Sports Research Vitamin D3 + K2 review: a vegan once-a-day softgel for bones and immunity
One small plant-based softgel with 5000 IU of D3 from lichen and 100 mcg of K2 as MK-7, plus coconut oil to help absorption.
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More than 55,000 people have rated Sports Research Vitamin D3 + K2 on Amazon, and it still holds 4.8 stars. That almost never happens with a product this popular. So I went through what's actually in it.
Short version: it's one tiny softgel, it's fully plant based, and it covers two vitamins that work as a team.
Why D3 and K2 come as a pair
Vitamin D3 helps your body absorb calcium from food. Vitamin K2 helps direct that calcium to your bones. Sports Research puts it nicely on the label: D3 brings the calcium in, K2 guides it where it belongs.
Plenty of people take D3 alone, especially in winter or if they work indoors all day. Adding K2 alongside it is a popular choice for anyone thinking about long-term bone health.
What each softgel gives you
125 mcg (5000 IU) of vitamin D3 as cholecalciferol, sourced from lichen instead of sheep's wool
100 mcg of vitamin K2 as MK-7, made from fermented chickpeas
Coconut MCT oil, because D and K are fat-soluble and absorb better with a little fat
The company says the combination supports strong bones, immune health, cardiovascular health and normal calcium metabolism.
The vegan detail is a bigger deal than it sounds
Most D3 on the market comes from lanolin, which is wool grease. That's fine for many people, but if you eat plant based, it rules out a lot of options. This formula uses lichen D3 and a plant softgel the company calls a Plantgel, and it's Vegan Certified.
It's also Non-GMO Project Verified and free of carrageenan, gluten and soy. Sports Research says each batch is third-party tested and made in the USA in a cGMP facility.
I'll admit I'm a sucker for a clean label. This one is about as clean as they come.
Living with it day to day
You take one softgel a day. That's the whole routine. They're small and easy to swallow, which comes up again and again in the reviews, along with how long a bottle lasts.
The 60 count bottle was listed at $23.95 when I checked, so you're getting two months for about the price of a couple of coffees. Take it with a meal that has some fat in it, like eggs, avocado toast or yogurt, and you're set.
Who tends to love it
From the reviews, it's a mix:
People in northern places who see less sun in winter
Vegans and vegetarians who want D3 without animal sources
Folks who were told by their doctor their vitamin D was on the low side
That last group is the big one, and it brings up something important.
Before that, though, one more nice touch. Because the softgel is so small and there's no fishy or herbal taste, it's an easy one to keep next to your toothbrush or coffee maker. Tying a supplement to something you already do every morning is honestly the best trick I know for remembering it. A once-a-day product makes that easy, and you won't be juggling a handful of pills.
Reviewers also mention that they like knowing exactly where the ingredients come from. Lichen and fermented chickpeas aren't things you usually see on a vitamin bottle, and Sports Research spells them out right on the front.
A friendly word on dose
5000 IU is a strong daily dose, higher than the standard adult daily value. Many people do well on it, but it's smart to get your vitamin D level checked and ask your doctor what amount suits you. Vitamin D builds up in the body over time, so more isn't always better.
And because vitamin K affects clotting, anyone on warfarin or another blood thinner should check with their doctor before starting a K2 supplement. If you're pregnant or nursing, run it by your provider too.
My take
It's simple, it's plant based, and tens of thousands of people keep coming back to it. If you've been meaning to add vitamin D to your routine and like the idea of K2 riding along, Sports Research Vitamin D3 + K2 is a very easy place to start.
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