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When it comes to dietary supplements, pre-workouts, protein powder, and creatine tend to be the most popular, but we can’t overlook the importance of supplements designed for overall health and wellness, like vitamin D.
Research shows1 that the best vitamin D supplements can support a positive mood, stronger immune system, and bone health, especially when paired with calcium. There are plenty of vitamin D supplements on the market, and in this Garden of Life Vitamin D review, we’ll be taking a closer look at one of the more interesting formulations we’ve seen and tested.
Is this superfood-containing supplement worth the extra cost, or should you go with something else? In this review, I’ll share the pros, cons, and everything you need to know about this supplement.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
Tested by a Certified Fitness Expert
Every review we publish is based on hands-on trials from our testers, a team made up of certified personal trainers, certified nutrition coaches, gym owners, and even an Olympian. We’ve tested hundreds of supplements, including a variety of vitamin D supplements, and we know how to tell the difference between good and bad products.
For this review, our tester was GGR’s Senior Director of Content Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1. Kate used Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw D3 so she could calculate a final score using our supplement testing methodology. This allowed her to calculate a final review score by rating the supplement on a scale of 1-5 for a variety of categories, including:
- Formulation
- Price per serving
- Taste
- Third-party testing
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw D3 Review
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw D3
Product Highlights
- Derived from raw whole foods
- Each serving provides 5000 IU of fat-soluble raw vitamin D3
- Lipid base consists of high omega-9 organic green cracked wall chlorella
- Added probiotics and enzymes include lactobacillus probiotics and digestive enzymes lipase, protease, bromelain, lactase, and papain
- Formulated to support bone, joint, breast, prostate, and immune health
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Raw
- 3rd-party certified
- Clean ingredients
- Vegetarian
- Added probiotics and enzymes
Cons
- Dosage too high for some
- Added probiotics may cause digestive problems for some
Bottom Line
The Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw D3 is a gluten- and dairy-free whole food vitamin D complex that also contains a healthy dose of probiotics and digestive enzymes.
A Quick Look at Garden of Life Vitamin D
Garden of Life specializes in health supplements that use whole-food, high-quality ingredients with transparent labeling and third-party testing. While the brand does offer protein powders and creatine, Garden of Life’s best-sellers include probiotics, vitamins, calcium, magnesium gummies, and more.
In this review, we’ll be focusing on Vitamin Code Raw D3, which contains a potent dose of vitamin D, alongside healthy fats, fruits and vegetables, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. The raw organic fruit & vegetable blend is similar to what you’d find in many other greens powders, containing ingredients like apples, broccoli, beets, raspberry, and more.
While most vitamin D supplements only contain D3, occasionally with added vitamin K2, this is one of the first D3 supplements we’ve seen that contains greens powders, probiotics, and enzymes. With these added ingredients, it’s a little more expensive than simpler vitamin D formulas, but it’s still reasonably priced compared to many other supplements, so accessibility shouldn’t be an issue for most.
Related: Benefits of Vitamin D
Before You Buy
- This formula contains a blend of fruits and vegetables, chlorella, probiotics, and digestive enzymes, in addition to the vitamin D3.
- Even though these capsules are larger than many other vitamin D supplements, our tester didn’t have any issues swallowing them.
- The added ingredients mean this product costs more than many other vitamin D supplements on the market.
Is Garden of Life Vitamin D Worth It?
Garden of Life Vitamin D may be affordable compared to many other supplements, but it’s still pricey. Before you order a bottle, you’ll want to make sure it’s the right fit for you.
Great for:
- Anyone who’s been advised to use a strong vitamin D supplement by a medical provider
- People looking to consume more antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
- Those with sensitive stomachs who want the added live probiotics and enzymes for digestive support
Not recommended for:
- Those who already have adequate vitamin D levels
- Anyone shopping on a tight budget
Garden of Life Vitamin D Specs
| Form | Capsule |
| Vitamin D per serving | 125 mcg (5,000 IU) |
| Other active ingredients | Omega-9, raw organic fruit and vegetable blend, raw probiotic and enzyme blend |
| Dosing instructions | Adults take 1 capsule daily or as directed by your healthcare practitioner; best when taken with a meal; capsule may also be opened and contents added to water or juice |
| Cost per serving | $20.99/60 servings = $0.35/serving |
Experience Using Garden of Life Vitamin D
For this review, our tester was Senior Director of Content Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1. Kate’s tested all kinds of supplements over the years, and she knows how to assess a supplement for potency, taste, solubility or swallowability, and more.
With something like vitamin D that mostly provides immune support, you’re not going to feel the effects immediately, so it’s a little tricky to rate much besides the formulation, taste, capsule size, and more. That said, Kate still used this supplement regularly, keeping a close eye out for any side effects.
Overall, Kate was impressed with this supplement, especially since it contains a blend of ingredients not commonly found in vitamin D supplements.
RELATED: Greens Powder vs Multivitamins
Despite the larger capsule size required to house these ingredients, Kate didn’t have any issues with the capsule size, saying, “It’s just one capsule, and while the capsule may be large, it’s very easy to take, and I never had any issues.”
Price Per Serving
Prices fluctuate, but at the time of writing, Garden of Life Vitamin D costs about $0.35 per serving, earning it a 2.5-out-of-5-star rating for the price per serving.
This is still a very reasonable price to pay, especially compared to other supplements, but it’s quite a bit more expensive than other standard vitamin D supplements, which is why our rating is a little low. If you just need vitamin D and don’t want to pay extra for the added nutrients, there are plenty of cheaper options to consider.
Formulation
The unique formulation is one of the most interesting things about this raw food-based supplement, which earns a 5 out of 5 for the formulation.
In addition to 125 mcg of vitamin D (5,000 IU), each capsule contains a blend of 20 organic fruits and vegetables to provide additional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, along with digestive enzymes and probiotics.
According to Sydney Lappe, R.D., “Their addition is intended to provide antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrient cofactors that help drive essential chemical processes in the body.”
It also contains cracked-wall chlorella, a superfood that provides fatty acids to assist with absorption, all contained inside vegetarian capsules with no unnecessary fillers, binders, or sweeteners.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it needs to be taken with dietary fats for proper absorption. If you can’t take your vitamin with a fat-containing meal, the added chlorella should help with absorption, something we don’t see in many other vitamin D supplements.
Because this is a fat-soluble vitamin, if you take more than you need, it will be stored in fatty tissue and the liver, rather than being excreted. You should always consult with your physician before taking any supplements, especially vitamin D. If you’re not deficient, taking a 125 mcg dose may be more than you need, which can lead to vitamin D toxicity.
Taste and Swallowability
Kate gave these a 4 out of 5 for taste, and a 5 out of 5 for swallowability. Even though the capsules are on the larger side, she didn’t have any issues getting them down.
As this is a superfood formula that contains more than just vitamin D, you might expect a stronger flavor, but Kate found it to be pretty mild. She said, “Maybe there was a little plant-like taste due to the fruit and vegetable blend, but it’s not strong.”
RELATED: Garden of Life Greens Review
These capsules may be larger than many other vitamin D capsules due to the added ingredients, but we think most people will be just fine with the size.
Side Effects
For the side effects, Garden of Life Vitamin D earns 5 out of 5, as Kate didn’t notice any side effects at all.
Of course, it’s not all that common to experience side effects from a vitamin D supplement, but with the added superfoods, there’s a greater chance of having some sort of reaction. Kate felt fine, and unless you’re allergic to one of the specific ingredients used in this formulation, side effects should be rare.
Third-Party Testing
When considering any supplement, third-party testing is definitely something to look for. Of course, not all supplements have third-party testing, but it’s a great way to ensure the supplement contains what’s listed on the label and is free from banned ingredients.
For third-party testing, Garden of Life earns 4 out of 5. It’s Non-GMO Project Verified, NSF Certified Gluten Free, and Star K Kosher, all of which are third-party certifications that verify ingredients.
Garden of Life Vitamin D vs Sports Research Vitamin D3
Sports Research Vitamin D3
Sports Research Vitamin D3
Product Highlights
- Vitamin D3 softgel supplement
- 10,000 IU
- Listed benefits: assisting calcium absorption, bone development, and supporting the immune system
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Gluten-free and Non-GMO
- Third-party tested
- Satisfaction guaranteed when purchasing directly from Sports Research
Cons
- Only available in 1 dosage: 10,000 IU
- Contains gelatin from softgel
- Contains allergen: tree nuts (coconut)
- Extremely limited reviews
Bottom Line
Sports Research Vitamin D3 is only available in one dosage, 10,000 IU. Be aware if you are allergic to tree nuts, as it also contains coconut MCT oil to help with absorption. This supplement is designed to support calcium absorption, bone development, and the immune system.
While Garden of Life has a unique blend of ingredients, there are plenty of vitamin D supplements to choose from if you’re looking for a simpler formula, like Sports Research Vitamin D3.
Each softgel is quite small and contains vitamin D in coconut MCT oil, a fatty acid that may help with absorption. Sports Research vitamin D is also available in 25 mcg, 50 mcg, 125 mcg, and 250 mcg, which means you can find the exact potency recommended by your healthcare provider.
It’s also quite affordable, and even the most potent formula, which contains 250 mcg per capsule, only costs $0.14 per serving. We also love that Sports Research has regular third-party testing, ensuring the quality and purity of your supplements.
Overall, Garden of Life Vitamin D is best for those who want added superfoods, probiotics, and enzymes, while Sports Research Vitamin D is best for those who prefer a simpler formula at a lower price point.
| Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw D3 | Sports Research Vitamin D3 | |
| Form | Capsule | Softgel |
| Vitamin D per serving | 125 mcg (5,000 IU) | 25 mcg (1,000 IU) – 250 mcg (10,000 IU) |
| Other active ingredients | Omega-9, raw organic fruit and vegetable blend, raw probiotic and enzyme blend | None |
| Dosing instructions | Adults take 1 capsule daily or as directed by your healthcare practitioner; best when taken with a meal; capsule may also be opened and contents added to water or juice | Take 1 softgel daily with food |
| Cost per serving | $0.35/serving | $0.05-$0.14/serving |
Customer Experience
Garden of Life earns 4 out of 5 stars for the overall customer experience. The customer support team can be reached via phone or email, but this vitamin D supplement is also sold at other retailers, like Amazon, as well as various health food stores.
Many online retailers only accept returns of unopened supplements due to food safety concerns, so once you’ve ordered a bottle and tried it, you’ll probably have to keep it, but this is standard practice.
Ordering Garden of Life Vitamin D
Vitamin Code Raw D3 can be ordered directly from Garden of Life with free shipping or from retailers like Amazon, where you may be eligible for free Prime shipping, as well as subscribe and save discounts.
If you prefer to shop in person, Garden of Life products are usually found at health stores like Whole Foods, Vitamin Shoppe, and other local retailers.
Customer Reviews
At the time of writing, Garden of Life Vitamin D has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Amazon with nearly 12,000 customer reviews and a 4.9 out of 5 on the Garden of Life website with 209 reviews.
Customers seem to love the capsule size and formulation, and are overall very pleased with this product.
Final Verdict of Our Garden of Life Vitamin D Review
If you’re looking for a high-quality vitamin D formula that’s packed with additional ingredients to support your immune health, healthy bones, and more, Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw D3 is an excellent choice. Each capsule contains a blend of chlorella, fruits and vegetables, probiotics, and digestive enzymes.
While it’s a little more expensive than other vitamin D supplements on the market, it’s a great product that contains a strong dose of vitamin D in each serving along with other ingredients many will find beneficial.
- Each capsule contains 125 mcg (5,000 IU) of vitamin D3.
- Costing around $0.35 per serving, this is more expensive than other vitamin D formulas, but still affordable considering how many ingredients are added.
- Garden of Life uses high-quality ingredients and third-party testing, so you can trust the quality of this supplement.
Full Rating
Garden of Life Vitamin D
The Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw D3 is a gluten- and dairy-free whole food vitamin D complex that also contains a healthy dose of probiotics and digestive enzymes.
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 26.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.28
Garden of Life Vitamin D: FAQs
What happens if I take vitamin D3 every day?
Taking vitamin D3 every day is often recommended to maintain adequate levels for those who are deficient. However, if you don’t need vitamin D, taking it every day can lead to vitamin D toxicity, which is why you should always speak with a medical provider before taking any sort of supplement.
Should I take vitamin D in the morning or at night?
Vitamin D can be taken at any time of the day, and is best absorbed when taking alongside dietary fats. You should take your vitamin D supplement whenever you’re going to have a large meal with plenty of fat, and that can be morning or night.
What are the signs of low vitamin D?
According to Yale Medicine2, signs of low vitamin D include muscle pain, bone pain, tingly sensation in hands or feet, muscle weakness, and muscle spasms. Low vitamin D is also associated3 with an increased risk of depression in adults.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
- Passeri, G., & Giannini, S. (2023). Benefits of Vitamin D in Health and Diseases. Nutrients, 15(11), 2419. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15112419
- Vitamin D deficiency. (2024, April 22). Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/vitamin-d-deficiency
- Anglin, R. E., Samaan, Z., Walter, S. D., & McDonald, S. D. (2013). Vitamin D deficiency and depression in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science, 202, 100–107. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.111.106666
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