Choosing a vitamin D supplement for women in the UK should be simple. From October to March, the sun is too weak for your skin to make enough vitamin D. That is why the NHS advises everyone to consider 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day in autumn and winter.
This guide covers everything you need to know about vitamin D for women: how much you need, who needs it all year and the signs your vitamin D may be low. It also shows how to pick the right vitamin D supplement, and why so many women now choose vitamin D gummies.
Then we show you what is inside our All Day Energy gummies. They give 10 µg vitamin D in every daily serving, plus six more vitamins, in a tasty orange gummy.
Vitamin D for women, the essentials
What is vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a vitamin your body makes when sunlight touches your skin. You also get a little from food.
Vitamin D2 and vitamin D3
There are two main forms you will see on labels:
- Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) comes from plant and fungal sources. It is common in vegan supplements.
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the form your skin makes. It usually comes from lanolin or lichen in supplements.
Both forms count towards your daily vitamin D.
What vitamin D does in your body
Vitamin D has approved roles in the UK. These are the ones women ask about most:
- Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
- Vitamin D contributes to normal muscle function.
These are the reasons vitamin D is part of so many women's daily routines, especially in winter.
Why vitamin D matters for women in the UK
Short winter days
From October to early March, UK sunlight does not have enough UVB for your skin to make vitamin D. It does not matter how long you spend outside. The sun is simply too low in the sky.
Busy, indoor lives
Many women work indoors, commute in the dark in winter and spend weekends busy with family. Even in summer, some women do not get much sun on their skin.
Sun cream and covering up
Sun cream protects your skin, and covering up is a personal choice. Both mean your skin makes less vitamin D.
Food alone is not enough
Vitamin D is found in only a few foods:
- Oily fish like salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel
- Red meat
- Egg yolks
- Fortified foods, like some breakfast cereals and fat spreads
It is hard to get 10 micrograms a day from food alone. That is why a vitamin D supplement for women makes sense in the darker months.
How much vitamin D do women need?
Women and men need the same amount of vitamin D. Here is the NHS advice for adults.
| Who | How much | When |
|---|---|---|
| All adults | 10 micrograms a day | October to March |
| People who are rarely outdoors | 10 micrograms a day | All year |
| People who cover most of their skin outside | 10 micrograms a day | All year |
| People with dark skin | 10 micrograms a day | Consider all year |
| Pregnant or breastfeeding women | 10 micrograms a day | All year |
| Upper limit for adults | No more than 100 micrograms a day |
Micrograms and IU
You will see vitamin D written in micrograms (µg) or international units (IU). 10 micrograms is the same as 400 IU.
How much is too much?
The NHS says adults should not take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day. Taking too much for a long time can be harmful. So keep to the label, and add up all the supplements you take.
Who should take vitamin D all year?
The NHS advises some people to consider a vitamin D supplement all year round, not just in winter:
- People who are not often outdoors, for example if you work nights or are housebound
- People who live in a care home
- People who usually wear clothes that cover most of their skin when outside
- People with dark skin, for example with an African, African-Caribbean or south Asian background
Vitamin D in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to take 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day. The NHS also advises avoiding supplements that contain vitamin A (retinol) in pregnancy. So choose a pregnancy vitamin, and speak to your midwife or GP.
Low vitamin D symptoms in women
Many women search for low vitamin D symptoms. Low vitamin D does not always cause signs. When it does, people often mention:
- Aches in the bones or lower back
- Muscle aches or weak muscles
- Feeling tired a lot of the time
These signs are common and can have many causes. Only a blood test can show your vitamin D level. If you are worried, speak to your GP.
For the full guide, read low vitamin D symptoms in women and when to get tested.
How to choose the best vitamin D supplement for women in the UK
There are hundreds of vitamin D supplements in UK shops. Use this checklist to find the right one for you.
1. The amount of vitamin D per daily serving
Check the micrograms per daily serving. For most adults, 10 µg is the amount the NHS suggests. High-strength products are best kept for when your doctor advises them.
2. Your total from all supplements
Vitamin D appears in many multivitamins, beauty gummies and immune products. Add them up. Keep your total under 100 µg a day.
3. Vitamin D on its own or with other vitamins
Vitamin D only
A vitamin D only supplement gives you one nutrient. It suits you if you already take a multivitamin.
Vitamin D in a multivitamin
A multivitamin with vitamin D gives you several nutrients in one step. It suits women who want one simple daily habit instead of a cupboard full of jars.
4. The format you will actually take
| Format | Good for | Things to check |
|---|---|---|
| Tablets | Low cost per day | Some people dislike swallowing them |
| Capsules | No taste | Often need water |
| Oral sprays | Quick to use | Need to remember several sprays |
| Vitamin D gummies | Taste, ease, no water needed | Sugar statement on the label |
The best vitamin D supplement for women is the one you remember to take every day. That is where vitamin D gummies shine.
5. Label warnings
Read who the product is for. Check if it is suitable for pregnancy, and whether you need to speak to your doctor first.
Why women love vitamin D gummies
Vitamin D gummies for adults, not just kids
Gummies used to be for children. Now vitamin D gummies for adults are one of the most searched supplement formats in the UK. They suit busy women for three simple reasons.
1. They taste good
A daily vitamin should not feel like a chore. A tasty gummy is something you look forward to.
2. No water, no swallowing
You can chew vitamin D gummies at your desk, in the car or on the school run.
3. Easy to stick with
Consistency is what counts with vitamin D in winter. When a habit is easy and enjoyable, you keep doing it.
Are vitamin D gummies as good as tablets?
Both give you vitamin D. The format does not make the vitamin D stronger or weaker. What matters is the amount per daily serving and whether you take it every day.
Want to know how many gummies to take? Read how many vitamin gummies you should take a day.
Yumi All Day Energy, our vitamin D gummies for adults
If you want a vitamin D supplement for women that also covers other key vitamins, All Day Energy gummies are made for you.
What is inside All Day Energy gummies
Two orange gummies give you:
| Nutrient | Per 2 gummies | % NRV |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D | 10 µg | 200% |
| Vitamin A | 750 µg | 94% |
| Vitamin E | 20 mg | 167% |
| Vitamin C | 40 mg | 50% |
| Niacin (vitamin B3) | 10 mg | 63% |
| Vitamin B6 | 2 mg | 143% |
| Biotin | 10 µg | 20% |
| Lutein | 300 µg | No NRV |
| Lycopene | 300 µg | No NRV |
The vitamin D in every serving
Each daily serving gives 10 µg vitamin D, the amount the NHS suggests for adults in autumn and winter. That is 200% of the nutrient reference value.
- Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
- Vitamin D contributes to normal muscle function.
Six more vitamins working alongside vitamin D
For energy and tiredness
- Vitamin C, niacin and vitamin B6 contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin C, niacin, vitamin B6 and biotin contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
That is why we called them All Day Energy.
For your immune system
- Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D and vitamin B6 contribute to the normal function of the immune system.
Four vitamins that contribute to normal immune function, in one gummy. That makes it an easy pick for the winter months.
For your mind
- Vitamin C, niacin, vitamin B6 and biotin contribute to normal psychological function.
For your eyes, bones and muscles
- Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
- Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones and normal muscle function.
For your cells
- Vitamin E and vitamin C contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Why women choose Yumi vitamin D gummies
Made for real life
Two gummies a day. No water, no big tablets and no measuring. Just a tasty step you can take with breakfast.
Clean, simple ingredients
- 100% vegan
- Gluten free
- Palm oil free
- Natural orange flavour
- Colours from fruit, vegetable and plant concentrates
Vitamin D plus more in one jar
Many women take a separate vitamin D, vitamin C and B vitamin. All Day Energy brings them together, so your routine is simpler and your cupboard is tidier.
A full month in every jar
Each jar holds 60 gummies. That is 30 days of vitamin D gummies.
How to take All Day Energy gummies
- Chew 2 gummies a day.
- Take them at the same time each day, like with breakfast.
- Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
- Store in a cool, dry place, out of reach of young children.
Who All Day Energy is for
- Women who want an easy vitamin D supplement in autumn and winter
- Busy women who want several vitamins in one daily step
- Anyone who dislikes swallowing tablets
Who should check first
All Day Energy is not intended for children. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take any medicines, speak to your doctor before use. All Day Energy contains vitamin A, so it is not suitable in pregnancy. Choose a pregnancy vitamin instead.
Yumi All Day Energy gummies
10 µg vitamin D plus vitamins A, C, E, B6, niacin and biotin.
Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
Orange flavour, vegan, 30-day supply.
Already taking Hair, Skin & Nails gummies?
Our Hair, Skin & Nails gummies also give 10 µg vitamin D per daily serving, with biotin, zinc and vitamin C. Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system, and biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and skin.
If you take both, you get 20 µg vitamin D a day. That is still well under the 100 µg upper limit.
Vitamin D only or All Day Energy?
| Feature | Vitamin D only supplement | Yumi All Day Energy gummies |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D per day | Varies by brand | 10 µg (200% NRV) |
| Other vitamins | None | A, C, E, B6, niacin, biotin |
| Format | Tablet, capsule, spray or gummy | Chewable gummy |
| Vegan | Varies | Yes |
| Good for | People who already take a multivitamin | Women who want one simple daily step |
A simple winter vitamin D routine for women
Morning
- Take 2 All Day Energy gummies with breakfast.
- Open the curtains and get daylight early.
Daytime
- Take a short walk outside at lunch, even on cloudy days.
- Add an egg or oily fish to one meal.
Every week
- Plan oily fish 1 or 2 times a week.
- Check your supplements so you do not double up.
Every month
- Reorder before your jar runs out, so you do not miss days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best vitamin D supplement for women in the UK?
The best one for you gives 10 µg vitamin D a day, fits your routine and suits your stage of life. If you want vitamin D plus other vitamins in a tasty format, All Day Energy gummies give 10 µg in every serving.
Do women need more vitamin D than men?
No. The NHS advice is the same: 10 micrograms a day in autumn and winter for adults.
Are vitamin D gummies good for adults?
Yes. Vitamin D gummies for adults give vitamin D in an easy, chewable format. Check the amount per daily serving and the sugar statement on the label.
Can I take vitamin D gummies every day?
Yes, at the amount on the label. Do not take more than 100 micrograms of vitamin D a day from all sources unless a doctor advises it.
When is the best time to take vitamin D gummies?
There is no set time. Pick a time you will remember, like breakfast, and take them every day.
Where can I buy vitamin D gummies in the UK?
You can buy Yumi All Day Energy vitamin D gummies online with UK delivery.
Can I take vitamin D gummies while pregnant?
Pregnant women are advised to take 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day from a supplement without vitamin A. All Day Energy contains vitamin A, so choose a pregnancy vitamin and speak to your midwife or GP.
How long does a jar of All Day Energy last?
One jar has 60 gummies. At 2 gummies a day, that is 30 days.
Keep reading
- Low vitamin D symptoms in women and when to get tested
- Do you need vitamin D in autumn and winter?
- Vitamin D gummies, dosage and safety
- How to choose women's multivitamin gummies
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.