Vitamin D is a widely popular dietary supplement. Since the sun is the best source of vitamin D, individuals living in areas without much direct sunlight may become deficient in the vitamin. Additionally, our diets only satisfy about 10-20% of our vitamin D daily requirements. When it comes to choosing a vitamin D supplement, the various options and sub-types of vitamin D may lead to some confusion. Here is a brief explanation on how to determine which vitamin D supplement is right for you.

Recently, much controversy has surrounded the question: which form of vitamin D supplement works best in our bodies? A study that compared the intakes of D2 and D3 in equivalent amounts found no differences in efficacy of the supplements. However, other studies have found vitamin D3 to be superior to D2 in raising blood levels of vitamin D. At this time, further studies are needed to replicate the results and to determine possible explanations of the biochemistry.

Further, most vitamin D supplements are sold as oil-emulsified drops, encapsulated powders, or chewable tablets. There is very little research as to whether different forms of the supplement affect the efficacy of the vitamin D, but a preliminary study has shown that the oil-emulsified drops may work best.

For a more in-depth explanation of the biochemistry of vitamin D and the studies surrounding this supplement, refer to the Dermveda article Vitamin D Supplements: What You Need to Know.