What is the difference between vitamins d and d3

According to clinical trials , D3 boosts calcifediol levels almost twice as much as D2, suggesting it is a much more active form of the vitamin. In the UK, medical advice from the NHS recommends that adults should at least consider taking Vitamin D or D3 supplements throughout the winter months. Supplements for Vitamin D and D3 are readily available from pharmacists and supermarkets — and, unless you are a vegan, it is probably best to go for the Vitamin D3 supplements.

It is possible to have too much Vitamin D, and any more than 10 micrograms does run the risk of side effects. These can include vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, and dehydration in serious cases of Vitamin D toxicity. So, Vitamin D vs D3 — which should you take? That depends on your personal needs, lifestyle, and your dietary preferences. If you are looking for maximum results from a supplement, then Vitamin D3 is your best bet. However, if you are a vegan, D3 is not going to work for you — as it generally comes from animal products.

In this case, Vitamin D2 supplements will do just fine. Importantly, you should not be taking supplements of any vitamin if you do not need to. Deficiencies can be debilitating, but you can have too much of a good thing.

So, if your lifestyle sees you outdoors regularly, you may not need supplements at all. Cristina Palacios and Lilliana Gonzalez Is vitamin D deficiency a major global public health problem?

Jorde M. Sneve Y. Figenschau J. Svartberg K. Waterloo From our health centre. Experts, information and hot topics. See all Daily Health articles. What Are Normal Cholesterol Levels? If you take supplements, vitamin D3 is probably your best choice. This is a detailed article about vitamin D and its health effects. Vitamin D actually functions as a hormone, and deficiency is incredibly common. Here are eight symptoms that may indicate you have a vitamin D deficiency, as well as causes, treatments, and more.

Produced in response to sunlight hitting your skin, Vitamin D helps keep your immune system in top shape. Here are three more ways the "sunshine…. There are four fat-soluble vitamins in the human diet: A, D, E and K. This guide examines their health benefits, functions and main dietary sources. Vitamin D is very important for your health, but it is possible to get too much of it. This article explores 6 side effects of taking too much vitamin….

The amount of vitamin D you need depends on several factors. This article explains exactly how much vitamin D you should be taking. Vitamin D is an important nutrient that may also have benefits for weight loss. This article explores the relationship between vitamin D and body…. Vitamin D has numerous health benefits, but it's tricky to know which supplement to choose.

Here are 13 of the best vitamin D supplements, according…. This is a detailed review of vitamin D toxicity and how much vitamin D is considered too much. Toxicity is rare, but can occur with extremely high…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based Vitamin D2 vs. Supplements Vitamin D. What Is Vitamin D?

The Bottom Line. Read this next. The Benefits of Vitamin D. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. The Surprising Truth. A review indicates that vitamin D3 appeared to be better at raising vitamin D levels than D2.

However, the review also said researchers needed more evidence before they could be sure how the two types affected different groups of people, such as people of different ages, sexes, and ethnicities. In addition, the study looked at vitamin D supplements, not foods. Other studies also suggest that D3 may be superior to D2. A study notes that supplementation with vitamin D3 twice a week for 5 weeks was more effective in raising vitamin D levels in adults than the same amount of vitamin D2.

The main source of vitamin D is typically from exposure to sunshine. Lots of people take supplements because they do not get enough vitamin D from sunlight. They may not live in a sunny place, or they may have darker skin, for example. Certain malabsorption conditions, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease , may also lead to vitamin D deficiency.

Few foods are naturally high in vitamin D. Some manufacturers artificially fortify their products with D2, which comes from plants. These fortified products may include:. The amount of D2 in the product often depends on the manufacturer. People can find this information on the label. Mushrooms and yeast that have exposure to sunlight or UV radiation are some of the few foods that contain naturally high levels of vitamin D2.

Foods that are naturally high in vitamin D3 come from animal sources. These may include :. Vitamin D is essential for health. It plays a key role in maintaining bone health, the nervous system, and the immune system. People can get vitamin D from sun exposure, food, or supplements. Vitamin D2 and D3 are the main forms of vitamin D and both perform the same role in the body. Scientists are not sure if one is better than the other, although some studies have found that D3 is more effective in raising vitamin D levels in the body than D2.

Vitamin D2 comes from plants, while animals, including people, produce D3. Few foods naturally contain vitamin D. Therefore, manufacturers may fortify foods with vitamin D, such as milks, juices, and cereals. Mushrooms are a good natural source of vitamin D2, while fatty fish are good source of vitamin D3. The body produces vitamin D in response to sun exposure.