Best Vegan Supplement Brands Review

In this vegan supplements review, we show consumer ratings, dosage, usage direction, ingredients, cost and discuss brand quality (including quality certificates & manufacturer details), nutrition, flavors (if any), etc. 

We have already done the homework for you to present the best vegan supplement brands on the market in terms of quality and track record so that you don’t have to waste your time and money!

Note:

If you have a medical condition (including any allergies), taking medications, anticipate surgery, trying to conceive, pregnant, lactating, or under the age of 18, consult your healthcare professional to know how these supplements may support or have any adverse effects to your personal circumstances.

1. Best Vegan Vitamin B12 Supplements Review

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The activities of this vitamin include supporting good cognitive functions especially mood and memory, lowering the risks of neurodegenerative diseases [1] [2], aids in red blood cell production (lowering the risk of anemia [3]), for better immune [4], supports healthy skin & hair, produces energy, synthesizes DNA,  aids digestion, and for heart health [5].

Why B12 Dietary Supplements Have Higher Doses Than Minimum Recommended Dietary Allowance?

Your body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12 is dependent on the intrinsic factor, in other words, the substance released by the stomach to absorb vitamin B12.

To Illustrate this better, only about 10 mcg of a 500 mcg oral supplement may actually be absorbed if you’re healthy [6]

People with B12 absorption disorder are mostly advised to take vitamin B12 in high doses [7].

Further, vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin and because there is no known toxicity at high dosage, there is no established upper limit [8].

i. Jarrow Formulas Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin (Amazon Best Seller!) Review

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Dosage: 500 mcg/servings: 100 

Cost: $0.05 per serving (as of Jan 2019) 

Dosage: 5000 mcg/servings: 60 

Cost: $0.18 per serving (as of Jan 2019)

• Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 (from 1880 online consumer ratings)
• Is it vegan? yes
• Type: lozenges
• Serving size: 1
• Flavor: cherry
• Direction by the manufacturer:  Take 1 lozenge per day or as directed by your qualified healthcare professional. Can be chewed or left to dissolve in mouth

Jarrow Formulas from USA is a renowned brand in the dietary supplements industry providing supplements worldwide since 1977.

Honestly, one of the best flavors I’ve tasted for a supplement, making it much easier to consume. These lozenges have a very pleasant cherry flavor and can be chewed or left to dissolve in mouth.

The good thing about Jarrow formulas B12 is that it consists of methylcobalamin which is the biologically active form making it much easier to absorb by your body.

Do note that B12 is best absorbed in small quantities and with frequent intakes. If you feel the dosage provided by a single lozenge is more than what you require (especially with 5000 mcg dose) you may split the tablet into the required size.

This is a brand you can trust with quality, manufactured in a cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) certified facility.

It has no wheat, no gluten, no soybeans, and no peanuts/tree nuts.

Ingredients:

Methylcobalamin (methyl B12), xylitol, cellulose, stearic acid (vegetable source), natural cherry flavor, citric acid, magnesium stearate (vegetable source) and silicon dioxide.

ii. Garden of Life–mykind Organics Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) Review

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• Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 (from 991 online consumer ratings)
• Is it vegan? certified vegan
• Type: liquid oral spray
• Serving size: 1 spray (0.41ml)
• Servings: 140 (58ml/2oz.)
• Dosage: 500 mcg
• Cost: $0.06 per serving (as of Jan 2019)
• Flavor: raspberry
• Direction by the manufacturer:  shake well and spray into your mouth

This is another B12 supplement that comes from one of the top brands in the natural products industry.

This is not your typical vitamin B12 supplement that comes as a capsule or lozenge form, rather a spray which is a lovely innovation for a dietary supplement. The beauty about this product is the convenience it provides.  

You can take it wherever you want and with a single spray, you’ve got your B12 covered in a matter of seconds which is a mouth-watering & sweet raspberry spray.

What is different about this B12 supplement is that it is made from real, nutritious foods. Better yet, it is made using Garden of Life’s patent-pending Clean Tablet Technology where the vitamins are made using only certified organic, and Non-GMO Project Verified foods.

So, if you are looking for a B12 that also gives added benefits of a whole foods blend other than getting your methylcobalamin (made from real food-over 30 fruits, vegetables, and herbs) then this supplement is for you.

One spray daily gives you 500 mcg worth of vegan vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin besides other nutrients you get from the organic food blend.

It’s USDA certified organic, vegan certified, gluten-free certified, and certified non-GMO.

Ingredients:

vitamin b12 500 mcg, certified organic food blend 2 mg +,organic beet (root), organic carrot (root), organic spinach (leaf), organic broccoli (flower & stem), organic tomato (fruit), organic kale (leaf), organic red cabbage (leaf), organic parsley (leaf), organic brussels sprout (leaf), organic green bell pepper (fruit), organic cucumber (gourd), organic celery (stalk), organic garlic (bulb), organic ginger (root), organic green onion (root), organic cauliflower (flower & stem), organic asparagus (flower and stem), organic strawberry (fruit), organic  cherry (fruit), organic blackberry (fruit),  organic blueberry (fruit), and organic raspberry (fruit). 

iii. Solgar Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) Review

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• Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 (from 442 online consumer ratings)
• Is it vegan? yes
• Type: sublingual pills (nuggets)
• Serving size: 1 nugget
• Servings: 250 nuggets
• Dosage: 1000 mcg
• Cost: $0.09 per serving (as of Jan 2019)
• Flavor: cherry
• Direction by the manufacturer:  Take one (1) nugget daily, preferably with a meal or as directed by a healthcare practitioner. Place nugget under the tongue for 30 seconds before swallowing.

Solgar from USA is a well-known brand in the supplements industry manufacturing quality nutritional supplements for over 60 years since 1947.

It’s an award-winning company with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, located in New Jersey, meeting the highest standards for machinery, procedures, and quality control.

Solgar vitamin B12 comes with methylcobalamin which is the active form of vitamin B12 in your metabolism. They are non-GMO, certified gluten-free, and free of wheat, soy, yeast, sugar, sodium, artificial flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, and colors.  

The Solgar Gold Standard™

• Solgar has a team of experts dedicated in the R&D department to supply products which are thoroughly researched.
• Solgar’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility meets the highest standard for machinery, procedures, and quality control.
• With their own manufacturing, laboratory, and distribution facilities, they have control over quality throughout the entire process.
• Solgar has its own, on-site inspection for quality assurance of each product before distribution to meet their Gold Standard™ for excellence.
• Their rigorous quality control system in place ensures product testing at multiple stages from raw material to finished product.
• Despite not required by Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) they have one of the finest water filtrations with a state of the art water purification system.
• HEPA filters are in place to remove airborne particulates in the air that circulates through the Solgar facility
• Solgar uses food-grade cleaners to sanitize their equipment between batches.
• Rather than using the more common solvent-based coating Solgar was one of the first in the natural products industry to use a natural, water-based coating which greatly improves the absorption of nutrients
• Solgar uses recyclable glass bottles which are non-leaching, non-porous, and odorless protecting against heat, light, and moisture.

Ingredients:

vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin), mannitol*, vegetable stearic acid, silica, vegetable magnesium stearate, natural flavors, vegetable cellulose.

2. Best Vegan Omega-3 Supplements Review

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Omega-3 consists of three important fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) [13].

The Benefits of Omega 3:

• The development of sight and nervous system of infants
• Lowering the risks of heart disease & high blood pressure, keeping your heart healthy
• Reduces stiffness & joint pain
• Helps to alleviate depression and fight against mental deterioration
• Reduces inflammation and provide moderate support for immunity

Fish Oil vs Algae Omega 3 Supplements

• Unlike fish oil, algae omega 3 is cruelty-free, environmentally friendly & sustainable
• By consuming omega 3 from algae, you are getting it from the original source removing the middleman the fish,  since fish get their omega 3 from algae as well.
• Though fish oil is limited for omnivores, algae omega 3 can be consumed by anyone including  vegans,  vegetarians and people who are allergic to fish
• Both fish oil and algae oil contain DHA which is highly beneficial
• By avoiding fish oil you may avoid accumulated toxins such as mercury,  dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and peroxides with spoiled fish oil.

Vegan Omega 3—EPA & DHA

DEVA™ Vegan Omega 3 DHA & EPA Supplement Review

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• Amazon reviews: 4.1 out of 5 (225 reviews)
• Is it vegan?  certified by the Vegan Society
• Type: capsules
• Dosage: 200 mg (omega 3 DHA+EPA)
• Serving size: 1 capsule
• Servings: 90 vegan capsules
• Cost: $0.23 per serving (based on lowest price as of Jan 2019)
• Direction by the manufacturer: For adults take one (1) or two (2) vegan capsules a day with food or as directed by a healthcare professional.

DEVA™ DHA + EPA supplement is powered by the renowned omega 3 producer ‘life’s DHA’. From start to finish, it is produced in an FDA-inspected facility with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and regulations with controls to make sure high-quality standards are met.

It’s rich in both DHA and EPA extracted from microalgae (i.e. schizochytrium sp microalgae).

Do note that this supplement contains vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) as well to further enhance the benefits of omega 3 [14]

These supplements come in the form of delayed-release capsules that may help reduce aftertaste and repeat issues.

The other benefit of the supplements is, as the algae is grown outside of the ocean you have no worries with ocean-borne contaminants such as PCBs and dioxins.

The supplement is free of carrageenan, yeast, wheat, gluten, sugar, salt, hexane, and artificial colors.

Ingredients:

Microalgae oil (50% DHA+EPA), vegan capsule (cellulose), high oleic sunflower oil, organic orange oil, mixed tocopherols, silica, sunflower lecithin, rosemary extract, ascorbyl palmitate 

Vegan Omega 3—ALA (alpha-linolenic acid)

DEVA™ Omega-3 ALA Organic Flaxseed Oil Supplement Review

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• Ratings:4.3 out of 5 (from 349 online consumer ratings)
• Is it vegan? certified vegan by Vegan Society
• Type: capsules
• Dosage: 535 mg (omega 3 – ALA)
• Serving size: 2 capsules
• Servings: 45 (pack of two, 90-count per unit & a total of 180 counts)
• Cost: $0.29 per serving (based on lowest price as of Jan 2019)
• Direction by the manufacturer: two (2) capsules a day with food or as directed by a healthcare professional

This omega-3 (ALA) supplement from DEVA™ comes with organic, unrefined and cold-pressed flaxseed oil which is one of the top plant sources for ALA.

It’s 100% vegan and no fishy aftertaste unlike with fish oil omega-3 supplements which can be unpleasant!

The supplement is also free of yeast, soy, wheat, gluten, starch, sugar, salt, hexane, and artificial color.

About DEVA:

Founded in 2003, DEVA™ is a pioneer distributor of unique vitamins, minerals, and food supplements in US & overseas that are suitable for vegans.

Their products are manufactured in GMP certified and FDA regulated facilities to meet the quality standards.

DEVA™ is a proud member of Green America, a non-profit organization that brings together like-minded businesses with similar intentions to support organic farms, fair trade, and cruelty-free products.

They also help non-profit organizations involved in environmental and animal rights causes.  Some of these organizations are The Vegan Society, Arbor Day Foundation (dedicated to planting trees), Co-Op America, and American Forests Org.

Ingredients:

Flaxseed oil (organic), vegan capsule (plant cellulose), organic orange oil, silica, mixed tocopherols

3. Best Vegan Calcium Supplement Review

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Besides the role of calcium in bone growth & maintenance, it is also required to regulate heart rhythm, supports muscles, regulates blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and involved in nerve transmission, and many other functions.

DEVA™ Vegan Calcium Supplement Review (with vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium, vitamin C and boron for overall bone health)

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• Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 (from 233 online consumer ratings)
• Is it vegan? certified vegan by the Vegan Society
• Type: tablets
• Dosage: 1000 mg (calcium)
• Serving size: 3 tablets
• Servings: 90 tablets
• Cost: $0.17 per serving (based on lowest price as of Jan 2019)
• Direction by the manufacturer: for adults, take three (3) tablets per day with food or as directed by a healthcare professional

According to FDA, regular exercise and a healthy diet with enough calcium would help teens and young adult women to maintain good bone health and may reduce their risk of osteoporosis later in life.

By combining calcium (amino acid chelate, carbonate, malate, and citrate), magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin K, zinc, boron, copper, and vitamin C, DEVA™ has specially formulated this product with essential nutrients to support strong bones and healthy calcium levels for other bodily functions.

Further, other ingredients like horsetail herb silica extract, inulin (prebiotic) and l-lysine (amino acid) also increase the bioavailability of calcium in the body.

To ensure the safeness of this supplement DEVA™ delivers the tablets in BPA free bottles.

These tablets are also free of yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, sugar, salt, and hexane.

Ingredients:

calcium (carbonate, amino acid chelate, malate, citrate), magnesium (oxide, chelate), vitamin d2 (ergocalciferol), vitamin k (phytonadione), zinc (amino acid chelate), copper (amino acid chelate), vitamin c (ascorbic acid), horsetail herb extract (7% silica), l-lysine (amino acid chelate), inulin (prebiotic), boron (amino acid chelate).

Other ingredients: cellulose, vegetable stearic acid, vegetable magnesium stearate, croscarmellose sodium, silica, hypromellose, vegetable glycerin.

4. Best Vegan Vitamin D Supplement Review

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Vitamin D plays an important role in bone health [9] (including teeth), fighting against diseases [10] (immune health), lowering the risk of heart disease [11], regulating mood [12], and supporting healthy muscles.

Doctor’s Best Vitamin D3 Supplement Review

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• Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 (from 170 online consumer ratings)
• Is it vegan? registered with UK Vegan Society
• Type: capsule
• Dosage: 2500 IU
• Serving size: 1 veggie capsule
• Servings: 60 veggie capsules
• Cost: $0.12 per serving (based on lowest price as of Jan 2019)
• Direction by the manufacturer: Take one capsule up to twice a day preferably with food or as recommended by a nutritionally informed physician

Doctor’s Best is a physician-founded brand in 1990 manufacturing in US. It’s a company which offers more than 200 products manufactured in cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) certified facilities.

According to the producer, the ingredients are well researched, produced to meet the highest quality standards, and thoroughly tested in every stage from raw materials to finished product.

It is a brand that is committed to being transparent through education and communication and doesn’t want to conceal anything from you, the consumer.

They also work with nutritional scientists who are developing new ingredients to determine the most potent way to provide desired results.

Doctor’s Best vegan D3 is a plant source of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) which is powered by Vitashine D3, the superior form of supplemental vitamin D compared to vitamin D2.

Vitashine is registered with the Vegan Society, and their research data is validated by independent laboratories.

The vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is sustainably harvested from an organism called a lichen. A lichen is a composite organism that has a symbiotic relationship with algae or cyanobacteria.

It’s non-GMO and free of gluten & soy.

Ingredients:

Vitashine vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) 2500 IU, microcrystalline cellulose, modified cellulose (vegetarian capsule), maltodextrin, starch, sucrose, silicon dioxide, d-alpha tocopherol, ascorbyl palmitate.

5. Best Vegan Iron Supplement Review

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Iron is an essential mineral and the body needs iron for energy, for a healthy brain, pregnancy, skin, nails, hair, and functioning of muscles.

Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Iron Supplement Review

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• Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 (from 585 online consumer ratings)
• Is it vegan? certified vegan
• Type: capsules
• Dosage: 22 mg (iron)
• Serving size: 1 capsule
• Servings: 30 capsules
• Cost: $0.38 per serving (as of Jan 2019)
• Direction by the manufacturer: adults take 1 capsule daily. May be taken with or without food. Not intended for children

Garden of Life is a prominent brand in the natural products industry where most of the products are certified organic, non-GMO verified and vegan certified.

Getting our nutrition from healthy food is the mantra for Garden of Life when they make supplements. They are so fanatic about food (for good reasons) and they start with real food when they develop supplements.

These pills come with gentle whole food non-constipating iron, vitamins C, B-12, and folate for better absorption & bioavailability of iron. The probiotic and enzyme blend with 23 raw fruits and vegetables which come with natural food cofactors further support easy, healthy digestion & nutrition.

According to Garden of Life, this supplement supports blood & heart health, better immunity, reproductive health, healthy eyes, and overall mental & physical energy.

It’s raw (produced below 115º F), Non-GMO Project Verified, certified vegan, gluten-free, and no synthetic binders, fillers, artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors or additives

6. Best Vegan Zinc Supplement Review

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Zinc is an “essential trace element” because only small amounts are needed for the maintenance of health, though not a negligible mineral.

It is essential for metabolism, immune function, cell repair, blood clotting, thyroid function, skin health, and eye health.

Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Zinc Supplement Review

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• Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 (from 486 online consumer ratings)
• Is it vegan? certified vegan
• Type: capsules
• Dosage: 30 mg (zinc)
• Serving size: 2 capsules
• Servings: 30 vegan capsules
• Cost: $0.31 per serving (as of Jan 2019)
• Direction by the manufacturer: adults take 2 capsules daily. May be taken with or without food. Capsules can be opened. Contents can be taken directly with water or raw juices. Not intended for children.

Produced by Garden of Life (USA), this zinc supplement comes in a whole food form which enables the natural recognition of nutrients by the body.

The zinc whole food supplement consists of 23 vegetables & fruits together with food cofactors (to assist in biochemical transformations) and 75 alkalizing trace minerals to give you the aiding antioxidants, and vitamins. Further, live probiotics and enzymes support healthy & better digestion.

It’s raw, which means that they are produced below 115º F, and contains no high heat, synthetic binders or fillers, artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors, additives, gluten, and it is non-GMO.

Further, it is specially formulated with 30 mg of high potency whole food zinc plus vitamin C which provide better results together than in isolation. The supplement provides 200% of daily value for zinc and 100% of the daily value for vitamin C.

7. Best Vegan Iodine Supplement Review

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Iodine is a chemical element. The body needs iodine but cannot make it, hence the required iodine must come from our diet. The thyroid gland needs iodine to make hormones.

Iodine deficiency and the resulting low levels of thyroid hormone can cause women to stop ovulating, leading to infertility. Low Iodine levels can also lead to an autoimmune disease of the thyroid and may have a higher risk of thyroid cancer.

Some researchers think that iodine deficiency might also increase the risk of other cancers such as prostate, breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer.

Iodine deficiency can have a serious impact during pregnancy for both the mother and the baby as well. It can mean high blood pressure for the mother and pose a risk of mental retardation for the baby.

Note:

If you have an allergy to iodine (potassium iodide) it is highly recommended to discuss with your doctor before taking an iodine supplement.

Pure Encapsulations – Iodine Supplement (potassium iodide) Review

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• Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 (from 195 online consumer ratings)
• Is it vegan? yes
• Type: capsule
• Dosage: 225 mcg
• Serving size: 1 capsule
• Servings: 120 capsules
• Cost: $0.13 per serving (as of Jan 2019)
• Direction by the manufacturer:  1-2 capsules daily, in divided doses, with meals.

Pure Encapsulations is a brand that manufactures in its own state-of-the-art facility in Massachusetts (US). It is registered for GMP (NSF) in the US, GMP certified in Canada and complies with the standards of the United States Pharmacopeia (a nonprofit organization that sets standards for dietary supplements).

The independent labs verify the potency and purity of ingredients using modern equipment and test methods which include HPLC and GC-MS.

As per the manufacturer, these hypoallergenic, research-based dietary supplements are developed with a lot of attention to detail, using pure ingredients to reach the desired results to benefit all patients, even the most sensitive.

The premium raw ingredients are exclusively sourced from reliable & finest suppliers from US, France, Japan, Switzerland, Germany and Italy who meet Pure Encapsulations’ meticulous testing and quality standards.

They are free from wheat, gluten, GMOs, peanuts, magnesium stearate, hydrogenated fat, artificial sweeteners, colors, coatings, known allergens,  unnecessary binders, fillers, preservatives, environmental contaminants, and other unnecessary excipients.

The manufacturing is done in an environment where temperature, humidity, and dust are controlled. All their equipments are sterilized before every production run.

Pure Encapsulations goes to great lengths being transparent as a manufacturer by having an ‘open plant’ policy for the customers and prospects. You will be amazed that you can inspect their immaculate facility without pre-notification at any time within working hours. Yes, nothing to hide when you know you’re following the best prevailing standards.

Ingredients:

Iodine (as potassium iodide) 225 mcg. Other ingredients: hypo-allergenic plant fiber (cellulose), capsule (cellulose, water).

Note:

For any of the supplements, should any adverse reactions occur discontinue use and consult your doctor immediately. Keep supplements out of the reach of children. Store the supplements in a cool dry place. Do not use if the supplement seal is missing or damaged.

References:

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21671542

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9155210

[3] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351360

[4] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-926-vitamin%20b12.aspx?activeingredientid=926

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0014047/

[6] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/#h2

[7] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/#h2

[8] https://www.consumerlab.com/RDAs/

[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8642450

[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20219962

[11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2726624/

[12] http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2008.02008.x/abstract

[13] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/omega-3-fats/

[14] http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/feature-story/vitamin-e-protects-omega-3-fatty-acids-and-brain