Taking Vitamin D2 Supplements May Reduce Vitamin D3 in the Body, Research Shows

Vitamin D is known to be essential to many aspects of human health, but a new study suggests that taking some form of vitamin D may have a negative effect.

The most potent and long-lasting form, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), is produced naturally when the body is exposed to sunlight and is also found in animal products, while vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) comes from plant or fungal sources, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Researchers at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom have found that taking vitamin D2 can lead to lower levels of vitamin D3 in the body.

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They made this determination by analyzing 11 randomized controlled trials including 655 adults, which showed that people taking vitamin D2 supplements had less vitamin D3 than those who did not, according to a university press release.

The results of the study – conducted in collaboration with the John Innes Center and the Quadram Institute Bioscience in Norwich, England – were published in the journal Nutrition Reviews.

Vitamin D is known to be essential for human health, but a new study suggests that taking some form of vitamin D may have a negative effect. (iStock)

“Vitamin D supplements are important, especially between October and March, when our bodies cannot produce vitamin D from sunlight in the UK,” said lead researcher Emily Brown, a Ph.D. researcher in nutrition, exercise, chronobiology and sleep discipline from the University of Surrey, said in the press release.

“However, we found that vitamin D2 supplements may actually decrease vitamin D3 levels 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 than vitamin D2.”

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Previous research has suggested that the two forms of vitamin D are not interchangeable. A study published in Frontiers in Immunology, also conducted by the University of Surrey, found that vitamin D3 is more effective in strengthening the immune system and protecting the body against viral and bacterial diseases, the release said.

Some foods containing vitamin D3 include fatty fish, egg yolks, cod liver oil, and fortified dairy and animal products, health sources confirm. (iStock)

“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 above. “So a healthy vitamin D3 status can help prevent viruses and bacteria from taking hold in the body.”

Professor Martin Warren, scientific director of the Quadram Institute, confirmed in the statement that vitamin D deficiency is a “significant public health problem”, particularly during the winter months.

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“This collaborative research effort aligns well with the Quadram Institute’s mission to deliver healthier lives through food innovation to improve the nutrient density of the foods we consume,” he said. “Addressing this problem with the most effective form of vitamin D supplementation or fortification is of the utmost importance to the health of the nation.”

More research is needed to determine whether vitamins D2 and D3 affect the body differently — and whether that might change doctors’ medical advice on which type to take, the researchers concluded. (iStock)

More research is needed to determine whether vitamins D2 and D3 affect the body differently — and whether that might change doctors’ medical advice on which type to take, the researchers concluded.

The analysis had several limitations, according to the study results.

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For example, there were only a small number of studies with many differences, such as their duration, the amount and timing of doses, and how outcomes were measured. There is also a risk of bias due to incomplete reporting of details.

The results could also be affected by factors such as the amount of sun exposure, as well as whether some people take supplements and others eat vitamin-fortified foods, the researchers noted.

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Some foods containing vitamin D3 include fatty fish, egg yolks, cod liver oil, and fortified dairy and animal products, health sources confirm. Vitamin D2 can be found in mushrooms, fortified foods, and some herbal/mushroom supplements.

The study was supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).