Is Vitamin D And D3 Same

Vitamin D2 To D3 Conversion

D2 and D3 are variants of the same vitamin, and perform the same basic functions in the body. While both are fat-soluble, studies show that D3 is significantly better at raising vitamin D levels.â¹

Who should take vitamin D2?

If youâre a committed vegetarian, then vitamin D2 is the only dietary or supplemental form of vitamin D that complies with your diet, beyond the D3 you make yourself when your skin is exposed to sunshine.

Who should take vitamin D3?

If youâre not vegan or vegetarian, most studies¹Ⱐsupport taking D3 supplements¹¹, as it is better converted by the bodyâmore than twice as effective,¹² in fact!

Different Effects On The Immune System

A recent study found that vitamin D2 and D3 supplementation had different effects on genes important for immune function. These findings are significant, as most previous research has failed to find much difference in the effect of supplementation with either vitamin D2 or D3.

Most of the research published to date has suggested that the main difference between vitamin D2 and D3 supplementation is the effect on circulating vitamin D levels in the bloodstream. Studies have repeatedly shown that vitamin D3 is superior at raising levels of vitamin D in the body. These findings were supported by a recent review of the evidence which found that vitamin D3 supplementation increased vitamin D levels in the body better than vitamin D2. But not all studies agree.

Very few studies support vitamin D2 supplementation being superior to vitamin D3. One trial showed that vitamin D2 was better at treating immune issues in patients who were on steroid therapy. However, other than increasing vitamin D levels in the body, there is not much evidence that vitamin D3 supplements are better than vitamin D2 supplements. One study found that vitamin D3 improved calcium levels more than vitamin D2. But we need more research to provide definitive answers.

Difference Between Vitamin D And Vitamin D3

Vitamins are essential nutrients that our boy needs in small amounts to work properly. Vitamin D is one of the complex vitamins needed by our body to grow and develop. Vitamin D is available in two forms known as vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. There are quite a few differences between vitamin D and vitamin D3 but the main difference between them is that vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that regulates calcium and phosphorous levels of the body whereas the vitamin D3 is the natural form of vitamin D produced by the body from sunlight. Given below are more differences between vitamin D3 and vitamin D.

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What Specifically Is Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is also called cholecalciferol and is not a real vitamin. Vitamin D3 is a secosteroid.

A secosteroid is actually a steroid. The four rings that combine to complete a steroid are broken in a secosteroid, so you dont get any of the benefits or pitfalls associated with steroids.

While vitamin D3 is stored in the fat of the human body, it is metabolized by the liver. Essentially, when the body needs vitamin D, the liver metabolizes it and ensures it gets where it needs to go.

Truthfully, the body needs vitamin D3 all of the time so the metabolizing action is continual. Vitamin D3 ensures that the body can absorb calcium. Regardless, the body can store up to 60 days worth of vitamin D in the body.

Vitamin D3 is more potent than any of its vitamin counterparts according to the Harvard School of Public Health. It is for this reason that vitamin D3 is typically used for supplementation, although vitamin D3 is sometimes combined with the D2 for a more potent dose.

What Is Vitamin D2

Vitamin D2, just like D3, is not a vitamin but rather a secosteroid. The scientific name for vitamin D2 is ergocalciferol and it is a synthetic calcium regulator. Vitamin D3 is a natural calcium regulator.

WebMD states that both vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 are the same vitamin. However, vitamin D2 is not absorbed from the sun it is either taken via supplements or obtained through foods, mainly milk and vegetables.

According to the National Library of Medicines Medical Publication website, vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 are not interchangeable. Both have had adequate success for the treatment and prevention of rickets, but that is the extent of its use.

In fact, the articles at the NLM website recommend that nobody should supplement with vitamin D2. This is because it doesnt provide adequate benefits vitamin D3 provides everything that vitamin D2 does and more.

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Calcium And Phosphate Homeostasis

The dominant function of vitamin D in its hormonal form is the elevation of plasma calcium and phosphate levels, which are required for mineralization of bone . Furthermore, the elevation of plasma calcium to normal levels is also required for the functioning of the neuromuscular junction as well as vasodilatation, nerve transmission, and hormonal secretion.

functioning as part of the endocrine system for maintaining serum calcium levels as outlined in elevates plasma ionized calcium levels to the normal range by three different mechanisms . The first mechanism, which does not require , is the well-established role of calcitriol in stimulating intestinal calcium absorption throughout the entire length of the intestine, although its greatest activity is in the duodenum and jejunum. It is clear that calcitriol directly stimulates intestinal calcium and, independently, phosphate absorption.

In the second mechanism, calcitriol plays an essential role in the mobilization of calcium from bone, a process requiring . It induces the formation and activation of the osteoclast to function in the mobilization of calcium from bone, as discussed in . In short, calcitriol facilitates the formation of osteoclasts by stimulating the secretion of a protein called receptor activator for nuclear factor B ligand, which, in turn, is responsible for osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption .

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Differences Between Vitamin D2 And D3

So what are the differences between Vitamin D2 and D3? Although both Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 are converted into an active form of Vitamin D in the body, they differ in their potency and duration of action. Vitamin D2 is less potent and has a shorter duration of action than Vitamin D3. For this reason, Vitamin D3 is the preferred treatment for people with a Vitamin D deficiency. Additionally, Vitamin D3 is more effective at raising blood levels of Vitamin D and is better absorbed by the body. For example, Vitamin D3 has been shown to improve bone density, while Vitamin D does not appear to have this effect. Therefore, although both nutrients are important for health, Vitamin D3 may be the better choice for people who want to improve their bone health.

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Are All Types Of Vitamin D The Same

The two types of vitamin D are distinguished by their dietary sources. Vitamin D3 is only present in animal-based foods, whereas vitamin D2 is more common in plant-based items and fortified meals. Because vitamin D2 is less expensive to produce, it’s the most widely used form in fortified meals.

Both vitamin D and vitamin D3 are essential for human health, but they have some key differences. Vitamin D3 is more effective than vitamin D2, and it’s only present in animal-based foods.

Common Side Effects Of Vitamin D Vs D3

There are no common side effects to therapy with either vitamin D2 or D3. Side effects related to vitamin D are the result of hypervitaminosis D, an extremely rare condition that occurs when you intake too much vitamin D. This is sometimes seen in patients who take megadoses of vitamin D, leading to vitamin D toxicity. The result is a build up of dangerously high levels of calcium in the blood which can lead to nausea, vomiting, constipation, and frequent urination. If left untreated, irreversible renal failure can occur along with calcification of organs and soft tissues.

The following table lists side effects related to hypervitaminosis D, not normal vitamin D supplementation. More information on vitamin D toxicity may be obtained from your doctor or pharmacist, as this may not be a complete list.

Source: DailyMed

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Which Is Better For Increasing Vitamin D Intake

Although vitamin D is the same as D3, and vitamin D is the same as D2, the two forms are not the same as each other. Vitamin D2 and D3 are not equal when it comes to raising nutrient levels.

Your liver metabolizes the two forms differently. Both forms of the vitamin convert into calcifediol in the liver , however, D2 yields less calcifediol than D3. This makes D2 inferior when it comes to raising blood levels and increasing your intake.

If suffering from a deficiency, vitamin D3 has been found to be better at raising your sunshine nutrient status. One study found that vitamin D3 was twice as effective at increasing levels than D2 supplements. Therefore, vitamin D is the same as D3, and levels can be increased better using this form of the nutrient. BetterYous supplements contain D3 in order to contribute to a healthy lifestyle through easy-to-use, pill-free supplementation.

Is Vitamin D Or D3 More Effective

Vitamin D2 and D3 are absorbed into the bloodstream where they are metabolized by the liver into 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, otherwise collectively known as 25D or calcifediol. Calcifediol is the vitamin D complex circulating in your blood, and its levels directly reflect your bodys stores of vitamin D. Calcifediol is commonly referred to as the active form of vitamin D. When your doctor orders lab tests to check your vitamin D levels, they are measuring your calcifediol levels. Calcifediol is the precursor to calcitriol, the ultimate active metabolite of vitamins D and D3.

There have been several studies comparing whether supplementation with vitamin D2 or D3 produces a higher blood level of calcifediol. A study published by the National Institutes of Health was conducted in elderly, post-menopausal women who had been identified as vitamin D deficient. It compared the effects of receiving a single high dose of vitamin D2 or vitamin D3 on calcifediol levels. The study concluded that vitamin D3 produced about twice the amount of circulating calcifediol in this patient population versus that of vitamin D2.

In a separate clinical trial comparing a 10-week regimen of twice weekly 50,000 IU dosing of both vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 in demographically matched groups, vitamin D3 was also found to be superior in producing higher levels of 25D, or calcifediol.

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Measures Associated With Vitamin D: Parathyroid Hormone

, which, as described above, plays a role in vitamin D metabolism, is also a known marker for bone resorption, based upon the bone manifestations of secondary hyperparathyroidismincreased bone turnover, increased rates of bone loss, osteoporosis, and increased risk of fractures. Serum PTH level has thus been explored and suggested as a measure indicative of adequate vitamin D nutriture, notably on the basis of the level of serum 25OHD at which serum PTH level rises or, alternatively, the level of serum 25OHD at which serum PTH level no longer declines. This measure is discussed more fully in .

How Does Vitamin D Work

When your skin is exposed to sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B rays, your body naturally produces Vitamin D3. D2 is created in a similar fashion, yet through the synthesis of sunlight by mushrooms and plants. There are three ways you can obtain vitamin d for your body from the sun, vitamin d supplements, and from food, preferred in that exact order. Wow, supplements over the food you say? Yes, exactly. The reason is simple: most individuals arent exposed to UVB rays at least 15 minutes a day, uncovered and unprotected . Foods fortified with Vitamin D2 also dont contain enough vitamin D to provide the body with the recommended daily intake of Vitamin D . For these reasons, vitamin D3 supplementation is the most effective way to get the daily recommended amount of vitamin D.

Its estimated that nearly 1 billion people or 50% of the world population is vitamin d deficient. Low vitamin d levels can result in abnormalities in bone metabolism, slow wound healing, chronic fatigue, depressed mood states, muscle weakness, and depression .

According to a national nutrition examination survey 41.6% of US adults exhibited vitamin d deficiency, with the highest rate seen in African Americans at 82.1% followed by those of Hispanic descent at 69.2% .

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The Different Kinds Of Vitamin D

The question we pose in the title has an interesting answer: what we know as Vitamin D comes in around five different forms. It might be surprising to hear, but luckily we only need to focus on two major types: D2 and D3.

This begs the question of which kind of vitamin D you need in your diet, to meet your own personal needs. Lets drill into both of these types to offer a little clarity.

Vitamin D2 Supplements May Be Inferior

The quality of D2 supplements may not be as good as the D3 supplements. Recent progress in measuring vitamin levels has helped medical experts identify that vitamin D2 is more vulnerable to environmental factors such as humidity and temperature.

One such study found that vitamin D2 supplements have a shorter shelf life due to these vulnerabilities.

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Can You Get A Vegan Form Of Vitamin D3

Vegans may not wish to use our , because it is sourced from sheep wool. However, those following a vegan diet can use our vegan supplements to encourage a healthy balanced nutrient intake.

Luckily, there is a vegan form of D3 which is sourced from Lichen. Lichen are small algae-like plants that have been exposed to UV rays. However, quantities of vitamin D3 that are extracted from the plants are much lower in comparison to lanolin sources. This makes it difficult to obtain in large quantities and expensive to produce.

This is why most vegan D supplements use D2 which is much cheaper to produce. At BetterYou, we only use the best quality ingredients for our supplements, that’s why our D1000 Vegan Vitamin D Spray contains the lichen source of D3, and is at an affordable price.

Thus, not only is vitamin D the same as D3, but the nutrient sprays are suitable for everyone!

D3 Is The Sunshine Vitamin D2 Isnt

Its vitamin D3 that is found in the skin, after sunshine converts cholesterol into the pre-vitamin cholecalciferol. It is this vitamin D that is found in egg yolks, oily fish, some fortified foods and some supplements.

Vitamin D2 can be found in supplements and comes from plant and/or fungal sources such as mushrooms.

So, vitamin D3 is the form naturally found in the body, and as a supplement is normally manufactured from lanolin which is sourced from sheeps wool. Vegan supplements contain the D2 version of the vitamin.

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What Are The Sources Of Vitamin D3

Foods that are naturally high in vitamin D3 are derived from animal sources such as cod liver oil, trout, and salmon. Smaller amounts of D3 can be found in eggs, sardines, tuna, and beef liver.

Vitamin D3 is also produced when the skin is exposed to sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B . Unlike vitamin D supplementation, you cannot overdose on Vitamin D3 produced by sunlight when the body has enough it simply produces less. Its important to remember adequate sun protection, though!

Best Sources Of Vitamin D2 And D3

As there are few natural food sources of vitamin D2, many manufacturers artificially add it to their products. These manufacturers typically rely on plant sources to add D2 to their products, such as:

• Dairy and plant milk products like soy, almond, and oat milk
• Breakfast cereals

The vitamin D content depends on who makes it. You can check the nutrition label to know the vitamin D content of the product. Mushrooms are another good source of D2. Half a cup of mushrooms gives you 46% of your daily vitamin D needs.

Animals are the primary source of vitamin D3. These include:

• Trout: 16.2 micrograms per serving contains 81% of the daily value
• Salmon: 14.2 micrograms per serving contains 71% of the daily value
• Cod liver oil: 34 micrograms per serving contains 170% of the daily value
• Tuna: 1 microgram per serving contains 5% of the daily value
• Beef liver: 1 microgram per serving contains 5% of the daily value
• Eggs: 1.1 micrograms per serving contains 6% of the daily value
• Sardines: 1.2 micrograms per serving contains 6% of the daily value
• Cheese: 0.4 micrograms per serving contains 2% of the daily value

Dietary supplements for vitamin D2 and D3 are widely available. The preparation of vitamin D2 supplements usually involves treating ergosterol in yeasts with UV radiation. Ergosterol is the animal equivalent of cholesterol.

But most studies reveal that vitamin D3 increases blood vitamin levels to a greater extent and maintains these levels for a longer time than vitamin D2.

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Signs Of Deficiency And Toxicity

Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency may occur from a lack in the diet, poor absorption, or having a metabolic need for higher amounts. If one is not eating enough vitamin D and does not receive enough ultraviolet sun exposure over an extended period , a deficiency may arise. People who cannot tolerate or do not eat milk, eggs, and fish, such as those with a lactose intolerance or who follow a vegan diet, are at higher risk for a deficiency. Other people at high risk of vitamin D deficiency include:

• People with inflammatory bowel disease or other conditions that disrupt the normal digestion of fat. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that depends on the guts ability to absorb dietary fat.
• People who are obese tend to have lower blood vitamin D levels. Vitamin D accumulates in excess fat tissues but is not easily available for use by the body when needed. Higher doses of vitamin D supplementation may be needed to achieve a desirable blood level. Conversely, blood levels of vitamin D rise when obese people lose weight.
• People who have undergone gastric bypass surgery, which typically removes the upper part of the small intestine where vitamin D is absorbed.

Conditions resulting from prolonged vitamin D deficiency:

Toxicity

Symptoms of toxicity:

• Irregular heart beat
• Hardening of blood vessels and tissues due to increased blood levels of calcium, potentially leading to damage of the heart and kidneys