Vitamin D2 vs D3: which is the better choice for you?
Neil Goffart
Neil Goffart
Vitamin D is essential to our health and unique in that our body synthesises it in response to sun exposure. Even so, vitamin D deficiencies are common, which underlines the importance of vitamin D supplements. Two forms of this vitamin, vitamin D3 and vitamin D2, are at the heart of many debates in nutraceuticals. Vitamin D3, often of animal origin, is known for its efficient absorption and its benefits for bone health. Vitamin D2, by contrast, is of plant or fungal origin and is frequently used in vegan supplements.
These two forms of vitamin D are not limited to bone health: they play a vital role in calcium absorption, immune support and many other areas of health. Understanding their differences, their sources and how to work them into your diet effectively — not least through supplements — is key to maintaining an optimal balance of this essential vitamin.
In this article we explore the characteristics and benefits of vitamin D3 and vitamin D2, highlighting the key differences between them and offering advice on choosing the supplement best suited to your needs. We also look at the importance of vitamin D in the diet and at the best vitamin D supplements for bone health. We put the spotlight on vitamin D3 for better calcium absorption and on vitamin D2 in vegan food supplements, along with tips to raise your vitamin D levels naturally.
Ces deux formes de vitamine D ne se limitent pas à la santé des os ; elles jouent un rôle vital dans l'absorption du calcium, le renforcement de l'immunité et bien d’autres axes de santé. Comprendre leurs différences, leurs sources, et comment les intégrer efficacement dans notre régime, notamment à travers les suppléments, est crucial pour maintenir un équilibre optimal de cette vitamine indispensable.
Dans cet article, nous explorerons les caractéristiques et les avantages de la Vitamine D3 et de la Vitamine D2, en mettant en évidence les différences clés entre elles et en offrant des conseils pour choisir le complément le plus adapté à vos besoins. Nous aborderons également l'importance de la Vitamine D dans l'alimentation et des meilleurs compléments de Vitamine D pour la santé osseuse. Nous mettrons en avant la Vitamine D3 pour une meilleure absorption du calcium et la Vitamine D2 dans les compléments alimentaires végétaliens, ainsi que des conseils pour augmenter naturellement les niveaux de Vitamine D.
Vitamin D3, known scientifically as cholecalciferol, stands out as a superior form of vitamin D, particularly compared with vitamin D2. This preference for vitamin D3 in food supplements stems from its greater efficacy and from the fact that the human body can synthesise it naturally.
Vitamin D3 plays an essential role in maintaining bone health and in the optimal functioning of the immune system. It supports the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, minerals vital to the strength of bones and teeth[1]. In addition, vitamin D3 is involved in several bodily functions, such as the regulation of growth, and plays a part in the differentiation of white blood cells, contributing to the proper functioning of the immune system.
The liposomal form of vitamin D3 represents a significant advance in the field of vitamin D supplements, offering an innovative way to improve the absorption and bioavailability of vitamin D[2]. This technology, which encapsulates vitamin D3 in liposomes, allows more efficient absorption by the body than traditional supplement forms.
Liposomal vitamin D3 ensures optimal tolerance of this essential vitamin, which is sought after for at-risk groups such as older adults or people living in areas with low sun exposure.
In this context, algae-based liposomal vitamin D3, as offered by the Vita-algue brand, stands out as a first-choice option. The innovative product liposomal D3+K2 draws on liposomal technology for better absorption while also choosing a sustainable plant source, making the supplement suitable for vegetarians and for anyone looking for non-animal alternatives.
Bringing vitamin D3 from algae into our liposomal D3+K2 product underlines our commitment to natural, environmentally responsible health solutions. This approach answers the growing demand for vitamin D supplements that support not only bone health and immunity but also the principles of mindful, sustainable eating. By choosing supplements such as vitamin D3 from Vita-algue, consumers get a formula that makes the most of the benefits of vitamin D.
Vitamin D2, also known as ergocalciferol, is a plant-derived form of vitamin D and is often set alongside vitamin D3 in nutraceutical discussions. Although it shares many physiological functions with cholecalciferol — not least in maintaining bone health and regulating minerals in the body — vitamin D2 differs in its origin and its absorption mechanism[3].
Understanding the differences between vitamin D2 and D3, particularly in terms of origin and absorption efficiency, is fundamental to choosing the vitamin D supplement best suited to your needs.
The world of vitamin D supplements is broad and varied, with options to suit different diets and dietary preferences. Whether you opt for the more traditional vitamin D3 or for vegan-friendly vitamin D2, understanding their sources, benefits and modes of absorption is essential.
The search for the perfect vitamin D supplement becomes simpler with the arrival of liposomal vitamin D3 Vegan. This innovation combines the benefits of vitamin D2 and D3.
Sun exposure is the main natural way to produce vitamin D3, an active form of vitamin D. When our skin is exposed to UVB rays, it converts cholesterol into vitamin D3 — a fascinating process that underlines the importance of moderate sun exposure for health. Factors such as latitude, season, time of day, skin type and sunscreen can nevertheless influence this synthesis. As a result, some people may be prone to vitamin D deficiencies, particularly in winter or in less sunny regions, making the use of vitamin D supplements or a diet rich in vitamin D necessary.
In conclusion, vitamin D is crucial to our health, playing an indispensable role in bone health, calcium absorption and immune support. The arrival of liposomal vitamin D3 Vegan marks a revolution in how we approach vitamin D supplements, combining the benefits of vitamin D2 and D3 in a highly absorbable formula suited to vegans. This innovation offers an effective solution for anyone looking to make up vitamin D deficiencies while keeping to a vegan diet.
Choosing between vitamin D2 and D3 is no longer a dilemma thanks to liposomal vitamin D3 Vegan, which delivers superior absorption and robust immune support while coming from plant sources. Natural dietary sources of vitamin D3 and moderate sun exposure remain important, but for those living in areas with little sunshine or following specific diets, liposomal vitamin D3 Vegan represents a major step forward.
It is essential to consult a healthcare professional to determine the vitamin D dosage best suited to your needs, so that you gain the full benefits of this essential vitamin without any risk of excessive intake. Ultimately, whether you opt for vitamin D2 or for the new generation of liposomal vitamin D3 Vegan, what matters is choosing a supplement that supports your overall health and meets your specific nutritional needs.
Our team is here to help you
Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 7pm.
Saturday from 10am to 5pm.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol, and vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, are two forms of vitamin D. D2 comes mainly from ergosterol, found notably in mushrooms, while D3 is produced naturally in the skin under the action of UVB rays and can also be supplied by the diet or by supplements. In the body, both D2 and D3 must be converted into 25-hydroxyvitamin D and then into biologically active metabolites.
Vitamin D3 generally appears more effective at raising total blood 25(OH)D concentration. A meta-analysis of 24 studies and 1,277 participants observed a greater increase with cholecalciferol than with ergocalciferol. A more recent meta-analysis, including daily intakes in particular, points to the same trend. This concerns mainly biological vitamin D status, however, and does not demonstrate that D3 systematically delivers greater clinical benefits than D2.
Yes. European health claims relate to vitamin D in general, not exclusively to vitamin D3. Vitamin D contributes in particular to the normal absorption and utilisation of calcium and phosphorus, to the maintenance of normal blood calcium levels, normal bones, normal teeth and normal muscle function, and to the normal function of the immune system. It also has a role in the process of cell division.
Yes, some forms of vitamin D3 can now come from non-animal sources, while D2 is traditionally obtained from fungal sources.
3000 IU is equivalent to 75 µg of vitamin D3. The LEPIVITS Vitamin D3 Forte formula provides for one capsule a day with a meal. In Belgium, 75 µg is currently the maximum amount of vitamin D permitted per daily portion of a food supplement. The EFSA also sets the tolerable upper intake level for adults at 100 µg/day from all sources combined. You should therefore take into account any other supplements containing vitamin D and follow the recommended dosage.
[1] Laird E, Ward M, McSorley E, Strain JJ, Wallace J. Vitamin D and bone health: potential mechanisms. Nutrients. 2010 Jul;2(7):693-724. doi: 10.3390/nu2070693. Epub 2010 Jul 5. PMID: 22254049; PMCID: PMC3257679.
[2] Dałek P, Drabik D, Wołczańska H, Foryś A, Jagas M, Jędruchniewicz N, Przybyło M, Witkiewicz W, Langner M. Bioavailability by design - Vitamin D3 liposomal delivery vehicles. Nanomedicine. 2022 Jul;43:102552. doi: 10.1016/j.nano.2022.102552. Epub 2022 Mar 26. PMID: 35346834; PMCID: PMC895
[3]Tripkovic L, Lambert H, Hart K, Smith CP, Bucca G, Penson S, Chope G, Hyppönen E, Berry J, Vieth R, Lanham-New S. Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Jun;95(6):1357-64. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.111.031070. Epub 2012 May 2. PMID: 22552031; PMCID: PMC3349454.
Health Advice
Cycle menstruel : zoom sur les menstruations et les hormones
Comment fonctionne le cycle menstruel ? Découvrez le rôle des hormones, les différentes phases du cycle, ce qui se passe pendant les menstruations et les approches favorisant le bien-être féminin.
Florence Soupart
Candidiasis : which foods to eat to avoid candida albicans
Candidiasis is common in humans, yet complex to treat. To reduce the risk of developing candida albicans, follow an anti-candida diet.
Neil Goffart
About LEPIVITS
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
clear
formulas
justified
ingredients
honest
communication
a documented quality standard.
