Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes calcium absorption, regulates bone growth, and facilitates immunological functions. In the Vitamin D family, Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 are most commonly found in your diet. While both types help you reach your daily Vitamin D requirements, they differ in several ways. Vitamin D2 mainly comes from plant sources and fortified foods, while Vitamin D3 is only found in animal sources. Research also suggests that Vitamin D2 is less easily absorbed by the body than Vitamin D3.
Your body cannot get adequate amounts of Vitamin D from diet alone. Instead, your skin produces most of the Vitamin D your body requires when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency is usually observed in people with limited sunlight exposure or with a diet that is deficient in Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency can be prevented and reversed by taking oral supplements of ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) or cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) on a daily basis for months.
The content above is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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