Difference Between Vitamin D and D3

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin produced by the body when exposed to sunlight. It can also be obtained through certain dietary sources. Vitamin D3 is a specific form of vitamin D that is efficiently absorbed and converted into its active form by the body. As these vitamins are essential for the overall health of an individual, it is necessary to maintain their adequate levels either through proper diet, supplements or sun exposure.

Although both vitamin D and D3 have a shared role in calcium absorption, bone health and immune functions, they significantly differ in their dietary sources, metabolic pathways and production mechanisms. This article will delve deeper into the specifics of both vitamins D and D3, enabling us to highlight the major differences between them.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. There are two primary sources of vitamin D. It is produced by the body when exposed to sunlight or through dietary sources such as fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified foods like milk and cereal or through supplements. Vitamin D is absorbed in the small intestine and is converted into its active form, calcitriol in the liver and kidneys.

Functions of Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in physiological processes of the body, absorption of calcium, bone health and certain immune functions. It is also considered as the vital nutrient. There are many functions of Vitamin D. Some of which include ?

• Helps in the absorption of calcium that is essential for building strong bones and teeth.
• Prevents bone-related diseases like osteoporosis and rickets.
• Regulates the immune system thereby protecting the body from diseases and infections.
• Regulates blood pressure, and also plays a crucial role in muscle functioning and insulin sensitivity.

Deficiency of Vitamin D

Deficiency of vitamin D is a common world-wide health problem. Symptoms which can be commonly related to vitamin D deficiency are fatigue, bone weakness or pain, mood disorders, and muscle weakness.

Factors Affecting Vitamin D Production

Vitamin D levels are influenced by several factors, like ?

• Skin type or skin pigmentation can determine the levels of vitamin D production. People with darker skin require more exposure to sunlight to produce vitamin D.
• People living near to the equator are darker as they receive more sunlight when compared to the people living farther or towards the poles.
• Seasons can influence the production of vitamin D by the body. In summers, it is prominent as there is more sunlight.
• As people age, the level of production of vitamin D from sunlight might decrease. Similarly, obese people also produce low levels of vitamin D due to interference with certain biochemical pathways involved in the vitamin D production.
• Certain medications may also affect the production of vitamin D in individuals.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is a specific form of vitamin D produced by the body when exposed to sunlight. It is the more bioavailable form of vitamin D. Similar to vitamin D, D3 can also be obtained through certain dietary sources such as fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna or through fortified foods like milk, orange, juice, and cereals. Vitamin D3 is obtained more efficiently absorbed than D2 in the small intestine. After absorption, D3 is transported to the liver and is converted into its less active form, which is further transported to the kidneys to get converted into calcitriol, an active form of vitamin D3.

Functions of Vitamin D3

Similar to vitamin D, D3 is also involved in calcium absorption, bone health and regulating the immune functions. Calcium absorption helps in building and maintaining strong bones and teeth, while regulation of immune functions, muscle functions, blood pressure, and other functions of the body helps in maintaining a healthier lifestyle. Having adequate D3 levels decreases the risk of osteoporosis and rickets. Deficiency of vitamin D3 can lead to mood disorders, fatigue, muscle weakness, and even bone pain.

Factors Affecting Vitamin D3 Production

Factors such as age, use of medications, obesity can interfere with vitamin D3 production and absorption. Vitamin D3 is produced more by the people staying close to the equator when compared to those living away or at the poles.

Differences Between Vitamin D and Vitamin D3

Both vitamin D and D3 are similar in the sources they are obtained from, their functions, the diseases or infections they may cause when not in adequate levels. Refer to the below table for a comparative study of both vitamin D and D3.

Conclusion

While vitamin D and vitamin D3 share many similarities, like functions and benefits, they differ primarily in their production, dietary sources, and absorption. Vitamin D3 is the more bioavailable form of vitamin D, and is hence preferred as a supplement. However, both vitamin D and D3 are essential for maintaining optimal health.