In this article we will be discussing a very common question: what is the difference between vitamin d d2 and d3. It’s quite a sensitive & complex subject, as such we will do our best at providing a clear and concise article to clear any doubts you may have.
Supplements 101: Vitamin D
It’s a family of nutrients that shares similarities in chemical structure. In your diet, the most commonly found members are vitamin D2 and D3. While both types help you meet your vitamin D requirements, they differ in a few important ways.
Research even suggests that vitamin D2 is less effective than vitamin D3 at raising blood levels of vitamin D. This article sums up the main differences between vitamin D2 and D3.
What Are The Main Differences Between Vitamin D And D3?
Rather, your choices will be vitamin D2 (What is vitamin D2?). For the purpose of this article, when vitamin D is mentioned, it will refer to vitamin D2.
Its strength is typically measured in international units, which is abbreviated as “IU” on labeling. Vitamin D is less expensive to produce and therefore is the form most commonly found in fortified food products. When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it produces vitamin D3.
For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as the sunshine vitamin. Its strength is also measured in international units. All forms of vitamin D3 are available over-the-counter.
Indefinite Indefinite Who Typically Uses The Medication?
Infants, children, adolescents, and adults Infants, children, adolescents, and adults.
Bottom Line.
over the past year. * Like me, I know many of you are vitamin D fans.
Unlike some nutrition queries that are somewhat gray and equivocal in nature, when vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) go head-to-head, the winner is clear. At the Olympics recently, two phenomenal high jumpers from Qatar and Italy shared a heartwarming conclusion to their final event (where they jumped almost 8 feet in the air!). They both left Tokyo with gold medals.
Vitamin D3 Comes From Animals, Vitamin D2 From Plants
Plants can generate vitamin D2 through exposure to UV light. If you’re vegan, look for supplements that contain vitamin D2 as these will be sourced from plants rather than animal products. You can learn more about supplements suitable for vegans by reading our blog.
Vitamin D3 is known as cholecalciferol and is found in animals and animal products, including oily fish like salmon and mackerel.