Vitamin D3 and K2: drops or capsules, which form suits you?

Vitamin D3 and K2 are often sold together, sometimes as drops, sometimes as capsules. The vitamins are the same; what differs is how you take them. This comparison looks at what makes a difference day to day and helps you find the form you’ll be happy to take every day.

Why take vitamin D3 and K2 together?

Both vitamins play a part in your bones. Vitamin D and vitamin K contribute to the maintenance of normal bones¹. Vitamin D also contributes to the normal function of the immune system¹. Why the two are so often combined in one product is explained in our article Why take vitamin D3 with K2?

Both vitamins are fat-soluble. In liposomal products such as our Liposomal Vitamin D3+K2 (Capsules), they’re enclosed in tiny vesicles made of phospholipids. That describes how the vitamins are packaged, not the dosage form: in general, there are liposomal drops as well as liposomal capsules.

Drops: easy to fine-tune and easy to swallow

You count out the drops and take them straight from a spoon or in a little liquid, as the label tells you. That makes drops a more comfortable choice if you find capsules hard to swallow. And you’re not alone: in a survey carried out in eleven GP practices, 37.4% of 1,051 participants said they had found it difficult to swallow tablets or capsules at some point. Women reported this more often than men².

There’s another point in favour of drops: you can adjust the amount drop by drop, for example if your doctor has recommended a particular daily amount. Shake the bottle before use if the label says so, and once it’s open, follow the storage instructions on the pack.

Capsules: no taste and easy to take with you

Capsules have no taste, and every capsule contains the same amount. There’s no counting and no shaking. They don’t leak, and they fit in a handbag, a desk drawer or a washbag.

For many people, the simplest way to keep it up is to take the capsules every day with the same meal. Our Liposomal Vitamin D3+K2 (Capsules) from Melinava are designed for this. Keep capsules somewhere dry and cool, away from light, so a kitchen cupboard is a better place than a steamy bathroom.

How should you take vitamin D3 and K2?

Whether you choose drops or capsules, it’s best to take them with a meal that contains a little fat. In a study of 50 healthy older adults, the peak level of vitamin D3 in the blood was on average 32% higher when the vitamin was taken with a meal containing fat rather than a fat-free one³. Bear in mind, though, that the study only tested a single, very high dose.

Take your daily dose with the same meal each day, such as breakfast or lunch. You’ll find more on timing in our article Vitamin D3 and K2: when and how to take them. And don’t take more than the recommended daily amount.

Drops or capsules: which form suits you?

The right form is the one you’ll take reliably every day. These questions will help you decide.

• Swallowing: if you find capsules hard to swallow, drops are often the more pleasant choice.
• Adjusting the amount: if you want to set the amount yourself in line with your doctor’s advice, drops give you more room to do that.
• Taste: if you’d rather not taste anything at all, capsules are the neutral choice.
• On the go: when you’re travelling or at work, capsules are handy because there’s nothing to measure.
• Morning routine: if you have time for a relaxed breakfast, either form works well. If you have to rush out of the door, capsules are often quicker.

For a general overview of the different forms, see our article Drops, capsules or powder: which form suits you?

Frequently asked questions about vitamin D3 and K2 drops or capsules

Related product

Liposomal Vitamin D3+K2 (Capsules)

Manufactured to European pharmaceutical quality.

£38.00 View product