Vegan Vitamins UK: Which Supplements Vegans Actually Need

Which vegan vitamins and supplements do UK vegans actually need? B12, vitamin D, iodine, selenium, calcium, iron and omega-3 explained, with NHS guidance and how to check a label.

By GUUDIES Editorial Team Published 12 March 2026 Updated 26 October 2026 6 min read

Vegan Vitamins UK: Which Supplements Vegans Actually Need

By the GUUDIES Editorial Team · Updated 26 October 2026 · Health claims checked against the GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register (sources below).

Disclosure: GUUDIES makes a daily gummy supplement, so we have an interest here. We have kept to what UK guidance and the evidence say, and linked our sources.

Which vegan vitamins do you actually need in the UK? The NHS names vitamin B12, vitamin D, iodine, selenium and calcium as the nutrients that are harder to get on a vegan diet, and says to use fortified foods or consider supplements for them. Vitamin B12 is the non-negotiable one, because it is found almost only in animal foods. Iron and omega-3 are worth watching too, depending on what you eat.

A well-planned vegan diet can cover almost everything, but a few nutrients need deliberate planning. Below is what each one does, where vegans can get it, and what to check before you buy vegan supplements in the UK.

Vegan Vitamins at a Glance

Nutrient	Why it matters (authorised GB wording)	Vegan sources	Supplement?
Vitamin B12	Contributes to normal red blood cell formation and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue	Fortified plant drinks, cereals, nutritional yeast	Yes, for almost all vegans
Vitamin D	Contributes to the normal function of the immune system and the maintenance of normal bones	Sunlight (April to September), fortified foods	NHS: everyone should consider it October to March
Iodine	Contributes to normal thyroid function	Iodine-fortified plant drinks	Often, if your plant drink is not fortified
Selenium	Contributes to normal thyroid function and immune function	Brazil nuts, seeds	Sometimes
Calcium	Needed for the maintenance of normal bones	Fortified plant drinks, calcium-set tofu, bread	Only if diet falls short
Iron	Contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue	Pulses, wholemeal bread, fortified cereals, dark green veg	Only if a test shows you are low
Omega-3 (DHA)	DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function (at 250mg a day)	Walnuts, linseed, chia, hemp; algae oil for DHA	Optional

Why Is Vitamin B12 the Most Important Vegan Supplement?

Vitamin B12 is made by bacteria and ends up almost only in animal foods. The NHS says vegan sources are limited and that a B12 supplement may be needed. Long-term deficiency can cause anaemia, extreme tiredness and nerve problems, so do not leave it to chance.

Cyanocobalamin is the most widely studied and stable form and is what most fortified foods use. Methylcobalamin is also fine. The form matters less than taking it reliably.

Do Vegans Need a Vitamin D Supplement?

Everyone in the UK should consider 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day from October to March, vegan or not, because the sun is too weak for your skin to make it. The NHS adds one vegan-specific point: read the label to make sure the vitamin D is not of animal origin. Vitamin D3 is often made from lanolin (sheep's wool), while vegan D3 usually comes from lichen. Vitamin D2 is always plant-derived.

Why Is Iodine Easy to Miss on a Vegan Diet?

In the UK, most people get their iodine from milk, dairy, eggs and fish. Adults need 140 micrograms a day, and the NHS suggests strict vegans consider iodine-fortified foods or a supplement. Not every plant drink is fortified, so check the label. Seaweed is not a reliable source, because its iodine content varies a lot and can be very high. The NHS says 0.5mg (500 micrograms) or less a day from supplements is unlikely to cause harm.

What About Iron, Calcium and Omega-3?

Iron. Iron from plants is absorbed less well than iron from meat, and eating vitamin C with iron-rich foods helps. Many vegans get enough, so only supplement iron if a blood test shows you are low.

Calcium. Fortified plant drinks, calcium-set tofu, pulses and UK bread (flour is fortified) can cover it. Choose plant drinks with added calcium.

Omega-3. The NHS points to walnuts, linseed, chia and hemp seeds. These provide ALA; the longer-chain DHA found in oily fish can come from algae oil if you want a supplement.

How to Check a Supplement Is Really Vegan

Gelling agent. Many gummies use gelatine, which comes from pigs or cows. Pectin is the plant-based alternative.
Vitamin D source. Look for D3 from lichen, or D2. Lanolin-derived D3 is not vegan.
Collagen. Collagen is always animal-derived. A "vegan collagen" product contains collagen-supporting nutrients, not collagen.
Coatings and colours. Shellac, beeswax and carmine are animal-derived.
Certification. A Vegan Society trademark or clear vegan labelling on each product saves guesswork.

Where GUUDIES Fits

The Daily Greens+ gummy, one of the six gummies in each GUUDIES daily pouch, is vegan and pectin based. It provides vitamin B12 (24µg), vitamin D3 (20µg) and iodine (38µg as potassium iodide), alongside eleven other vitamins and minerals. Vitamin B12 contributes to normal red blood cell formation, vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system, and iodine contributes to normal thyroid function. It does not contain calcium, iron, selenium or omega-3.

The whole pouch is not vegan: five of the six gummies are vegan, and the Marine Collagen gummy contains fish collagen. If you are fully vegan, check the full ingredient list before you buy.

Common Questions

What vitamins should vegans take in the UK?
Vitamin B12 is essential. The NHS also names vitamin D, iodine, selenium and calcium as nutrients to get from fortified foods or supplements.

Is vitamin D3 vegan?
Only if it comes from lichen. Most D3 is made from lanolin in sheep's wool. Vitamin D2 is always plant-derived.

Do vegans need an iodine supplement?
Often, yes, unless you regularly drink an iodine-fortified plant milk. Adults need 140 micrograms a day.

Which form of B12 is best for vegans?
Cyanocobalamin is the most studied and stable form. Methylcobalamin also works. Taking B12 consistently matters more than the form.

Are gummy vitamins vegan?
Not always. Many contain gelatine, lanolin-derived D3 or beeswax. Look for pectin, vegan D3 and clear vegan labelling.

Should vegans take iron?
Only if a blood test shows low iron. Too much iron can be harmful.