Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Comparative Effects of Vitamin D2 Versus Vitamin D3 Supplementation in Improving Serum 25(OH)D Status: A Review of the Evidence

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Nutritional Influences on Bone Health

  • 1630 Accesses

Abstract

At present, there appears to be a degree of controversy regarding the comparative effectiveness of vitamin D2 and D3 in raising and maintaining serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels. It was previously believed that the two vitamers were comparable in metabolic function; however, it is now known that when comparing vitamin D2 to D3, there are a small number of structural differences in the molecular makeup of these vitamers. Thus, the area of “vitamin D2 versus vitamin D3” research is expanding and exploring the possible mechanistic pathways that may highlight a clear and quantifiable difference between vitamin D2 and D3 that could have far-reaching consequences for both future vitamin D research and public health policy alike.

With this in mind, a recent meta-analysis of the current research available has shown that while the majority of data appear to support the conclusion that vitamin D3 appears to be more efficacious than D2, this does not always translate across all studies. Therefore, this review explores the studies involved, the possible mechanism behind the reported differences between vitamin D2 and D3, and the need for future research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Abbreviations

1,24,25(OH)3D:

1,24,25-Trihydroxyvitamin D

1,25(OH)2D2 :

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol)

25(OH)D:

25-Hydroxyvitamin D

AUC:

Area under curve

PTH:

Parathyroid hormone

VDR:

Vitamin D receptor

References

  1. Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(3):266–81.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Naewbanij M, Seib PA, Burroughs R, Seitz LM, Chung DS. Determination of ergosterol using thin-layer chromatography and ultraviolet spectroscopy. Cereal Chem. 1984;61(5):385–8.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Calman K. ed. Nutrition and bone health with particular reference to calcium and vitamin D: Report of the Subgroup on Bone Health (Working Group on the Nutritional Status of the Population) of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy. London: The Stationary Office; 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ross CA, Taylor CL, Yaktime AL, Del Valle HB. ed. Dietary reference intakes for calcium and vitamin D. Committee to review dietary reference intakes for vitamin D and calcium; Institute of Medicine. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Trang HM, Cole DEC, Rubin LA, Pierratos A, Siu S, Vieth R. Evidence that vitamin D-3 increases serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D more efficiently than does vitamin D-2. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998;68(4):854–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Romagnoli E, Mascia ML, Cipriani C, Fassino V, Mazzei F, D’Erasmo E, Carnevale V, Scillitani A, Minisola S. Short and long-term variations in serum calciotropic hormones after a single very large dose of ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) or cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) in the elderly. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93(8):3015–20.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Holick MF, Biancuzzo RM, Chen TC, Klein EK, Young A, Bibuld D, Reitz R, Salameh W, Ameri A, Tannenbaum AD. Vitamin D2 is as effective as vitamin D3 in maintaining circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93(3):677–81.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Biancuzzo RM, Young A, Bibuld D, Cai MH, Winter MR, Klein EK, Ameri A, Reitz R, Salameh W, Chen TC, Holick MF. Fortification of orange juice with vitamin D(2) or vitamin D(3) is as effective as an oral supplement in maintaining vitamin D status in adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91(6):1621–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Houghton LA, Vieth R. The case against ergocalciferol (vitamin D-2) as a vitamin supplement. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;84(4):694–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Holmberg I, Berlin T, Ewerth S, Bjorkhem I. 25-Hydroxylase activity in subcellular-fractions from human-liver – evidence for different rates of mitochondrial hydroxylation of vitamin-D2 and vitamin-D3. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1986;46(8):785–90.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Horst RL, Reinhardt TA, Ramberg CF, Koszewski NJ, Napoli JL. 24-Hydroxylation of 1,25dihydroxyergocalciferol—an unambiguous deactivation process. J Biol Chem 1986;261:9250–6.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Tripkovic L, Lambert H, Hart K, Smith CP, Bucca G, Penson S, Chope G, Hypponen 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;95(6):1357–64.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Tjellesen L, Hummer L, Christiansen C, Rodbro P. Serum concentration of vitamin-D metabolites during treatment with vitamin-D2 and vitamin-D3 in normal premenopausal women. Bone Miner. 1986;1(5):407–13.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Armas LAG, Hollis BW, Heaney RP. Vitamin D(2) is much less effective than vitamin D(3) in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metabol. 2004;89(11):5387–91.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Binkley N, Gemar D, Engelke J, Gangnon R, Ramamurthy R, Krueger D, Drezner MK. Evaluation of ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol dosing, 1,600 IU daily or 50,000 IU monthly in older adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metabol. 2011;96(4):981–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Heaney RP, Recker RR, Grote J, Horst RL, Armas LAG. Vitamin D(3) is more potent than vitamin D(2) in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metabol. 2011;96(3):E447–52.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Glendenning P, Chew GT, Seymour HM, Gillett MJ, Goldswain PR, Inderjeeth CA, Vasikaran SD, Taranto M, Musk AA, Fraser WD. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in vitamin D-insufficient hip fracture patients after supplementation with ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol. Bone. 2009;45(5):870–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Leventis P, Kiely PDW. The tolerability and bio-chemical effects of high-dose bolus vitamin D2 and D3 supplementation in patients with vitamin D insufficiency. Scand J Rheumatol. 2009;38(2):149–53.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This summary chapter is written by LT and SLN on behalf of the UK BBSRC-DRINC (BB/I006192/1)-funded D2-D3 Study Team – Helen Lambert, Kathryn Hart (Department of Nutritional Sciences), Colin P. Smith, and Giselda Bucca (Department of Microbial and Cellular Sciences) based at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (University of Surrey, UK), Simon Penson, Gemma Chope (Campden BRI, UK), Elina Hyppönen (Institute of Child Health, University College London, UK), and Jacqueline Berry (Department of Medicine, University of Manchester, UK). The authors would also like to acknowledge Professor Reinhold Vieth (Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Canada) for his contribution to the vitamin D2 versus vitamin D3 debate.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK

    Laura Tripkovic BSc (Hons), PhD & Susan A. Lanham-New BA, MSc, PhD

Authors
  1. Laura Tripkovic BSc (Hons), PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Susan A. Lanham-New BA, MSc, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laura Tripkovic BSc (Hons), PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Internal Medicine, Hirslanden Clinic/Bois Cerf, Ave. d'Ouchy 31, Lausanne, 1006, Vaud, Switzerland

    Peter Burckhardt

  2. , Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, 02111, Massachusetts, USA

    Bess Dawson-Hughes

  3. , Nutrition and Science, Purdue University, W. State Street 700, West Lafayette, 47907-2059, Indiana, USA

    Connie M. Weaver

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer-Verlag London

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Tripkovic, L., Lanham-New, S.A. (2013). The Comparative Effects of Vitamin D2 Versus Vitamin D3 Supplementation in Improving Serum 25(OH)D Status: A Review of the Evidence. In: Burckhardt, P., Dawson-Hughes, B., Weaver, C. (eds) Nutritional Influences on Bone Health. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2769-7_22

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2769-7_22

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-2768-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-2769-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation