There are two forms of vitamin D in the body – D2 and D3: their empirical chemical formulae differ by a single carbon atom. We get them from different sources: D2 is found primarily in plant-based foods, while D3 is obtained from animal-origin foods, and is also produced when our skin is exposed to the sun’s rays.
Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is synthesised from a sterol (complex lipid) called 7-dehydrocholesterol, naturally present in the body. When this sterol is exposed to the sun’s UVB rays, it is converted into vitamin D. Most of the vitamin D circulating in the body is produced in this way (1). That’s why we’re advised to expose our skin as much as possible to natural light. Vitamin D3 is also obtained from the diet, in particular from oily fish and egg yolk.
Vitamin D2 is a derivative of ergosterol, a sterol naturally present in the cell membranes of certain plants and fungi. Vitamin D2 is obtained by exposing ergosterol to the sun’s UVB rays. It is found in mushrooms (especially those exposed to UVB rays) as well as in vitamin D-fortified foods like margarine.
Vitamins D2 and D3 are both metabolized in the liver and then converted in the kidneys into the active and usable form of vitamin D (2). However, research has shown that vitamin D3 increases the level of the active and usable form of vitamin D in the body to a greater degree (3). It is also less sensitive to heat and humidity than D2 and thus more stable (4).
As a consequence, if you wish to take a vitamin D supplement, vitamin D3 is the better choice. You have three options to choose from:
References
2 Days
Great product. Gre a t customer service
lorraine
3 Days
Quality product delivered on time as promised. Reasonably priced too!
JoeF
3 Days
You have real people to help place orders when I have online difficulties. You are a caring company and genuinely concerned about your customers.
Arthur Nicholas
6 Days
Very fast shipping
Heide Chavez
9 Days
Very satisfied!
CRUZ Francisco
13 Days
Product came quickly. Beyond that, too soon to know if it will be effective in my use.
Whit
15 Days
Fast and reliable service
MONELL
20 Days
Fast delivery
MONELL
21 Days
Good prices, easy to order, and communicate with. Answers emails. Timely shipping
DOMINIC
21 Days
quick delivery
Barbara J
24 Days
Love this product, works so well for my arthritis!
BLANCO Judy
26 Days
Great quality supplements, fast shipping and excellent customer service. Thank you
Romana
27 Days
fast service and shipping..best prices for GHK-CU
Marie
27 Days
Professional, timely shipping and effective products!
Mohamad Hussein
28 Days
Fast shipping plus hard to find peptide.
WATERS R