Vitamin D supplementation D2 or D3? Brand recs?

[Jaimee]

Okay, so I need to up my vitamin D levels, but now I'm all confused about the different forms of vitamin D and what will be compatible with my ovo-lacto vegetarian lifestyle. 

I've read that D3 is almost always derived from lamb wool (lanolin), but are the animals killed in the process?  Sometimes it comes from microbial sources... what brands are those?

I've also heard that D2 (derived from plants) is not natural for humans- possibly even toxic?  So should this be avoided all together?

With all this in mind, what brands do you recommend and where do you get them?

TIA!!

[Sayward]

Vegan D3! (the only one on the market) - http://www.veganstore.com/product/vitashine-vegan-vitamin-D3-spray/all-vitamins

[Jaimee]

Interesting!  Thanks!

[ahimsamom]

This is the D3 I take...definitely vegan, and supplied by Dr. Gabriel Cousens a leading raw vegan MD. It doesn't contain soy like the one the PP posted (an issue for me because I don't eat any soy).  I can really feel the difference on the days I don't take it.

[Sayward]

Originally Posted by ahimsamom 

This is the D3 I take...definitely vegan, and supplied by Dr. Gabriel Cousens a leading raw vegan MD. It doesn't contain soy like the one the PP posted (an issue for me because I don't eat any soy).  I can really feel the difference on the days I don't take it.

I'm pretty sure that product is not vegan . . . it doesn't say vegan anywhere in the description, and there is no information as to where it is sourced from. It only says "humanely sourced", hmmm. It's my understanding that the D3 I linked previously is the ONLY vegan D3 on the market. I'd be happy to be wrong though! I emailed the company; we'll see what they say.

[SundayCrepes]

I got my kids this D3: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027P4S9U/ref=wms_ohs_product

This thread got me to wondering where they get the D3 from. The company ingredient list states: cholecalciferol

So I looked up cholecalciferol. According to wikipedia, it is  produced industrially by the irradiation of a chemical from the lanolin in sheep's wool. 

Personally, I do not mind wool. I've seen sheep sheared and it's not much different than my dog getting groomed. (The sheep may not be as tame as my dog, but it is how the sheep earn a living.) I know not everyone agrees and I respect that.

My daughter has many dietary restrictions which makes finding supplements hard. My kids LOVE these so I'm sticking with them. It's just too hard to find supplements that don't contain ingredients we can't use.

 According to amazon, this product 

• Does Not Contain: Artificial colors and preservative. common allergens yeast, wheat, soy, milk and gluten.

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by SundayCrepes 

I got my kids this D3: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027P4S9U/ref=wms_ohs_product

Personally, I do not mind wool. I've seen sheep sheared and it's not much different than my dog getting groomed. (The sheep may not be as tame as my dog, but it is how the sheep earn a living.) I know not everyone agrees and I respect that.

Thanks!  I think I feel okay about the lanolin as well.  I have used other products with lanolin in them in the past since I knew the sheep were not killed for it.  I think if the company is reputable about how the lanolin is harvested then I'm okay (I'm not vegan). 

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by Sayward 

Vegan D3! (the only one on the market) - http://www.veganstore.com/product/vitashine-vegan-vitamin-D3-spray/all-vitamins

This is the one we have as well.  I don't care for the taste - blech!  But I didn't realize you could spray it on food.  That'll help!  And it'll make it so I can give it to DD!!

[ahimsamom]

Hey Sayward, did you ever get a response from Quantum Nutritionals? I tried to ask them about it as well and still haven't heard anything.....

[Sayward]

I didn't! Super bummed, but I'm just assuming it's not vegan.
 

Originally Posted by ahimsamom 

Hey Sayward, did you ever get a response from Quantum Nutritionals? I tried to ask them about it as well and still haven't heard anything.....