Vitamin D3 5,000 IU | 125 mcg | 240 Softgels | NOW Foods

NOW Foods Vitamin D3 5000 IU

Looking for high-dose vitamin D? This vitamin D3 from NOW Foods contains 125 µg per softgel, which is 5000 IU. This is a significant amount, intended for conscious use by adults. A jar contains 240 softgels.

What is Vitamin D3?

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin because your skin largely synthesizes 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 synthesis to occur, which is why many people experience a deficiency during these months. Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is the form that the human body produces itself and is also found in animal-based foods; the plant-based variant is called vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). D3 is the most commonly used form in supplements. Both micrograms and international units are listed on the label; 1 microgram equals 40 IU, so 125 µg equals 5000 IU. With this amount, this softgel provides several times the daily reference intake. 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 sunlight. In a country like the Netherlands with long, dark winters, this is why authorities recommend supplementary vitamin D for certain groups, and why many people supplement year-round.

What does Vitamin D contribute 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 normal blood calcium levels and the normal absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus, and plays a role in the process of cell division. The complete list of authorized health claims can be found further down this page, along with the safety information specific to a high-dose product.

Cholecalciferol from Lanolin in Olive Oil

The vitamin D3 in these softgels is cholecalciferol extracted from lanolin, the natural wool fat of sheep. This is the most common source of vitamin D3 in supplements. It is incorporated into extra virgin olive oil as a fatty base, in line with the fat-soluble nature of the vitamin. An oily base has the advantage that the fat-soluble vitamin is already dissolved in fat, which corresponds to how the body absorbs vitamin D from food. The softgel shell contains beef gelatin, glycerin, and water, making this product unsuitable for vegetarians or vegans.

240 Softgels and Conscious Dosing

A jar contains 240 softgels. For such a high-dose product, it is wise to monitor your total vitamin D intake from all sources, for example, in addition to a multivitamin. This is an isolated and clear D3 formula: no mix, no multivitamin, only vitamin D3 in oil. This way, you know exactly what you are consuming with each dose. The 5000 IU dosage is the highest in this range and is primarily for those who consciously maintain a high intake, adapted to their personal situation and needs. In short: a high-dose vitamin D3 from a reputable brand known for clear labels and controlled production.