Vitamin D3 2000 IU | Cholecalciferol | 240 Softgels | NOW Foods

NOW Foods Vitamin D3 2000 IU

Looking for a slightly higher daily dose of vitamin D? This vitamin D3 from NOW Foods provides 50 µg per softgel, which is 2000 IU. Vitamin D3 is cholecalciferol, the same form your skin produces naturally when exposed to sunlight. One bottle contains 240 softgels.

What is Vitamin D3

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin because your skin largely produces it itself under the influence of the sun's UV rays. In autumn and winter, the sun is too low in the Netherlands for this production, which is why many people get less during these months. Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is the form that the human body produces itself and is also found in animal foods; the plant-based variant is called vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). D3 is the most commonly used form in supplements. On labels, vitamin D appears in two units: micrograms (µg) and international units (IU). For vitamin D, 1 microgram equals 40 IU, so 50 µg is equivalent to 2000 IU. This explains why the same vitamin is sometimes listed in mcg and sometimes in IU. Vitamin D is one of the few vitamins for which diet alone is often not enough: fatty fish, eggs, and fortified products provide some, but most normally comes from the sun. In a country like the Netherlands, with long, dark winters, this is why authorities recommend extra vitamin D for certain groups and why many people supplement it year-round.

What Vitamin D Contributes To

Vitamin D contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system and the maintenance of normal bones, normal teeth, and normal muscle function. Vitamin D also contributes to the normal absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus and to normal blood calcium levels. Vitamin D also plays a role in the process of cell division. The full list of approved health claims can be found further down this page. The 2000 IU per softgel makes this vitamin D3 a slightly more potent supplement than a standard 1000 IU.

Softgel with Oil as a Carrier

Since vitamin D is fat-soluble, this vitamin D3 is supplied in a softgel containing oil: in this case, a base of extra virgin olive oil and safflower oil. This fatty base matches the fat-soluble nature of the vitamin. The softgel is small and easy to swallow. An oily base has the advantage that the fat-soluble vitamin is already dissolved in a fatty substance, which corresponds to how the body absorbs vitamin D from food. As the capsule contains gelatin, this product is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.

A Large Bottle of 240 Softgels

One bottle contains 240 softgels, a generous supply that lasts a long time. This is a straightforward product: only vitamin D3 in an oily base, without blends or other additions. This 2000 IU variant is, in terms of dosage, between the entry-level 1000 IU variant and the high-dose 5000 IU variant, and is a good choice for those who want to supplement a bit more broadly without immediately opting for the highest dosage. In summary: a practical, medium-dose vitamin D3 from a reputable brand known for its clear labels and controlled production.