There
are two forms of vitamin D one is vitamin D2 and other is D3. Now we can see some difference between them.
Difference between Vitamin D2 and D3 :
- Vitamin D2 named ergocalciferol is commonly found in foods while vitamin D3 named cholecalciferol is commonly made by the body naturally when the skin is exposed to the sun.
- Vitamin D3 is more natural and easier for the body to absorb than D2.
- Most experts currently believe that the best form of vitamin D supplement to take is vitamin D3.
- Vitamin D3 is more readily metabolized into a bioactive form of D that is easily converted to its hormone form in the kidneys.
- Vitamin D2 is broken down by the body into different substances and it can be very harmful to the body while vitamin D3 is broken down by the body into a substance called calcitriol, which actually has very important cancer-fighting properties.
- The D2 form of the vitamin has a shorter shelf life compared to the D3 form.
- 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.
- Supplements for both two vitamins are sourced differently.
Summary :
Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) are not bioequivalent and should not be considered interchangeable. But based on pharmacokinetic studies and limited clinical evidence, cholecalciferol is preferred over ergocalciferol.