Vitamin D3 Is More Potent Than Vitamin D2 in Humans

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Abstract<http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/96/3/E447.abstract?sid=13a55f7a-8c\

a6-4c52-90c2-e6bad3ff03a6>

*Background:*Current unitage for the calciferols suggests that equimolar

quantities of vitamins D2 (D2) and D3 (D3) are biologically equivalent.

Published studies yield mixed results.

*Objective:*The aim of the study was to compare the potencies of D2 and D3.

*Design:*The trial used a single-blind, randomized design in 33 healthy

adults. Calciferols were dosed at 50,000 IU/wk for 12 wk. Principal outcome

variables were area under the curve for incremental total

25-hydroxyvitaminD [25(OH)D] and change in calciferol content of sc

fat.

*Results:*Incremental mean (sd) 25(OH)D area under the curve at 12 wk was

1366 ng · d/ml (516) for the D2-treated group and 2136 (606) for the

D3 (*P*< 0.001). Mean (

sd) steady-state 25(OH)D increments showed similar differences: 24 ng/ml for

D2 (10.3) and 45 ng/ml (16.2) for D3 (*P* <0.001). Subcutaneous fat content

of D2 rose by 50 ìg/kg in the D2-treated group, and D3 content rose by 104

ìg/kg in the D3-treated group. Total calciferol in fat rose by only 33 ng/kg

in the D2-treated, whereas it rose by 104 ìg/kg in the D3-treated group.

Extrapolating to total body fat D3, storage amounted to just 17% of the

administered dose.

*Conclusion:*D3 is approximately 87% more potent in raising and maintaining

serum 25(OH)D concentrations and produces 2- to 3-fold greater storage of

vitamin D than does equimolar D2. For neither was there evidence of

sequestration in fat, as had been postulated for doses in this range. Given

its greater potency and lower cost, D3 should be the preferred treatment

option when correcting vitamin D deficiency.

Footnotes

Abbreviations:

AUCArea under the curveAUC84AUC to 84 dBMIbody mass indexD2vitamin

D2(ergocalciferol)

D3vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)25(OH)D25-hydroxyvitamin D.

--

Ortiz, MS, RD

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