Head to head · Vitamins & Minerals
Sports Research Vitamin D3 + K2 (5000 IU) vs Thorne Zinc Picolinate 15 mg
Thorne scores higher overall (8.5 vs 7.8 out of 10), mainly on efficacy, quality & purity and transparency.
Updated September 2026 from our full reviews · How we score
Amazon's top D3+K2 pick: vegan lichen D3 plus MK-7 K2 in coconut MCT oil; the 5,000 IU dose exceeds the adult upper limit for daily use.
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A small, NSF-certified 15 mg zinc picolinate capsule dosed near the RDA; TikTok-famous for skin anecdotes, and best paired with copper for long-term use.
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We may earn a commission when you buy through these links — it never affects our scores. How we make money
The short answer
Choose Sports Research if…
- Vegans who want lichen-derived D3
- People with a documented deficiency under medical guidance
- Anyone who wants D3 and K2 in one small softgel
Choose Thorne if…
- People with low zinc intake, including those eating mostly plant foods
- Athletes and label-conscious buyers who want NSF-certified products
- Anyone who wants single-nutrient zinc at a modest dose
- You care most about efficacy, quality & purity, transparency
Side by side
| Vitamin D3 + K2 (5000 IU) | Zinc Picolinate 15 mg | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 7.8 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Efficacy (30%) | 7.4 | 8.0 |
| Quality & Purity (25%) | 7.4 | 9.2 |
| Value (20%) | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| Experience (15%) | 8.8 | 8.8 |
| Transparency (10%) | 8.3 | 9.0 |
| Form | Softgel | Capsule |
| Serving | 1 veggie softgel60 servings per container | 1 capsule60 servings per container |
| Testing & certifications | Non-GMO Project VerifiedCertified VeganThird-party testedcGMP facility | NSF Contents Certified |
| Dietary | Vegan, Gluten-free, Soy-free, Non-GMO | Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Soy-free |
| Key ingredients |
|
|
| Flavors | — | — |
| Creator video reviews | 5 | 5 |
Pros and cons
Vitamin D3 + K2 (5000 IU)
- Certified Vegan and Non-GMO Project Verified, with no soy, gelatin or carrageenan
- D3 from lichen plus K2 as long-acting MK-7
- Tiny, easy-to-swallow softgel in an MCT oil base
- Official TikTok Shop listing rated 4.8 stars
- 5,000 IU exceeds the 4,000 IU adult upper limit for daily use
- No USP or NSF certification; testing claims are the brand's own
- Evidence for K2's bone and arterial benefits is still limited
- About $0.40 per day, more than plain D3
Zinc Picolinate 15 mg
- 15 mg dose close to the RDA and well under the 40 mg upper limit
- Minimal excipients; gluten-, dairy- and soy-free
- Listed in NSF's certification database; Amazon listing says NSF Contents Certified
- Small 18 mm capsules
- No copper included for long-term use
- Picolinate's absorption advantage is a brand claim NIH does not confirm
- About $0.25 per day, pricier than drugstore zinc
- Two capsules a day plus diet can approach the upper limit
Our verdicts
Vitamin D3 + K2 (5000 IU)
This is a well-made, vegan D3 and K2 combination that people clearly enjoy taking, which explains its bestseller status. The 5,000 IU dose is higher than most adults need day after day and exceeds the upper limit, so it fits best under a clinician's guidance or on a less-than-daily schedule; everyone else should consider the 2,500 IU version.
Full review
Zinc Picolinate 15 mg
A clean, well-dosed zinc supplement from a manufacturer with a strong testing record. The 15 mg dose covers daily needs without crowding the upper limit; add copper if you take it for months, and do not expect the dramatic skin results shared on TikTok to be typical.
Full review