as opposed to D2. I decided to go for 5000ui which seemed like a recommended amount among D3 users - and the Superior Source brand, which appear to be a well known brand from LA.

Thanks for the mention of vitamin D raising calcium levels which may have negative effects on circulatory system, I was going to recommend these to my partner but she has bad circulation so I'll look into that.

A.Penny.Saved wrote: »

I have been taking the liquid D3 for a long time but have recently dropped my intake right back to 2,000 iu per day via liquid and 2000 via a multi vitamin. I cannot honesty say that it provided any benefit.

I'll see if D3 has any benefits for me. I work in an office so I don't get all that much sunlight, and I'm also starting gym again soon which D3 can benefit. If not, I'll stop. :-)

t0rt0ise

I bought Healthy Origins D3 from Amazon. I had had a blood test which showed low D, took 5,000 iu gels for six months and had another blood test which showed normal levels.

My haematologist said that it is now known to be dangerous to have too high a level of D, so it was important to be tested properly. I'd suggest you get a blood test before possibly overtreating.

Chris4

t0rt0ise wrote: »

I bought Healthy Origins D3 from Amazon. I had had a blood test which showed low D, took 5,000 iu gels for six months and had another blood test which showed normal levels.

My haematologist said that it is now known to be dangerous to have too high a level of D, so it was important to be tested properly. I'd suggest you get a blood test before possibly overtreating.

Okay. Can I go about this on the NHS? Can I obtain past blood test results maybe? I had one not too long ago.

I'm going to be taking it for the potential health benefits rather than trying to treat a health concern, so I don't know how to go about this...

merlin68

I have to have d3 due to deficiency and they always test my blood first. This is because you can get toxicity from too much.
You really don't need to take any vitamins or minerals unless a blood test shows otherwise.

A.Penny.Saved

I have come across ___this___ which might be of interest to people taking or considering taking Vitamin D supplements, especially if they have any family history of heart or circulatory disease.

The gist of it is that consuming a bacteria Lactobacillus Reuteri NCIMB 30242, which has been shown to lower cholesterol results in a 25% increase in the levels of circulating active vitamin D.

This research was to investigate whether this bacteria as a result of lowering cholesterol levels, also resulted in a lowering of fat soluble vitamins, which they did not. However they did have an unexpected increase in vitamin D levels.

Bacteria can be used to ferment foods such as making Yoghurt. All you need is a source of the bacteria which can be purchased. I already have L. Reuteri which I received a few days back. I do intend using it to ferment so that I do not need to keep purchasing (MSE) the probiotics. There are probably a few companies making probiotic supplements using this bacteria, the one I have is made by Life Extension and called FlorAssist.