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

Abstract

Conflicting evidence has led to uncertainty as to whether vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 are equally efficacious in improving vitamin D status, despite historically being considered equipotent. A systematic review and meta‐analysis completed in 2012 indicated that D3 was more effective at raising vitamin D levels {using total 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] as a marker of status} but the meta‐analysis identified high levels of heterogeneity between studies and a lack of statistically powered sample sizes to provide a conclusive answer. Thus, to meet the need for robust data, our research team conducted the largest (to date) randomised, controlled trial comparing the two forms of vitamin D. The D2–D3 Study was conducted in 335 healthy South Asian (n = 90) and White European women (n = 245). The study was designed to compare the respective efficacy of vitamin D2 with vitamin D3 at raising total 25(OH)D when added to a juice or a biscuit, at a relatively low dose of 15 μg/day for 12 weeks. Overall, the results showed that those who consumed vitamin D3 showed an average increase in vitamin D status of 74%–75%, whereas an average increase of 33%–34% in vitamin D status was found in those who consumed vitamin D2. Therefore, this study emphatically shows that vitamin D3 is more than twice as effective as vitamin D2 at raising total 25(OH)D concentrations, when given in a low dose that is both physiologically relevant and in line with public health guidance.

Sunlight, vitamin D and food allergy

“…D3, the most effective vitamin D isoform [24], can be produced in the human epidermis by solar/thermal…”

Food fortification and biofortification as potential strategies for prevention of vitamin D deficiency

“…Early studies reported conflicting results on the relative effectiveness of dietary vitamin D 3 compared with vitamin D 2 for increasing serum/plasma 25(OH)D concentrations (Tripkovic et al . ). Tripkovic et al .…”

Vitamin D – has the new dawn for dietary recommendations arrived?

“…Vitamin D is naturally present in foods in two forms, with vitamin D 2 being present in plants and fungi whereas vitamin D 3 is found in fish, meat and eggs. There has been controversy for many years as to whether it matters if vitamin D 2 or vitamin D 3 is used as the source for raising vitamin D status (either as supplements or through food fortification) (see Tripkovic ). Results from the D 2 ‐D 3 study, which has been funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) – Diet and Health Research Industry Club (DRINC) programme and is the largest RCT to directly compare vitamin D 2 with vitamin D 3, has shown some exciting results in both Caucasian and South Asian populations (Wilson et al .…”