Vitamin D2 vs D3: Study Shows Lower D3 Levels
- New research from the University of Surrey, John Innes Center, and Quadram Institute Bioscience suggests that vitamin D2 supplementation can reduce the body's concentration of vitamin D3, the...
- A study published in Nutrition Reviews analyzed data from randomized controlled trials and found that supplementing with vitamin D2 led to a decrease in vitamin D3 levels compared...
- Vitamin D is crucial for maintaining bone health and supporting the immune system.
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Vitamin D2 supplements May Lower Levels of More Effective Vitamin D3, Study Finds
Table of Contents
New research from the University of Surrey, John Innes Center, and Quadram Institute Bioscience suggests that vitamin D2 supplementation can reduce the body’s concentration of vitamin D3, the form naturally produced by the body and more efficiently utilized.
Key Findings
A study published in Nutrition Reviews analyzed data from randomized controlled trials and found that supplementing with vitamin D2 led to a decrease in vitamin D3 levels compared to individuals who did not take vitamin D2.In several studies, vitamin D3 levels fell below those of the control groups.
The Two Forms of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is crucial for maintaining bone health and supporting the immune system. The UK government recommends a daily intake of 10 micrograms (µg), especially during the winter months when sunlight exposure is limited. However, vitamin D comes in two main forms: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol).
Vitamin D3 is the form our bodies naturally produce when skin is exposed to sunlight. It’s also generally considered more effective at raising and maintaining overall vitamin D levels in the body than vitamin D2. Vitamin D2, on the other hand, is produced by fungi and yeast and is frequently enough used to fortify foods.
Study Details and Results
Researchers analyzed data from multiple randomized controlled trials to assess the impact of vitamin D2 supplementation on vitamin D3 levels. The analysis, detailed in Nutrition reviews, consistently showed a reduction in vitamin D3 concentrations in participants taking vitamin D2 supplements.
This finding is significant because it challenges the assumption that all vitamin D supplements are equally beneficial. While vitamin D2 can contribute to overall vitamin D status, it appears to do so at the potential expense of reducing the body’s naturally produced and more effective vitamin D3.
Implications for Supplementation
The study highlights the importance of considering the form of vitamin D when choosing a supplement. Given that vitamin D3 is more efficiently utilized by the body, individuals may want to prioritize vitamin D3 supplements, especially during the autumn and winter months when sunlight exposure is limited.
As stated by researchers, vitamin D supplements are particularly vital between October and March in the UK, when the body cannot synthesize vitamin D from sunlight. However, the choice between D2 and D3 should be made with awareness of the potential impact on vitamin D3 levels.