Lichen Sun
Vitamin D3 125 mcg (5000 IU) + K2
Sunshine vitamin. No sheep required.
- Sugar-free
Collection in development
$21.99
Indicative pricing. Final formula and availability require manufacturer confirmation. Orders and subscriptions are not open yet.
- Per serving
- $0.37
- Proposed serving
- 1 softgel
Formula overview
Vitamin D3 is the single most common supplement on a vegan shelf, and it is also the one most likely to quietly contain animal ingredients. Standard D3 is made from lanolin, the grease in sheep's wool. Lichen Sun uses D3 from lichen instead.
Each softgel pairs 5,000 IU of D3 with 100 mcg of vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7), the long-acting form of K2 made by fermentation. D3 supports calcium absorption and K2 supports calcium going where it belongs.
It is a one-a-day softgel in a coconut-oil base, designed to be taken with a meal that contains some fat.
What it does
Supports immune function*
Vitamin D helps immune cells work as they should, and many adults fall short of it in winter or with little sun.
Supports healthy bones*
D3 helps you absorb calcium, and K2 helps direct calcium to bone. They are designed to work as a pair.
Truly vegan D3
Most D3 is made from sheep's wool lanolin. Ours comes from lichen, so the whole softgel is plant-based.
How it works
Vitamin D3 helps the gut absorb calcium and supports immune cells. Vitamin K2 activates proteins such as osteocalcin that bind calcium to bone. Both are fat-soluble, so an oil base and a meal with fat help absorption. MK-7 stays active in the body longer than other K2 forms, which is why a once-daily dose is common.
Who it's for
Vegans, vegetarians and anyone who wants D3 without lanolin, particularly in low-sun months or for those who spend most of the day indoors.
What's inside
Every active ingredient, the amount per serving, and why it's there.
- Vitamin D3 from lichenVitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol from lichen)The same cholecalciferol your skin makes from sunlight, sourced from lichen instead of sheep's wool. Supports immune function and calcium absorption for healthy bones.*
- 125 mcg (5,000 IU)
- Vitamin K2 (MK-7)Vitamin K2 (as menaquinone-7)A long-acting form of vitamin K made by fermentation. Helps direct calcium to bones, working alongside vitamin D.*
- 100 mcg
Other ingredients
Coconut oil, plus a vegan softgel shell (starch or carrageenan based; exact shell to be confirmed by the manufacturer).
Supplement Facts
| Amount Per Serving | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol from lichen) | 125 mcg (5,000 IU) | 625% |
| Vitamin K2 (as menaquinone-7) | 100 mcg | 83% |
* Daily Value not established.
Other ingredients: Coconut oil, plus a vegan softgel shell (starch or carrageenan based; exact shell to be confirmed by the manufacturer).
Contains coconut. Confirm allergen statement with manufacturer. Manufactured in a facility that also processes milk, soy, wheat, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and crustacean shellfish.
Shown as a proposed plant-based formula, subject to manufacturer confirmation before launch.
How to use
Take 1 softgel daily with a meal that contains fat, or as directed by a healthcare professional.
Cautions
5,000 IU (125 mcg) exceeds the 4,000 IU (100 mcg) tolerable upper intake level for adults; use this dose only as directed by a healthcare professional and have vitamin D levels checked periodically. Contains vitamin K: consult a physician before use if you take anticoagulants such as warfarin. Keep out of reach of children. Do not use if safety seal is damaged or missing. Store in a cool, dry place. Pregnant or nursing mothers, children under 18, and individuals with a known medical condition or taking any medication should consult a physician before using this or any dietary supplement.
Product film · new packaging concept
A silent 3D packaging film. Formula and print artwork remain subject to manufacturer review.
Read the script
- 0-3sYour vitamin D probably comes from sheep's wool.
- 3-12sStandard D3 is made from lanolin. And in winter, a lot of us run low on vitamin D, which supports immunity and bones.
- 12-22sLichen Sun uses D3 from lichen, paired with K2 as MK-7 to support healthy bones.
- 22-30sNo lanolin. No gelatin. No titanium dioxide. Fully plant-based.
- 30-36sLichen Sun by BioVegan. Sunshine, minus the sheep.
Documentation before launch
This is a proposed formula. Manufacturer specifications and batch-specific testing documents are not published yet. A packaging concept is not evidence of a tested production batch.
Read our planned standardsQuestions, answered
Where does the D3 come from?
Lichen, a natural symbiosis of fungus and algae. It is chemically the same cholecalciferol as lanolin-sourced D3, without the sheep's wool.
Why add vitamin K2?
K2 works with vitamin D in how the body handles calcium. MK-7 is a long-lasting K2 form.
Is 5,000 IU too much?
It is a common daily dose, but it is above the adult upper intake level of 4,000 IU, so use it as directed by your healthcare professional and check your levels.
Can I take it on an empty stomach?
It absorbs best with a meal that contains fat.
Research we read
- Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Am J Clin Nutr, 2012
- Three-year low-dose menaquinone-7 supplementation helps decrease bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women
Osteoporos Int, 2013
- Nutrient Intake and Status in Adults Consuming Plant-Based Diets Compared to Meat-Eaters: A Systematic Review
Nutrients, 2021
- Bioavailability and Chemical/Functional Aspects of Synthetic MK-7 vs Fermentation-Derived MK-7 in Randomised Controlled Trials
Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 2017
Studies are cited for background on ingredients. They are not claims that this product treats or prevents any condition.
