Vitamin D3 v D2
Vitamin D3 v D2
Traditionally, Vitamin D2 was the only non-animal source of Vitamin D and therefore the only source suitable for a range of demographics including individuals with a Vegan or Vegetarian diet.
“Vitamin D2 should no longer be regarded as a nutrient appropriate for supplementation or fortification of foods.”
Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol) has been widely reported to be an inadequate dietary source of Vitamin D. A 2011 study published in the Clinical Journal of Endocrinology Metabolism compared Vitamin D2 to Vitamin D3 and concluded that “D3 is approximately 87% more potent in raising and maintaining serum 25(OH)D concentrations and produces 2- to 3-fold greater storage of Vitamin D than does equimolar D2.”
“D3 is approximately 87% more potent than D2”
A 2006 article published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition compared Vitamin D2 to Vitamin D3 and made a stark conclusion that due to “the inefficiency of Vitamin D2 compared with Vitamin D3, on a per mole basis, at increasing 25(OH)D”, that “Vitamin D2 should no longer be regarded as a nutrient appropriate for supplementation or fortification of foods.”
