Taking the right form of the sun vitamin D

Two different products are available – vitamin D₂ and vitamin D₃. Our body can process both forms but with varying success. Vitamin D₂, which is derived from plants, has long been considered equal to vitamin D₃, but current research shows that vitamin D₃ is nearly twice as effective as vitamin D₂.

The days are becoming darker, duller, and greyer. It is that time of the year again: sun hours are growing shorter and winter is approaching quickly – and vitamin D becomes the focus of health interests. The time, when we look for vitamin D products in specialist shops, at the chemist’s and pharmacies and consult a doctor. Ask your doctor or pharmacist. You do not have to be a clairvoyant to predict that vitamin is going to be a big issue – also in this autumn.

The vast range of available products and brands might overpower potential buyers at first sight, but ultimately the differences will be minimal because vitamin D is vitamin D – is it not? From a historical point of view, this statement might be true, but since a few years ago it has been considered obsolete.

This is why: there are striking differences between vitamin D₂ (ergocalciferol) derived from plant sources and vitamin D₃ (cholecalciferol). In a 2012 meta-analysis, D₃ supplements led to nearly twice the increase in vitamin D concentrations compared to vitamin D₂ supplements. However, we have to take into account that this effect was reached through high-dose single administration; products containing a smaller dosage that is taken daily lead to inconsistent results. A late-breaking randomized controlled study (RCT) from August 2017 with 335 female participants also compared the effects of vitamin D₂ and D₃ but focussed on lower dosages of 15 µg (= 600 IU) that are relevant for maintaining normal vitamin D levels. The analysis was conducted during the winter months so that UV-radiation-induced fluctuations could be excluded.

In the placebo group, vitamin D concentrations were reduced by 25% in the 3-month intervention period, whereas they increased by 34% in the group taking vitamin D₂. The 74% increase in the group taking vitamin D₃ was more than twice this amount and confirmed the results of the mentioned meta-analysis. It is obvious how we can benefit from these findings: when choosing a vitamin D product, we should resist rash choices – better have a second look and prefer products with vitamin D₃ to allegedly equal D₂ products.

We at BIOGENA have also researched vitamin D₃. In an intervention study, we could show that the daily intake of 6000 IU vitamin D₃ (3 capsules of Vitamin D 2000 DUO Gold) led to an average increase of the 25-(OH)-D₃ -level by 34,7 nmol/l and to an increase of over 50 nmol/l (= 25 ng/ml) in all participants.