Taking a certain form of Vitamin D could have a negative effect, a new study suggests.
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the more potent and longer-lasting form of the vitamin. It’s produced naturally when the body is exposed to sunlight and is also found in animal products.
Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), meanwhile, comes from plant or fungal sources, per the National Institutes of Health.
Researchers from the University of Surrey in the U.K. found that taking vitamin D2 can cause reduced levels of vitamin D3 in the body,per Fox News.
That determination was made by analyzing 11 randomized controlled trials including 655 adults, which showed that people taking vitamin D2 supplements had less vitamin D3 than those who didn’t take D2, according to the university news release.
The study was conducted along with the John Innes Center and the Quadram Institute Bioscience in Norwich, England. The findings were published in the journal Nutrition Reviews.
“Vitamin D supplements are important, especially between October and March, when our bodies cannot make vitamin D from sunlight in the U.K.,” lead researcher Emily Brown, a Ph.D. research fellow from the University of Surrey’s Nutrition, Exercise, Chronobiology & Sleep Discipline, said in the news release.
“However, we discovered that vitamin D2 supplements can actually decrease levels of vitamin D3 in the body, which is a previously unknown effect of taking these supplements. This study suggests that, subject to personal considerations, vitamin D3 supplements may be more beneficial for most individuals over vitamin D2.”
Earlier research had suggested that the two forms of vitamin D were not interchangeable. The new release said a study published in Frontiers in Immunology and also conducted by the University of Surrey found that vitamin D3 is more effective in boosting the immune system and protecting the body from viral and bacterial diseases.
“We have shown that vitamin D3, but not vitamin D2, appears to stimulate the type I interferon signaling system in the body — a key part of the immune system that provides a first line of defense against bacteria and viruses,” said professor Colin Smith, who led the study. “Thus, a healthy vitamin D3 status may help prevent viruses and bacteria from gaining a foothold in the body.”
Professor Martin Warren, chief scientific officer at the Quadram Institute, confirmed in the release that vitamin D deficiency is a “significant public health concern,” particularlyduring the winter months.
“This collaborative research effort aligns well with the Quadram Institute’s mission to deliver healthier lives through food innovation to enhance the nutrient density of the food we eat,” he said. “Tackling this with the most effective form of vitamin D supplementation or fortification is of the utmost importance to the health of the nation.”
