The type our bodies naturally make is called cholecalciferol, which is vitamin D3. Why? Well, manmade D vitamin is made one of two ways: D2 is created by irradiating yeast and other molds (known as vegetarian vitamin D2) or by irradiating animal oils and cholesterol, creating vitamin D3. There are two types of vitamin D supplements: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). The precursor to vitamin D is found in both plant and animal products, but animal-derived products of vitamin D3 are thought to be more absorbable and beneficial.
Previtamin D first travels through the kidneys and liver in the bloodstream and then is converted into calcitriol.
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However, because many people today don’t spend time in the sun each day, or regularly consume foods that provide enough vitamin D (which is hard to do), most adults - and children too, even infants and breastfed babies - are now encouraged to supplement with vitamin D. It’s estimated that up to 95 percent of most people’s vitamin D comes from casual sunlight exposure. Given all of these vitamin D benefits, it’s unfortunate that so many people (at least 40 percent to 80 percent of Americans, depending on race, for example) are lacking in this essential vitamin. What does vitamin D do exactly? Research indicates that this so-called “sunshine vitamin” impacts not only your bones and skeletal structure, but also immune function, blood pressure, mood, brain function and your body’s overall ability to protect against a range of illnesses.Īccording to a 2019 review, benefits of vitamin D are thought to include support for bone health and immunity, as well as resistance against chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and depression - along with infections and viruses. This is important because vitamin D benefits the body in so many ways. More and more research shows just how important it is for overall health to get enough sun exposure - one reason being because the sun provides us with vitamin D.