What it is: Carbamide Forte Vitamin D3 + K2 is a once-a-day vegetarian tablet from the Indian brand Carbamide Forte, made by Novus Life Sciences. Each tablet combines vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) sourced from lichen with vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The bottle holds 120 tablets, a four-month supply.
What’s in Carbamide Forte D3 + K2
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), from lichen. Most D3 supplements use lanolin from sheep’s wool. This tablet uses D3 from lichen, which is why it can be labelled vegetarian.
- Vitamin K2 as MK-7 (menaquinone-7). MK-7 is the longer-chain form of vitamin K2 that most modern D3 + K2 products use.
The brand describes the tablets as vegetarian, plant-based, non-GMO and gluten-free. Check the exact strength per tablet on the bottle’s nutrition panel. Carbamide Forte sells several D3 + K2 products, and the strengths are not the same across the range.
How it’s traditionally used
This is a vitamin product, not an Ayurvedic herb. Vitamin D is made in the skin from sunlight. In the UK, the NHS advises everyone to consider a daily vitamin D supplement during autumn and winter, because sunlight is too weak for the skin to make enough vitamin D from about October to March.
Vitamin D contributes to:
- the maintenance of normal bones and teeth
- normal absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus
- the maintenance of normal muscle function
- the normal function of the immune system
Vitamin K contributes to normal blood clotting and to the maintenance of normal bones. Combining the two nutrients in one tablet is popular because both have an authorised claim for bone maintenance.
How to take it
The manufacturer suggests one tablet a day. Taking it with a meal that contains some fat suits both vitamins, since D3 and K2 are fat-soluble. At one tablet a day, a bottle of 120 tablets lasts 120 days, or about four months. That covers the UK’s darker months from October to January, or most of the winter.
Who it suits — and who should check first
- It suits vegetarians who want D3 rather than the plant-based D2 form. The brand does not state whether the product is also vegan, so vegans should check the label.
- Blood thinners: vitamin K affects blood clotting. If you take warfarin or another vitamin K antagonist, do not start this product without speaking to your anticoagulation clinic or GP.
- Count all your sources of vitamin D, including multivitamins and fortified foods, so you do not take too much.
- The product is listed for adults aged 18 and over.
How it compares
A plain vitamin D3 tablet is the simplest way to follow NHS guidance and usually costs less. A D3 + K2 combination suits people who want both nutrients in a single daily tablet. Compared with D3 + K2 softgels, a vegetarian tablet avoids gelatine and fish oil. Softgels already contain oil, but tablets are best taken with food.
Common questions
What is lichen-sourced vitamin D3?
Lichen is a natural partnership between algae and fungi. Unlike most plants, it produces vitamin D3. That gives a vegetarian form of D3, which is more often extracted from lanolin in sheep’s wool.
Why MK-7 rather than MK-4?
MK-7 and MK-4 are both forms of vitamin K2. MK-7 stays in the body for longer, so a small once-daily amount is enough. That is why most combination products use MK-7.
Can I take it all year round?
Many people take vitamin D all year, especially if they get little sun. NHS advice focuses on autumn and winter. Do not exceed one tablet a day.
Read more: A daily Ayurvedic routine for over-50s · Browse Immunity & Wellness
Food supplement. Not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Keep out of reach of young children. Store in a cool, dry place. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical supervision, consult a healthcare professional before use.
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