Is a prescription required for vitamin D?ĭepending on the strength of vitamin D2 or D3 you’re looking for, you may not need a prescription. The answer lies in the available formulations of the vitamin, which we’ll explore next. Given that D3 seems to be a better option for supplementation, you might be wondering why providers prescribe vitamin D2 instead. So while both can be used as a supplement, D3 seems to be slightly superior to vitamin D2. Evidence shows that D2 is actually less effective at raising vitamin D levels, and has a shorter duration of action than its D3 counterpart. But now we know this is not entirely the case. There was a time when these two forms of vitamin D were thought to be equivalent and interchangeable. They are very similar molecules, and both are easily absorbed by the body. Vitamin D3, also referred to as cholecalciferol Vitamin D2, also referred to as ergocalciferol There are two versions of vitamin D that can be found in supplements: What is vitamin D2 and is it better than vitamin D3? But some people choose to take supplements to keep their vitamin D levels at a normal level - especially if they have or are at risk for low levels of it. After all, it takes only 5 to 30 minutes of sun exposure a day for your body to make enough of it. Most people have adequate levels of vitamin D through these two sources. It is more common to find foods that are artificially fortified with vitamin D, like cereals and milk.Ģ) Sunlight: Our body can actually make its own vitamin D! When we are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, our skin uses the sunlight to make the vitamin from scratch. There are two natural sources of vitamin D:ġ) Food: There are only a small number of foods that naturally contain vitamin D. It is well-known for keeping our bones strong, but it also plays a role in other functions, including: Vitamin D is an important ingredient in many different cellular processes in the body. So what’s the difference? And which one is better? Here, we will clear up the confusion around vitamin D supplements, and explain why some people are prescribed vitamin D2. There are actually two different versions available: vitamin D2 (D2) and vitamin D3 (D3).
But there are many different ways to supplement vitamin D levels. Vitamin D2 is prescribed to people who have low levels of vitamin D.
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