Ingredient Science: Vitamin D—Source, Serving Size and the Number on the Label

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and supports normal bone mineralization. When parents compare vitamin D products, the label may show several different details—nutrient form, ingredient source, serving size and amount delivered per serving. Those details answer different questions.

The amount needs age context

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends 400 IU (10 mcg) of vitamin D daily for infants younger than 1 year and 600 IU (15 mcg) daily for children older than 1 year. The AAP also emphasizes that most healthy children with a balanced diet do not need extra vitamin supplementation beyond recommended intakes, and advises families to discuss supplements with their pediatrician.

Source and form are formulation choices

Vitamin D supplements commonly use vitamin D2 or vitamin D3. Current DocVites formulation specifications use vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), with lichen as the source in the infant vitamin D formulation. Source and form are labeling and formulation details; they are not evidence that a commercial product is endorsed by the AAP or that one source is clinically superior for every child.

Read the labeled serving

The FDA Supplement Facts panel ties the nutrient amount to a stated serving size. Families should use the finished product label for the final ingredient declaration, serving directions and amount delivered per serving, while also considering fortified foods, formula and other supplements in the child’s routine.

Where vitamin D appears in DocVites

Vitamin D3 is part of the current formulation architecture for DocVites Infant Vitamin D Drops, DocVites Infant Multivitamin Drops, DocVites Children’s Multivitamin with Prebiotics and DocVites Multivitamin Chewable Tablets. The finished Supplement Facts panel is the controlling source for each product’s final amount and serving size.

Educational information only. This article describes normal nutrient physiology and label context; it does not claim that a DocVites product diagnoses, treats, cures or prevents disease. Follow the finished product label and discuss individual supplementation questions with your child’s pediatrician.