Supplements 101: Vitamin D
It’s a family of nutrients that shares similarities in chemical structure. 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.
Official Answer
In D” now refers to several different forms.
The two forms important in humans are: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D2 is a synthetic form (man made) and Vitamin D3 is the internal form that we make.
What Are The Main Differences Between Vitamin D And D3?
Rather, your choices will be vitamin D2 (What is vitamin D2?).
Or vitamin D3 (What is vitamin D3?). For the purpose of this article, when vitamin D is mentioned, it will refer to vitamin D2. Vitamin D (D2) comes from plant sources, such as wild mushrooms, as well as fortified foods, such as milk or cereal products.
Its strength is typically measured in international units, which is abbreviated as “IU” on labeling. Vitamin D3 mainly comes from animal sources such as fish oil, fatty fish, liver, and egg yolks. 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.
Main Differences Between Vitamin D And D3 Vitamin D2 Vitamin D3 Drug Class Vitamin D Analog Vitamin D Analog Brand/Generic Status Brand And Generic Available Brand And Generic Available What Is The Generic Name?
What Is The Brand Name?
Ergocalciferol or vitamin D2
Drisdol, Calcidol, Calciferol Cholecalciferol, Vitamin D, Or Vitamin D3
Decara, Dialyvite D3 Max What Form(S) Does The Drug Come In?
1,000 Iu To 2,000 Iu Daily For Vitamin D Supplementation 1,000 Iu To 2,000 Iu Daily For Vitamin D Supplementation How Long Is The Typical Treatment?
What Is Vitamin D1 D2 D3?
However, subsequent researchers discovered that what he called “vitamin D1” was a mixture of compounds rather than a pure vitamin D product, so the term D1 is no longer used. However, the other two forms – D2 and D3 – have been extensively researched, so it’s much easier to tell them apart.