Vitamins are essential for good health. Vitamin D is one of the crucial nutrients the body needs to function correctly.
This article will explore the difference between vitamin D and vitamin d3. Before we proceed, let’s understand what these vitamins mean.
Vitamin D is fat-soluble in a family of compounds that includes five molecules, the most important being vitamins d2 and d3.
The human body needs vitamins to grow and develop bones and teeth.
Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphorus absorption and facilitates the immune system’s normal function.
In our definition above, you must have noticed that we said vitamin D is a compound that includes vitamins d2 and d3.
Vitamin D describes these vitamins, which are different in some ways but function similarly in the body.
This means that vitamin d3 is just a subset of vitamin D. Hence, we notice a stark difference between vitamin D and D3.
Vitamin D is an umbrella term for nutrients that come in different forms, like the “B” family of vitamins, which comprises folic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, and others.
You cannot find anything labeled as just “vitamin D” on the vitamin counter in any pharmacy. Instead, you will be faced with vitamin D2 or D3 options.
Technically speaking, the difference between vitamin D and D3 lies in the fact that vitamin D is a family name for nutrients that share similar chemical configurations.
Difference Between These Vitamins
As mentioned earlier, vitamin D is the umbrella term for vitamins in the “D” family.
These terms are often confusing, so customers sometimes go to the drug store in search of vitamin D, only to discover that there is no label for just vitamin D.
They find just two options: vitamin D2 or D3. Generally, the person’s implied choice is vitamin D2 whenever one mentions vitamin D.
As we highlight the difference between vitamin D and vitamin D3 in this article, when vitamin D is mentioned, we will refer to vitamin D2.
Let’s dive deeper and discover the difference between these vitamins. Don’t forget that in this article, when we mention vitamin D, we refer to vitamin d2.
Generic Name
Vitamin D (D2) and vitamin D3 differ in their generic names. Vitamin D’s generic name is Ergocalciferol, also known as Drisdol, Calcidol, and Calciferol.
Vitamin D3’s generic name is Cholecalciferol, also known as Decara and Dialyvite D3 Max.
How do We Get Them?
Another difference between vitamin D and vitamin d3 is their dietary source. Vitamin D naturally comes from plant sources such as mushrooms and yeast.
Conversely, vitamin D3, on the other hand, can be obtained from animal food sources such as liver, fish oil, egg yolks, and fatty fish.
One other distinctive difference between these vitamins is how the body manufactures them.
The human body can make vitamin d3 in the skin when sunlight strikes the skin.
No wonder it is often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin.” However, the human body does not manufacture vitamin D.
Cost
A further difference between vitamin D and vitamin D3 is that vitamin D, I.e., d2, is less expensive to produce. Hence, it is widely used to fortify foods such as orange juice, milk, and cereal.
Let’s delve a little into history to ascertain why foods were fortified. Back in the 1930s, rickets were rampant (rickets come from vitamin D deficiency).
To fight this disease that weakens the bones, vitamin D was introduced into certain foods. Today, nearly all milk supplies are fortified.
A cup serving contains about 3mcg (120IU) of vitamin D. Plant-based milk varieties like almond and soy milk are fortified with vitamin D.
Effects on the Immune System
Both vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 effectively boost the human immune system.
However, regarding how effective they are to the human system, research suggests that vitamin d3 is approximately 87% superior in boosting blood levels.
Conclusion
Vitamin D is essential for health. Health professionals recommend consuming 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day.
This vitamin plays a crucial role in our well-being by supporting healthy bones, the nervous system, and the immune system.
As we have seen so far, the significant difference between vitamin D and vitamin D3 lies in the fact that vitamin D is an umbrella term for vitamins in the “D” family.
Notwithstanding, we also established that vitamins D2 and D3 are the primary forms of vitamin D and that both perform the same role in the body.
They can be obtained from plants, animals, sunshine, and dietary supplements.
