VITAMIN D
D2 vs D3
Sources, vegan status and what research says about raising levels.
Compare →Evidence review
Vitamin D2 vs D3: Reading the Research
What the 2012 meta-analysis compared, and how dosing pattern changed the result.
The short answer
A 2012 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials found vitamin D3 raised blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D more effectively than D2. The difference was most pronounced with large, infrequent (bolus) doses and smaller with daily dosing. Both forms raise vitamin D status.
Key takeaways
- D3 > D2 for raising 25(OH)D in pooled trials.
- Bolus dosing showed the biggest gap.
- Both forms work; source matters for vegans.
What was compared
Tripkovic et al. pooled randomized controlled trials that directly compared D2 and D3 supplementation and measured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the standard marker of vitamin D status.
What they found
Overall, D3 was more efficacious at raising serum 25(OH)D. When trials were split by dosing pattern, the advantage was clearer with bolus doses than with daily doses.
What it means for label comparison
If you’re choosing between otherwise similar products, D3 has the comparative edge. If you need a vegan product, both D2 and lichen-derived D3 are options. See D2 vs D3.
Sources & references
- Tripkovic L, Lambert H, Hart K, et al. (2012). Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 95(6). doi:10.3945/ajcn.111.031070Meta-analysis
- Vitamin D: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.govGovernment
SuppScout links to primary and authoritative sources wherever possible. See our editorial policy for how sources are selected and how corrections are handled.
This page is educational and is not medical advice. Talk to a healthcare professional before starting a supplement, especially if you have a medical condition, take medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.