Difference Between Vitamin D And Vitamin D3

Vitamin D and vitamin D3 can be found in a variety of foods and supplements. Both are essential for maintaining good health and help to prevent disease. But there are some differences between vitamin D and vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is the most biologically active type of vitamin D. The liver and kidneys transform vitamin D3 from its skin-derived form into calciferol. It is vital for controlling the metabolism of calcium and phosphate.

What is Vitamin D?

It is a fat-soluble vitamin. This can be found in several foods and supplements. It can also be produced by the body when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet light from sunlight. It is the only one of the 13 essential vitamins that your body can produce on its own. But because they don’t get enough sunlight, a lot of people are vitamin D deficient.

One of vitamin D’s primary functions is to aid in calcium absorption, which permits healthy bone mineralization and development. It performs several functions in the body, such as lowering inflammation, assisting the immune system, and metabolizing glucose. We get vitamin D from Oily fish, including sardines, herring, mackerel, red meat, livers, yolks, eggs, mushrooms, squash, melon, and from enriched foods.

What is Vitamin D3?

When exposed to sunlight, the skin produces vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol. Dietary sources of vitamin D3 include fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified products like milk and cereal.

The preservation of strong bones and teeth is facilitated by vitamin D3. It aids in controlling how much calcium and phosphorus the body absorbs. The immune system is also supported, and mood regulation is aided. Other crucial bodily functions for vitamin D3 could exist. Lack of vitamin D3 has been linked to an increased risk of several illnesses, such as rickets, osteoporosis, and some cancers.

Similarities between Vitamin D and Vitamin D3

The similarities between vitamin D and vitamin D3 outweigh the differences in their chemical composition and sources. Both vitamins D and D3 must travel through the liver and kidneys after ingestion before being converted into the active, usable form of vitamin D. Both forms of vitamin D can be purchased as oral supplements without a prescription. Higher vitamin D2 doses, though (up to 50,000 IU, or international units), are only accessible with a prescription.
Maintaining bone health, controlling the body’s calcium and phosphorus levels, and supporting immune function all depend on vitamin D and vitamin D3. Additionally, vitamin D may help lower the risk of developing certain conditions, including type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and some cancers.
Vitamin D and vitamin D3 are fat-soluble vitamins. It means that dietary fat aids in its absorption into the body through the digestive tract.

What makes Vitamin D and Vitamin D3 different?

Vitamin D can exist in two different forms in the human body, vitamin D2, and vitamin D3. There is no discernible distinction between vitamin D3 and vitamin D since D2 and D3 are simply referred to as “vitamin D.”
The body converts vitamin D to vitamin D3 when sunlight hits the skin. Vitamin D cannot be created by the body.
Animal-based foods like fatty fish and fish oil, liver, organ meats, and egg yolks are good sources of vitamin D3.
When specific kinds of plants are exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, vitamin D2 is produced and is primarily obtained from plant sources (such as wild mushrooms).
Due to its lower cost of production, vitamin D2 is most frequently used to fortify foods like milk, cereal, and orange juice.