Choosing a vitamin D supplement in Australia comes down to a few honest questions: which form of vitamin D it uses, whether it includes vitamin K2, the dose per serve, and the format you will actually take every day. Vitamin D supports normal bone and muscle function and is important for the normal function of the immune system (Healthdirect), which is why it is one of the most searched supplements in the country.
This guide compares the vitamin D supplements stocked at Elite Supps, led by our house brand, and shows you how to pick between them. Whether you need a supplement at all, and at what dose, is a decision for your GP, ideally after a blood test.
Key points
- The best vitamin D supplement is the one you will take consistently, in a form and dose your GP supports.
- Check four things: the form of vitamin D, whether K2 is included, the dose, and the format that suits you.
- Every vitamin D supplement in the Elite range uses D3, the form your skin makes from sunlight.
- Elite's house-brand pick is Emrald Labs Vitamin D3 + K2 Capsules, with Switch Nutrition, Pillar Performance and Herbs of Gold rounding out the range.
- Whether you need a supplement, and at what dose, is a decision for your GP, ideally after a blood test.
What is the best vitamin D supplement?
The best vitamin D supplement is the one you will take consistently, in a form and dose your GP supports. At Elite Supps the house-brand pick is Emrald Labs Vitamin D3 + K2 Capsules, which pair vitamin D3 with vitamin K2. Switch Nutrition Vitamin D3 + K2, Pillar Performance Vitamin D3 Soft-Gel Capsules and Herbs of Gold Vitamin D3 1000 round out the range. There is no single best for everyone.
Our vitamin D range
Here are the four vitamin D supplements we stock, in the order we would suggest most people consider them. Prices are shown as a guide only and are confirmed on each product page.
- Emrald Labs Vitamin D3 + K2 Capsules (house brand): our own-brand pick, pairing vitamin D3 with vitamin K2 in a single capsule. A sensible default if you want both nutrients together. Priced from [NEEDS-INPUT]. Rating [NEEDS-INPUT].
- Switch Nutrition Vitamin D3 + K2: a third-party D3 with K2 option and a strong alternative if you prefer the Switch range. Priced from [NEEDS-INPUT]. Rating [NEEDS-INPUT].
- Pillar Performance Vitamin D3 Soft-Gel Capsules (product link [NEEDS-INPUT]): a straight vitamin D3 soft-gel, without added K2, in an easy-to-swallow soft-gel format. Priced from [NEEDS-INPUT]. Rating [NEEDS-INPUT].
- Herbs of Gold Vitamin D3 1000 (product link [NEEDS-INPUT]): a well-known Australian brand offering a straight vitamin D3 option. Priced from [NEEDS-INPUT]. Rating [NEEDS-INPUT].
If you are new to vitamin D and want the reasoning behind pairing it with K2, read Vitamin D3 and K2: Why Take Them Together. To browse every option side by side, see the full vitamin D supplements range.
What should you look for in a vitamin D supplement?
Look at four things: the form of vitamin D, whether K2 is included, the dose per serve, and the format that suits you. Most quality supplements use vitamin D3 rather than D2. Some pair D3 with vitamin K2. Dose is measured in micrograms, and the right amount is a conversation for your GP. Format is capsule, soft-gel or tablet, so pick the one you will take daily.
Four things to check
- Form: D3 vs D2. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the form your skin makes from sunlight and the form used in most supplements. Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is plant-derived. All four vitamin D supplements at Elite Supps use D3.
- With or without K2. Some supplements pair vitamin D3 with vitamin K2. The Emrald Labs and Switch Nutrition products are D3 + K2; the Pillar Performance and Herbs of Gold options are straight D3. For the reasoning behind the pairing, see Vitamin D3 and K2.
- Dose. Vitamin D is fat-soluble and stored in the body, so very high intakes over time can be harmful - more is not better (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements). The right dose depends on your blood level and your GP's advice. For general guidance on daily amounts, read How Much Vitamin D Per Day.
- Format: capsule vs soft-gel vs tablet. The active ingredient is the same across formats. Capsules and soft-gels are easy to swallow and travel well; the best format is simply the one you will take every day without fail.
Is D3 or D2 better?
Vitamin D comes in two forms: D3 (cholecalciferol) and D2 (ergocalciferol). D3 is the form your skin makes from sunlight and the form used in most supplements. Vitamin D3 is more effective than D2 at raising and maintaining vitamin D levels in the blood (Tripkovic et al., 2012). All four vitamin D supplements at Elite Supps use D3. If you are unsure which form or dose is right for you, ask your GP.
Because every vitamin D supplement in our range is a D3, choosing between them is really about whether you want added K2 and which format and brand you prefer, rather than D3 versus D2. If your GP has recommended a specific form or dose for you, follow their advice over any general guide.
Where can you buy vitamin D in Australia?
You can buy vitamin D online at Elite Supps, with same-day dispatch on orders placed before the daily cut-off and free shipping on orders over $150. The vitamin D range includes Emrald Labs Vitamin D3 + K2 Capsules, Switch Nutrition Vitamin D3 + K2, Pillar Performance Vitamin D3 Soft-Gel Capsules and Herbs of Gold Vitamin D3 1000. Vitamin D is also sold in pharmacies and supermarkets across Australia.
To shop the range, start with the house-brand Emrald Labs Vitamin D3 + K2 Capsules or the Switch Nutrition Vitamin D3 + K2, or browse everything in the vitamin D supplements collection.
Important. Before you start any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a health condition, speak to your GP about whether you need vitamin D and at what dose.
References
- Healthdirect Australia. Vitamin D and your health. healthdirect.gov.au
- Tripkovic L, et al. Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;95(6):1357-64. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin D, Health Professional fact sheet. 2024. ods.od.nih.gov
This article is general information only and is not personal health or medical advice. Vitamin D contributes to normal bone, muscle and immune function as part of a balanced diet. A blood test ordered by your GP is the only way to know your vitamin D level, and your GP is the right person to advise whether you need a supplement and at what dose. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a health condition, speak to your GP or a qualified health professional before starting any supplement.
