Sports Research Vegan D3+K2 puts 5000 IU of lichen-derived D3 and 100mcg of chickpea-fermented MK-7 into one daily softgel, suspended in coconut MCT oil, in a tapioca-based PlantGel capsule with zero gelatin, zero carrageenan, and zero animal ingredients. It is the same formula as the gummy version, in a smaller package, at a lower cost per serving. For the guy who wants to swallow a pill and move on with his life, this is the play.
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Health & Safety Disclaimer: Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before use, especially if you take blood thinners, have kidney concerns, or are sensitive to coconut.
The Spec Sheet: 5000 IU D3, 100mcg MK-7, One Softgel, Coconut MCT
One softgel daily delivers 5000 IU of VegaDELight vegan D3 from lichen and 100mcg of MenaQ7 MK-7 from fermented chickpeas, suspended in coconut MCT oil inside a PlantGel tapioca capsule. No gelatin. No carrageenan. No animal ingredients of any kind. This is the softgel that took the gummy formula, stripped out the sweeteners, and got on with it.
- 5000 IU Vegan D3 (VegaDELight from Lichen): Plant-based cholecalciferol, the same bioactive form your skin produces in sunlight, without the sunlight requirement. Or the sunburn. Sourced from lichen, not lanolin. The distinction matters if you avoid animal products.
- 100mcg MK-7 K2 (MenaQ7 from Chickpeas): The menaquinone-7 form with a roughly 72-hour half-life. Take it once a day and it runs the calcium-directing signal continuously. Not MK-4, which clears your system before you have finished your coffee.
- Coconut MCT Oil Carrier: Both D3 and K2 are fat-soluble. They need fat to absorb. Coconut MCT oil is already in the softgel. It is the only D3/K2 product in this tier that brings the fat to the party instead of making you remember to eat.
- PlantGel Tapioca Capsule: A tapioca-starch softgel with no gelatin and no carrageenan, turmeric-coated to protect against UV degradation. Sports Research built this capsule technology from the ground up in 2017 specifically to pass Non-GMO Project Verified certification. Most capsule manufacturers did not bother.
- Certifications: Vegan Certified, Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free, soy-free, carrageenan-free. Third-party tested. Made in the USA in a cGMP-compliant facility.
The plain-English version: Most D3 supplements hand you the calcium delivery truck and forget to give it a GPS. Most vegan D3 supplements hand you the truck, the GPS, and forget to put gas in it. This one ships the truck, the GPS, and the fuel already in the tank, because the coconut MCT oil is right there in the softgel. One capsule. Nothing to remember except to swallow it.
The PlantGel Difference: Why the Capsule Actually Matters
Most softgels are made with gelatin from animal bones and hides, or carrageenan from seaweed, and neither clears the Non-GMO Project Verified bar. Sports Research spent years developing the PlantGel capsule specifically because they wanted a vegan softgel that could hold oil and still pass third-party verification. The supplement industry did not ask for it. They built it anyway.
- No Gelatin: Standard softgel shells are made from bovine or porcine gelatin. PlantGel uses non-GMO tapioca starch. Same functionality. Zero animal involvement.
- No Carrageenan: The previous go-to for vegan capsule shells. Associated with digestive concerns in some people. Sports Research cut it. A decision that cost them nothing in efficacy and everything in marketing points with the carrageenan-sensitive crowd.
- Turmeric UV Coating: The outer shell is coated with turmeric powder to protect the D3 and K2 inside from light degradation. D3 is photosensitive. A clear capsule is essentially packaging your supplement in a greenhouse. The turmeric coat is a real quality call, not a superfood branding gimmick.
Put simply: The capsule is not a wrapper. It is the delivery mechanism. A gelatin softgel that lets light degrade your D3 before it hits your gut is not better than a gummy. PlantGel solves the vegan problem, the carrageenan problem, and the light-stability problem in one shot. Most supplement brands solved zero of the three and called it a day.
Who It’s For
This is the softgel for the vegan or clean-label buyer who wants the full D3/K2 stack in one pill, without the gummy format or the gelatin shell. It also fits a specific non-vegan buyer who just wants coconut MCT oil in the capsule and is not fussed about the tapioca shell.
- The Vegan or Plant-Based Lifter: Wants a certified vegan D3/K2 softgel with no animal ingredients anywhere in the formula. This is the product. There are not many others that clear every certification bar at once.
- The Clean-Label Softgel Buyer: Wants the pill format without carrageenan, gelatin, soy, gluten, or synthetic fillers. The other-ingredients list here is coconut MCT oil, tapioca starch, vegetable glycerin, purified water, and turmeric. That is the full list. Nothing to Google.
- The Absorption Optimizer: Wants the coconut MCT oil built in rather than having to remember to take D3 with a fatty meal. The fat-soluble nutrient comes pre-loaded with fat. The forgetful lifter wins.
- The Gummy Upgrader: Tried the SR D3+K2 gummy and liked the formula but wants fewer sweeteners and a lower cost per serving. Same formula, different shell, easier on the wallet.
Skip it if you are:
- Allergic or sensitive to coconut: The coconut MCT oil carrier is right there in the softgel. Tree nut allergy, tree nut concern, this is not your product.
- On blood thinners: K2 can affect how warfarin works. Talk to your doctor before adding this. Not a suggestion.
- Stacking high D3 from multiple sources: Add up your multi, your fish oil, and any standalone D3 before throwing another 5000 IU on top. D3 accumulates. Confirm the right total with a professional.
Pros and Cons
The Advantages
- Fully vegan, fully certified: VegaDELight D3, MenaQ7 K2, PlantGel capsule. Vegan Certified, Non-GMO Project Verified, carrageenan-free.
- Coconut MCT oil carrier: Fat-soluble nutrients shipped with fat already included. Absorption built into the formula.
- MK-7 from chickpeas: Long-acting form with a 72-hour half-life. Once-daily dosing actually works.
- Turmeric UV coating: Protects D3 from light degradation. A real quality call.
- Lower cost per serving than the gummy: Same formula, no sweetener overhead.
The Trade-offs
- Contains coconut: Tree nut allergy or sensitivity is a hard stop.
- 5000 IU is a strong daily dose: Not the right product for anyone already loading D3 from other sources.
- Blood-thinner interaction: K2 requires a doctor conversation if you take warfarin or similar.
- Premium price vs. Nutricost: The PlantGel, MCT oil, and certification stack cost more than a basic gelatin softgel.
The Field: How It Stacks Up
Vegan status, carrier oil, and cost separate the D3/K2 softgel field. No single bottle wins everything.
| Product | Vegan | Carrier | D3 / K2 | Core Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sports Research Softgel | Yes | Coconut MCT | 5000 IU / 100mcg | Best vegan softgel with built-in absorption fat |
| Sports Research Gummies | Yes | Pectin gummy | 5000 IU / 100mcg | Best for pill-fatigued buyers, same formula |
| Nutricost K2+D3 | No | Sunflower oil | 5000 IU / 100mcg | Lowest cost per day, 4-month supply |
| Thorne D3+K2 Drops | Yes | Liquid | Variable / MK-4 | Precise dose control, minimal ingredients |
Sports Research wins on vegan certification and coconut MCT absorption. Nutricost wins on price. The gummy wins on compliance for pill-averse buyers. Thorne wins on dose flexibility. If you are vegan and want a softgel, there is no meaningful competition at this tier.
FAQ
- How many softgels per day?
- One veggie softgel daily with food. The coconut MCT oil inside already provides fat for absorption, but taking it with a meal still helps. Available in 60, 120, and 160-count bottles.
- Is this actually vegan?
- Yes. D3 from lichen, K2 from chickpeas, PlantGel tapioca capsule. No gelatin, no carrageenan, no animal ingredients anywhere. Vegan Certified and Non-GMO Project Verified by independent third parties, not just a self-claim on the label.
- Why coconut MCT oil instead of sunflower oil?
- MCT oil absorbs faster than long-chain fats like sunflower oil, which means the fat-soluble D3 and K2 get to work quicker. It is a meaningful formulation choice, not just a trendy ingredient. If you have a coconut sensitivity, Nutricost’s sunflower-oil version is the right alternative.
- Can I take this on blood thinners?
- Talk to your doctor first. K2 can affect how warfarin works. If you take anticoagulant medication, that conversation happens before you open the bottle.
- What is the turmeric coating for?
- D3 degrades when exposed to light. The turmeric powder on the outer shell acts as a natural UV filter to protect the active ingredients inside. It is not a superfood add-on. It is a stability decision.
Final Verdict: The Vegan Softgel That Actually Thought It Through
Sports Research Vegan D3+K2 is the best-built vegan softgel in the D3/K2 category: lichen D3, chickpea MK-7, coconut MCT oil, PlantGel tapioca capsule, turmeric UV protection, and a certification wall most competitors cannot match. It costs more than the Nutricost gelatin version, and it earns the premium. If you are vegan, or if you just want a fully clean softgel with the fat carrier built in, this is the one. Confirm the live price and count at the link.
Lichen D3. Chickpea MK-7. Coconut MCT. PlantGel. One Softgel.
The vegan D3/K2 softgel that brought its own fat to the party. One capsule. Nothing to remember except to swallow it.
*Price and formula subject to change. Verify on the live listing. Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The Lexicon: Vegan D3+K2 Edition
- VegaDELight D3
- A trademarked vegan cholecalciferol sourced from lichen, one of the only plants that naturally produces D3. The alternative to lanolin-derived D3 for buyers avoiding animal products.
- MenaQ7 MK-7
- A trademarked form of menaquinone-7 derived from fermented chickpeas. Long-acting K2 with a 72-hour half-life, built for once-daily dosing.
- PlantGel
- Sports Research’s proprietary tapioca-based softgel capsule. No gelatin, no carrageenan, Non-GMO Project Verified. Developed in 2017 specifically because existing vegan capsule options did not meet their certification requirements.
- Coconut MCT Oil
- Medium-chain triglycerides from coconut. Absorb faster than long-chain fats. Used here as the carrier oil for fat-soluble D3 and K2, improving absorption without requiring a full meal.
- Turmeric UV Coating
- A natural pigment applied to the outer softgel shell to protect photosensitive D3 from light degradation. A stability feature, not a superfood marketing move.
