Vitamin d and d3 difference

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Differences Between Vitamin D and Vitamin D3

Introduction to Vitamin D Forms

Vitamin D is essential for maintaining bone health and calcium homeostasis. It exists in two primary forms: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Both forms are used in supplements and fortified foods, but they have different origins and potencies.

Vitamin D2 vs. Vitamin D3: Efficacy in Raising Serum 25(OH)D Levels

Meta-Analysis Findings

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) revealed that vitamin D3 is significantly more effective than vitamin D2 in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels. The analysis showed that vitamin D3 supplementation resulted in a greater increase in serum 25(OH)D concentrations compared to vitamin D2, especially when administered as a bolus dose .

Comparative Potency

Further studies have confirmed that vitamin D3 is approximately 87% more potent than vitamin D2 in raising and maintaining serum 25(OH)D levels. This increased potency makes vitamin D3 a more effective option for correcting vitamin D deficiency . Additionally, vitamin D3 supplementation leads to higher storage of vitamin D in subcutaneous fat compared to vitamin D2 .

Bioavailability and Long-Term Effects

Research has shown that vitamin D3 increases total 25(OH)D concentrations more effectively than vitamin D2. In a study where participants received 50 µg/day of either vitamin D2 or D3, those taking vitamin D3 had a significant increase in 25(OH)D levels, while those taking vitamin D2 experienced a decrease in 25(OH)D3 levels, which affected the total 25(OH)D concentration .

Physiological and Molecular Differences

Metabolic Pathways

Vitamin D3 is produced in the skin through ultraviolet irradiation of 7-dehydrocholesterol and must be metabolized in the liver and kidneys to become biologically active. The active form, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, plays a crucial role in calcium and phosphate absorption, bone health, and other physiological functions 610.

Immune System Effects

Vitamin D2 and D3 also have different effects on the immune system. A study analyzing the blood transcriptome revealed that vitamin D3 supplementation led to a down-regulation of genes associated with the innate and adaptive immune systems, potentially shifting the immune system to a more tolerogenic status. In contrast, vitamin D2 did not show the same level of immune modulation .

Conclusion

In summary, while both vitamin D2 and D3 are used to improve vitamin D status, vitamin D3 is more effective in raising and maintaining serum 25(OH)D levels. It also has a higher potency and better storage in the body compared to vitamin D2. These differences suggest that vitamin D3 should be the preferred choice for supplementation to correct vitamin D deficiency and support overall health. Further research is needed to fully understand the distinct metabolic pathways and long-term effects of both forms across different populations.

Sources and full results

Most relevant research papers on this topic

Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Vitamin D3 supplementation is more effective at raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations than vitamin D2, potentially making it the preferred choice for supplementation.

Meta-AnalysisVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2012·

672citations

·L. Tripkovic et al.

Vitamin D(3) is more potent than vitamin D(2) in humans.

D3 is 87% more potent in raising and maintaining serum 25(OH)D concentrations and produces 2- to 3-fold greater storage of vitamin D than equimolar D2, making it the preferred treatment option for vitamin D deficiency.

RCTVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2011·

369citations

·R. Heaney et al.

Bioavailability of vitamin D(2) and D(3) in healthy volunteers, a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Vitamin D3 increases total 25(OH)D concentration more than vitamin D2, while vitamin D2 supplementation leads to a decrease in 25(OH)D3, explaining the different effect on total 25(OH)D.

RCTRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2013·

120citations

·Ulrike Lehmann et al.

Vitamin D2 vs. vitamin D3: Are they one and the same?

Vitamin D2 and D3 may have distinct and significant differences in efficacy, potentially impacting vitamin D status and calcium absorption.

2013·

11citations

·L. Tripkovic

Vitamin D2 vs. vitamin D3: They are not one and the same

Vitamin D3 is more than twice as effective as vitamin D2 at raising vitamin D levels, when given at a low dose in a physiologically relevant and public health-friendly manner.

Meta-Analysis

2017·

11citations

·L. Tripkovic et al.

Overview of general physiologic features and functions of vitamin D.

Vitamin D3 plays a crucial role in calcium absorption, phosphate absorption, bone mobilization, and kidney reabsorption, with new selective analogs for therapy emerging.

Highly Cited

2004·

2245citations

·H. DeLuca

Evidence that vitamin D3 increases serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D more efficiently than does vitamin D2.

Vitamin D3 increases serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D more efficiently than vitamin D2, challenging the assumption that they have equal nutritional value in humans.

Non-RCTHighly Cited

1998·

661citations

·H. Trang et al.

Vitamins D2 and D3 Have Overlapping But Different Effects on the Human Immune System Revealed Through Analysis of the Blood Transcriptome

Vitamin D3 supplementation may shift the immune system to a more tolerogenic status, while vitamin D2 supplementation may have a stimulatory effect on type I and type II interferon activity.

Non-RCT

2022·

26citations

·L. Durrant et al.

The serum vitamin D metabolome: What we know and what is still to discover

Advances in LC/MS/MS technology have enabled the detection of new vitamin D metabolites in human serum, potentially impacting our understanding of vitamin D metabolism and its role in human health.

Highly Cited

2019·

177citations

·R. Tuckey et al.

Vitamin D Metabolism and Action

Vitamin D3 is primarily synthesised in the skin by sunlight, with some fatty fish and certain supplements providing additional vitamin D.

Highly Cited

1998·

185citations

·R. Bouillon et al.

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