What is the difference between vitamin d and d2?

Let’s face it – when it comes to vitamins, we generally only care about taking them regularly. Who cares whether it’s vitamin C, B12 or X-9? As long as they do the job of keeping us healthy, everything is hunky-dory! But what happens when you are told by a doctor that you aren’t getting enough vitamin D in your diet? You can read all about sun exposure and foods rich in Vitamin D online; however, what if someone goes on to tell you that there are different types of Vitamin D itself? Say whaaattt!! Yes folks! There exists two primary forms of this sunshine vitamin: Vitamin D and Vitamin D2.

Before we dive deep into the topic at hand here, let me brush up some basics about vitamins which everyone should know:

What Are Vitamins?

You might recall from school textbooks that vitamins are organic substances our body needs for growth and development. They play an essential role in energy regulation, immune function and bone health among other things.

Why Do We Need Them?

Our cells need important nutrients such as proteins, lipids (fats), carbohydrates/minerals/vitamins & trace elements etc., for maintaining vital functions like building genetic material(DNA/RNA) , cellular functioning (intra/inter-cellular signalling) or physical maintenance(growth/reproduction).

That being said, humans cannot make most vitamins naturally within their bodies themselves Hence consuming them via food sources(Yoghurt/milk/orange juice/breakfast cereals/chicken/fish/beef/lamb pork/kidney beans/tofu/oatmeal/spinach/Greek yogurt/salmon/dairy/etc) remains crucial.

A Quick Briefing on Vitamin Absorption

Of note,vitamins usually get absorbed by the body through dietary fats. Yup, you heard me right – we always thought gaining weight was bad, but fat is not all that bad for our bodies.

So basically when you have oily fish like salmon or mackerel or even eggs cooked in butter/oil form one of your meals, that helps the Vitamin D get into your system faster and more efficiently.

Perhaps the most critical difference between vitamin D and D2 is how they differ from each other chemically speaking.
Chemically speaking:
Vitamin D – (a.k.a cholecalciferol)is synthesised when sunlight reacts with cholesterol present on our skin.Therefore also known as Sunshine vitamin
Vitamin d2– Made by plant sterols instead of cholesterol .Ergocalciferol(D2) is produced commercially by subjecting a type of fungus called Saccharomyces cerevisiae to UV irradiation after feeding it with radiated yeast.The Oily fish , Liver & Egg Yolk are few natural sources rich in Vit.D whereas ergocalciferol can only be derived via functionally enhanced food or supplements.

The Reasons Why We Need Them

One thing common to both forms of Vitamin includes their benefit towards calcium absorption: which helps strengthen teeth,bones as well as fighting against specific chronic conditions such as osteoporosis,cancer etc.

Benefits Of Taking Each Vitamin Separately

Vitamic D benefits

  • It affects all Human cells deep down at genetic level so impacts every organ sececretly-such as heart,liver,kidneys
    and lungs .That being said its’ regular intake makes sure everything runs smoothly within vital organs healthwise .
    Adequate Vit.D levels thus lower incident rates w.r.t. diabetes/hypertension/heart attacks/Parkinson’s / other immunity disorders etc.

  • Due to its role in calcium absorption,and meant for controlling Bone Density along with protection from fractures ,Vit.D is known to have direct impact upon our bones – thus consuming more Vit D, means having better bone And muscle health or joint integrity as we age.

Vitamin D2 benefits

  • While both are good towards supporting body parts (namely – lungs,muscles,spleen,liver & Mortality management), vitamin d2 levels require attention whenever the cognitive functioning of nerves/synaptic deaths/nervous cord issues joints ‘cartilage start deteriorating via slower cycle time(Hx). By restoring natural ergocalciferol production,the consequential working could be accelerated.

Therefore,Ergocalciferol remains helpful against faired condition that can arise solely at old/young age and has become a common concern.

How Do We Get Enough Of Each Vitamin In Our Body?

We so far got that both vitamins are required by human system but their roles differ.Though few foods like oily fish,tuna/mushrooms /egg yolks/meat alongside naturally enriched milk/yogurt give enough(too little though) daily dosage needed for sustaining healthy balanced vitals.(sunset limilted -@10 mcg per day).

That being said,when people aren’t getting sufficient nutrients(meaning,vitamin intake either thru’ diet or supplements gets lesser than normal value)/sun exposure becomes scarce,supplement bands taking pre-determined regulated quantity amounts of ‘vitamin d3’ enter into the picture (‘x’ IU doses varying brands)

Conclusion

Hopefully after reading this article you’re no longer left scratching your head about what the two different types of vitamin D actually stand for! As always, if you’re unsure whether you should take any supplements/or what specific doseage amount works best with respect to personal health circumstances consulting MD/endocrine specialist first helps flesh out things. Remember folks, a little education can go a long way in improving overall health and quality of life!

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