Vitamin D3 is more efficient than D2. You get vitamin D from food, supplements, and sunshine. Vitamin D is important for bone and muscle strength and immune function. It may help prevent depression, inflammatory disease, and heart disorders.
Taken in appropriate doses, vitamin D is generally considered safe. However, taking too much vitamin D in the form of supplements can be harmful. Children age 9 years and older, adults, and pregnant and breastfeeding women who take more than 4,000 IU a day of vitamin D might experience: Nausea and vomiting.
According to Bannan, D3 is the body's preferred form of vitamin D because it's produced in the body naturally and is more efficient at increasing blood levels. In fact, D3 is 87% more potent and effective4 at raising and maintaining serum 25(OH)D levels than D2.
There are quite a few differences between vitamin D and vitamin D3, but the main difference between them is that vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that regulates calcium and phosphorous levels in the body, whereas the vitamin D3 is the natural form of vitamin D produced by the body from sunlight.
Some side effects of taking too much vitamin D include weakness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, and others. Taking vitamin D for long periods of time in doses higher than 4000 IU (100 mcg) daily is possibly unsafe and may cause very high levels of calcium in the blood.
Too much vitamin D can cause harmful high calcium levels. Tell your doctor right away if any of these signs of high vitamin D/calcium levels occur: nausea/vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, mental/mood changes, unusual tiredness.
Topical application of vitamin D3 has been shown to render protection against damage caused to the skin by UV light. Vitamin D reduces cell death, promotes cell survival and reduces redness due to photodamage of skin caused by UV radiation, to some extent.
While the best timing has not been established, scientific data to confirm anecdotal reports that supplementing at night may interfere with sleep is unavailable. Current research suggests you can fit vitamin D into your routine whenever you prefer.
Vitamin D supplements are available as vitamin D2 (D2) and vitamin D3 (D3). Both versions can be used to treat vitamin D deficiency, but D3 seems to be more effective than D2. Vitamin D2 is still prescribed to people with low vitamin D levels, because it's more readily available in higher doses.
Because Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, it's best absorbed in the bloodstream in the presence of dietary fat. It also helps to eat Vitamin D-rich food from animals and take supplements that contain Vitamin D3.
“Vitamin D3 cholecalciferol is the most absorbable and potent form, [whereas] Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is typically plant-based and not as effective at raising vitamin D levels in the body and thus is not recommended as often,” she explains.
In our study, the microencapsulated form of vitamin D was the most bioavailable.
Vitamin D keeps your immune system strong and can help regulate insulin levels. It keeps your energy levels up and enhances your mood, too.
It may help prevent depression, inflammatory disease, and heart disorders. Adults under 70 should get 600 IU a day. Older adults should get 800 IU. Supplements are the most reliable way to get enough vitamin D.
If your blood levels are exceptionally low, you may need higher doses that should be used under the direction of a healthcare provider. In patients with vitamin D levels less than 20 ng/mL, start with 50,000 IUs of vitamin D3 once a week for 6 to 8 weeks.
People considering starting a Vitamin D3 regimen without the advice of a doctor should consider supplementing with magnesium as well to prevent the adverse effects of unabsorbed calcium.
Therefore, conditions that affect the gut and digestion, like celiac disease, chronic pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, and cystic fibrosis, can reduce vitamin D absorption.
Besides boosting mood and promoting calcium absorption, recent studies have shown that vitamin D may also aid in weight loss. For people with extra belly fat, a vitamin D supplement may be beneficial.
Vitamin D3 produced by the skin provides anti-oxidant protection and improved hydration to the skin, preventing premature ageing of the skin. Vitamin D is one of the most important anti-ageing vitamins and antioxidant for your skin.
One role vitamin D plays is stimulating new and old hair follicles. When there isn't enough vitamin D in your system, new hair growth can be stunted. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to alopecia, the autoimmune condition that causes bald patches on the scalp and other areas of the body.
Vitamin D undergoes further chemical changes, first in the liver and then in the kidneys, to become calcitriol. Calcitriol acts on the intestine, kidneys, and bones to maintain normal levels of blood calcium and phosphorus.
2. Vitamin D may regulate mood and reduce depression. Research has shown that vitamin D might play an important role in regulating mood and decreasing the risk of depression. A review of 7,534 people found that those experiencing negative emotions who received vitamin D supplements noticed an improvement in symptoms.
Taking too much vitamin D can lead to an excess of calcium in the blood, resulting in physical symptoms such as frequent urination, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Vitamin D toxicity also can lead to kidney or bone problems such as kidney stones.