Vitamin D3 (Vegan, Lichen-Sourced)
Also known as: vegan D3, lichen vitamin D3, plant-based cholecalciferol, Vitashine
Chemically identical cholecalciferol extracted from lichen rather than sheep's wool lanolin, which lets a product carry vegan and vegetarian claims while keeping the D3 form that raises and holds serum 25(OH)D better than D2. It is used at the same doses as conventional D3 in bone, immune, and general wellness formulas and in plant-based multivitamins. Supply is more limited and the raw material costs more per IU than lanolin-derived D3.
Research summary
Identical to lanolin-derived D3: hydroxylated in liver and kidney to calcitriol, which regulates calcium and phosphate handling and immune signaling.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of compound.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 IU | 1,000–2,000 IU | 4,000 IU | 4,000 IU |
NIH ODS — UL is 100 mcg (4,000 IU) per day for adults
Same numbers as lanolin D3: RDA 600 IU (15 mcg) for adults and 800 IU (20 mcg) over 70; 40 IU = 1 mcg; UL 4,000 IU. Take with a fat-containing meal. Dose-response trials of D3 have used 400 to 4,000 IU/day, and one 3-year trial tested 10,000 IU/day above the UL under monitoring. No trials specific to lichen-derived material were located, but the molecule is the same cholecalciferol.
Source material: lichen (Cladonia rangiferina) extract
As supplied: Supplied as an oil or as a 100,000 IU/g dry powder on a plant-based carrier; 2,000 IU ≈ 20 mg of powder at that potency
Forms of Vitamin D
| Form | Typical dose | Element % | Formats | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D3 (Vegan, Lichen-Sourced) | 1,000–2,000 IU | — | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Softgel, Gummy, Liquid | mid |
| Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) | 1,000–2,000 IU | — | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Softgel, Gummy, Liquid | low |
| Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol) | 400–2,000 IU | — | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Softgel, Gummy, Liquid | low |
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Vegan claim requires a non-gelatin shell (HPMC capsule or plant-based softgel) and vegan carrier oils.
Formulation notes
Pairs with vitamin K2 (MK-7) and magnesium as with standard D3. Choose when the whole formula must be vegan.
- Has an upper limit
Sources
- Vitamin D — Health Professional Fact SheetNIH ODS
- A dose-response study of vitamin D3 supplementation in healthy Chinese: a 5-arm randomized, placebo-controlled trial. (Yao P, 2016)PubMed
- Effect of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation on Volumetric Bone Density and Bone Strength: A Randomized Clinical Trial. (Burt LA, 2019)PubMed
Related ingredients
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)
VitaminThe form of vitamin D the body makes from sunlight and the most effective supplemental form for raising blood levels.
Typical: 1,000–2,000 IU
Cod Liver Oil
Fatty acidCod liver oil is pressed from the livers of Atlantic cod.
Typical: 1,000–2,000 mg
Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol)
VitaminErgocalciferol is the plant and fungal form of vitamin D, produced by UV irradiation of ergosterol from yeast or mushrooms.
Typical: 400–2,000 IU
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
VitaminAscorbic acid is the reference form of vitamin C and the most common form in supplements; NIH ODS notes its bioavailability equals that of vitamin C naturally present in food.
Typical: 250–1,000 mg
Probiotic Blend (Multi-Strain)
ProbioticA generic placeholder for a multi-strain probiotic blend, typically combining several Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species and sometimes Streptococcus thermophilus or a Bacillus spore.
Typical: 10–50 B CFU