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Vitamin D2 supplements may deplete more beneficial D3 levels, study finds
By isabelle // 2025-10-27
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  • New research reveals vitamin D2 supplements may reduce beneficial vitamin D3 levels.
  • A University of Surrey study analyzed data from multiple clinical trials.
  • Vitamin D3 is the more potent form naturally produced from sun exposure.
  • The study found D3 uniquely boosts a key part of the immune system.
  • Experts now suggest most people should choose D3 supplements for optimal health.
A surprising discovery from nutritional science is turning the supplement aisle on its head, revealing that a popular form of vitamin D may be undermining your health goals instead of supporting them. Researchers from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom have uncovered that vitamin D2 supplements, consumed by millions, may be actively depleting the body’s stores of the more beneficial vitamin D3. This finding, based on an analysis of 655 adults across multiple gold-standard clinical trials, challenges long-standing supplementation practices and urges a reconsideration of which bottle you pick up to support your immune system and bone health. The investigation, published in the journal Nutrition Reviews, looked into data from several randomized controlled trials. The consistent and startling result was that individuals who took vitamin D2 supplements showed a statistically significant reduction in their vitamin D3 concentrations compared to those who did not. Lead researcher Emily Brown, a doctoral research fellow at the University of Surrey, confirmed the findings. "Study participants who received vitamin D2 supplementation showed statistically significant reductions in vitamin D3 concentrations, compared to controls without supplementation," Brown told The Epoch Times. The analysis indicated that D2 supplementation could lower D3 levels by an average of approximately 18 nanomoles per liter.

The D3 advantage

To understand why this matters, one must look at the two main forms of this essential nutrient. Vitamin D2 is typically derived from plant or fungal sources and is a common ingredient in supplements and fortified foods. Vitamin D3, however, is the form the body naturally produces when skin is exposed to sunlight. It is also found in animal-based foods. While both forms are converted into the same active vitamin in the body, a growing body of evidence confirms they are not created equal. Vitamin D3 is widely recognized as being more potent and longer-lasting. Furthermore, it possesses unique properties that D2 lacks, particularly concerning immune defense. Professor Colin Smith, a co-author of the study from the University of Surrey, pointed to his earlier research that highlighted a critical distinction. "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," Smith stated. He concluded that a healthy vitamin D3 status may therefore help prevent pathogens from gaining a foothold in the body.

A shift in supplement strategy

So, why would taking D2 cause a drop in D3? Researchers theorize it could be the body’s way of maintaining balance. They suggest that enzymes responsible for breaking down vitamin D may become more active in response to D2 supplementation, inadvertently clearing out the more valuable D3 in the process. This previously unknown effect suggests that for most people, choosing a D3 supplement is the more beneficial strategy. This presents a dilemma for those following a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle as most conventional D3 supplements are sourced from sheep’s wool lanolin. However, plant-based alternatives are available for those who seek them. Registered dietitian Helen Tieu, who was not involved in the study, noted, “However, there are vegan vitamin D3 supplements that are made from lichen and algae.” This research underscores that not all supplements are interchangeable, and the source of your nutrients can have unintended consequences. The scientific consensus is building that vitamin D3 is the superior form for supplementation, offering more robust support for bone density and a more effective boost to the immune system. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com FoxNews.com SciTechDaily.com
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