Difference Between Vitamin D and Vitamin D3
Vitamin D vs Vitamin D3
If you have been advised a series of vitamins and are wondering about their effects, here are a few facts you need to know about vitamin D. It is one of the more complex vitamins that are needed by the human body in order to grow and develop. Vitamin D is actually available in two forms, cholecalciferol and Ergocalciferol, better known as vitamin D3 and vitamin D2.
First things first. Vitamin D can be found in 2 forms. Vitamin D2 is manufactured by plants or fungus. You would include it through fortified foods such as juices, milk or cereals. However, vitamin D3 is formed when the body synthesizes sunlight on its surface. It mainly occurs through the exposure of the skin to UVA and UVB rays. Vitamin D3 can also be obtained by consuming animal products.
It is also interesting to note that since it is produced in the body, vitamin D is actually considered a hormone and not really a vitamin! Vitamin D is very important as it regulates the production of phosphorous and calcium in the body.
The Vitamin D that you purchased so willingly over the counter in the form of medication can actually be very harmful without supervision. You see, one of the forms of vitamin D, i.e. vitamin D2 is broken down by the body into different substances. Some of these substances can be very harmful for the body. Vitamin D3 is broken down by the body into a substance called calcitrol, which actually has very important cancer fighting properties.
The supplements for vitamin D may be made from either plants or animals. However, if you were looking for a vitamin D3 supplement, you would look for only those available through animal supplements. It is also available from lamb’s wool!
Vitamin D is frequently added to a number of foods, to make them beneficial. However, if you were looking for vitamin D3 in particular, you would have to go for a pill or a liquid form. It is not very common to find it in cereals or juices.
Another important difference is that vitamin D2 has a shorter shelf life compared to vitamin D3. This decreases the potency of the vitamin if it is used as a vitamin supplement. Some researchers however feel that their efficacy is the same.
Summary:
1. Vitamin D is manufactured by both plants and animals. Vitamin D3 is particularly found on the skin of animals, as a byproduct of synthesis.
2. Vitamin D is not beneficial in all its forms. Vitamin D2, one of the forms of vitamin D can be toxic to the body. Vitamin D3 is good for the body.
3. You can get vitamin D from fortified foods or as pills. However, vitamin D3 is only available in the form of pills or in liquids. They are rarely found in foods.
4. Supplements for the two vitamins are sourced differently.
5. The D2 form of the vitamin has a shorter shelf life compared to the D3 form.
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Very interesting article…thank you for the valuable information.
How does the body naturally obtain vitamin D2? You say that is is found in plants and fungi, but then suggest fortified foods. Couldn’t one simply eat leafy green vegetables and/or mushrooms, thereby obtaining a natural and healthy source that the body can metabolise without being overloaded?
The vitamine D has been already broken down by your immune system and any intermittent components of your left side intestons. Liloputes will stimulate the ozone squares of your internal communities to source an extra amount of liquidated oxygene 2 mini-points and would transfer those out to your lungs for synthesis known as synthesis-room. Vitamin D. Some mushrooms and greens will have a sufficient amounts of extrafiolatine valancium which will help to extfoliate the sourced amounts of synthesis from your upper body towards the lolwer adrenaline voccum to stabilize your daily intake.
Hope this helps.
My concern is of overdosing on D. Due to vitamin D deficency I take them, but now started D3. 5,000 mg daily. I’m not sure if that too much for my body to handle. Also, I had bariatric surgery, so I only get the benefit from half of what I take.
I am taking a high quality Vitamin D supplement daily, and recently, my doctor suggested very high dosages of D3 daily. How do I know if the D supplement I’m taking is predominantly D2 or D3? Would I do better to purchase a supplement specifically branded as D3?
The doctor’s recommendation was for D3, but I already have these supplements, so I’m unsure if I should finish them off in very high doses, or toss them and go for the D3.
Thanks!
Brandye
Read the lable. You most likely have d3
I have to be on Vit D3 , it bothers my stonmach what now, i hade to quit it???
I had extensive back surgery 3 mos. ago. Vit. D is good for bone growth. Thanks for differentiating between D3 and D2. If I am on other medication…does it effect Vit D3?
Hi,
If someone can let us know on the benefit effects of Vitamin D3 on a pregnant woman, that would be helpful.
Thanks..