In a study to assess whether vitamin D influenced mortality in adults, researchers looked at 50 randomized trials that included 94,148 subjects who were administered Vitamin D for an average of two years. The researchers studied both natural vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and synthetic vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol).
The scientists found that only natural vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) significantly decreased mortality by 6 percent. Vitamin D2 did not decrease mortality. The conclusion, published in the Cochrane Database System Reviews on July 6, 2011, stated, “Vitamin D in the form of vitamin D(3) seems to decrease mortality . . . Vitamin D2 . . . had no statistically significant effect on mortality.”
Interestingly, even though the synthetic form, vitamin D2, does not provide the positive effects that natural vitamin D3 provides, most doctors don’t even know there is a difference between them. But the difference is big.
It is best to avoid any supplement containing synthetic vitamin D2. If you are going to supplement with vitamin D, make sure that it is in the form of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Average doses to use during the winter time range from winter time range from 2,000 to 6,000 IU per day.
If you supplement with vitamin D3, it is also important to periodically check your levels.
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