Compare vegan vitamins & food supplements

A well-planned vegan diet can provide healthy adults with all the nutrients they need – with one exception: according to the DGE, vitamin B12 must be reliably obtained from a supplement or fortified foods. In addition, the DGE lists other potentially critical nutrients you should pay attention to, including vitamin D, iodine, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, calcium, selenium and riboflavin.

You don't need to supplement all of them. Many can be covered by choosing foods carefully – for example iodine through iodised table salt, calcium through fortified plant drinks or calcium-rich mineral water, and zinc and iron through wholegrains, pulses, nuts and seeds.

Vegan doesn't just mean that the active ingredient is plant-based – the capsule shell, coating and excipients must also be free of animal ingredients. Classic vitamin D3 is obtained from wool fat and is therefore not vegan; vegan D3 products use lichen. Omega-3 from fish oil is not vegan, whereas algae oil is. Gelatine capsules are of animal origin.

For pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, children and adolescents, the DGE considers the evidence insufficient to recommend a vegan diet across the board. Anyone following a vegan diet during these stages of life should definitely be supported by a doctor and a nutrition professional and have their nutrient status checked regularly.

Seaweed and seaweed products can contain very high and fluctuating amounts of iodine. The BfR advises against dried seaweed with an unknown iodine content.

Food supplements are no substitute for a balanced, varied diet or a healthy lifestyle. If you have a pre-existing condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take medication regularly, ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking them. Do not exceed the recommended daily intake stated on the pack. The information on this page is for general guidance only and is no substitute for individual advice.