Supplements Vitamins & Minerals The Health Benefits of Vitamin D3 A type of vitamin D sourced from animal-based foods and sunlight By Yvelette Stines Yvelette Stines LinkedIn Yvelette Stines, MS, MEd, is an author, writer, and communications specialist specializing in health and wellness. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 01, 2023 Medically reviewed by Suzanne Fisher, MS, RD, LDN Medically reviewed by Suzanne Fisher, MS, RD, LDN Suzanne Fisher, RD, LDN, is a board-certified registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist. She is the founder of Fisher Nutrition Systems, a meal and fitness planning software company, and is based in Florida. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Fact checked by Nick Blackmer LinkedIn Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years’ experience in consumer-oriented health and wellness content. Learn about our editorial process Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Why You Need It Are You Deficient? D3 vs. D2 Other Benefits Sources Possible Risks Frequently Asked Questions Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) has a few health benefits, including helping the body absorb calcium. Foods such as fish, beef liver, eggs, and cheese naturally contain vitamin D3. It can also be produced in the skin following exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Supplement forms of vitamin D3 are also available and may be used for general health, as well as the treatment or prevention of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D3 is one of two types of vitamin D. It differs from vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) in both its structure and sources. The article explains what vitamin D supplements do and the benefits/drawbacks of vitamin D3 specifically. It also lists other important sources of vitamin D3. Olga Shumitskaya / Getty Images Why You Need Vitamin D Vitamin D, also referred to as calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin (meaning one that is broken down by fat and oils in the gut). It is commonly referred to as the "sunshine vitamin" because the D3 type can be naturally produced in the body following exposure to the sun. Vitamin D has many functions in the body, chief of which include: Bone growth Bone remodeling Regulation of muscle contractions Conversion of blood glucose (sugar) into energy Not getting enough vitamin D can lead to an array of health concerns, including: Delayed growth in kids Rickets in kikds Osteomalacia (loss of bone minerals) in adults and adolescents Osteoporosis (porous, thinning bones) in adults How Much Vitamin D Do I Need? Current guidelines from the National Institutes of Health recommend that people ages 1 to 70 years should get 600 international units (IUs) of vitamin D per day from all sources. Adults over 70 need 800 IUsdaily. Vitamin D vs. D3: What’s the Difference? How Do I Know If I Need More Vitamin D? If you do not obtain enough vitamin D to meet the body's needs you are considered to have a vitamin D deficiency. This can be diagnosed through blood testing. However, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend routine vitamin D screening in adults without symptoms of deficiency. Not everyone who is low in vitamin D experiences symptoms. Those who do may notice: Muscle and/or bone painMuscle weaknessHistory of fracturesMuscle twitching If you suspect you could be vitamin D deficient, ask your healthcare provider to test your blood levels. Causes for vitamin D deficiency are many, including diseases or conditions that limit fat absorption and the breakdown of vitamin D in the gut. As such, you are at greater risk for vitamin D deficiency if you have: Celiac disease Crohn’s disease Cystic fibrosis Gastric bypass surgery Liver disease Malnutrition Obesity Ulcerative colitis People who are older, are housebound, or have dark skin are also more vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency affects almost 50% of the population worldwide. Both vitamin D2 and D3 can be used to treat this, with vitamin D3 generally being the preferred choice. Vitamin D3 vs. Vitamin D2 Vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 are chemically similar and are both well-absorbed in the gut. Where they differ significantly is in their sources: Vitamin D2 is naturally found in mushrooms, including shiitake, Portobello, and crimini mushrooms. The vitamin D content increases when these mushrooms are exposed to UV radiation.Vitamin D3 is naturally found in animals and animal-derived products like milk. It is also directly synthesized in the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Aside from the fact that vitamin D3 is likely easier to consume in your day-to-day diet, unless you are a vegetarian or vegan, vitamin D3 has proven superior to vitamin D2 in two other important ways: Vitamin D3 has better bioavailability, meaning more of the vitamin enters the bloodstream and can be used by the bodyVitamin D3 has a better half-life, meaning it stays in circulation for longer Some studies suggest that vitamin D3 raises the vitamin D level in the bloodstream 87% more than vitamin D2. On the downside, vitamin D3 in supplements has historically been synthesized using lanolin derived from sheep's wool. This makes it unsuitable for those who choose to avoid animal-based products. With that said, some manufacturers have been able to synthesize vitamin D3 from algae and lichen. Vitamin D3 For Those Without Deficiency Beyond its use in treating vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D3 may offer health benefits to certain people without such deficiency—in particular, those with high blood pressure or osteoporosis. Hypertension Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, is cardiovascular disease commonly seen in people with vitamin D deficiency. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D3 may help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension and vitamin D deficiency as well as certain groups of people with hypertension only. According to a 2019 review of studies in the journal Medicine involving 1,687 people, vitamin D3 was able to significantly reduce systolic ("top number") blood pressure in people over the age of 50 and those with obesity. This is important because isolated systolic hypertension can increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease over time. Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a frequent consequence of long-term vitamin D deficiency, so common wisdom would suggest that vitamin D supplements may help prevent or slow the progression of this common, aging-related bone disease. There is some evidence to support this claim. A 2013 study from the University of Western Australia found that the use of vitamin D3 in nursing home residents aged 70 and over significantly reduced the incidence of hip fractures. In addition, low-dose vitamin D3 (400 IU) also increased bone mass density in the femoral (thigh) bone. Unproven Benefits Despite claims to the contrary, there is no evidence that vitamin D3 supplements can reduce the risk of cancer, coronary heart disease, or stroke. With that said, the supplements pose little, if any, harm if taken at the prescribed dose. What Is Vitamin D Deficiency? Sources of Vitamin D3 Whether you are nutritionally deficient or simply want to meet your recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin D, you can obtain ample supplies of vitamin D3 from animal-based foods, dietary supplements, and sun exposure. Dietary Sources Food should always be the first source of vitamin D. Here are some of the best dietary sources of vitamin D3 to bolster your intake: Food IU Serving size % RDA Beef liver 42 3 ounce 5% Butter 9 1 tablespoon 1% Cereal 80 1-1/2 ounce 10% Cheese 12 1 ounce 2% Cod liver oil 1,360 1 tablespoon 170% Egg yolks 44 1 yolk 6% Fresh salmon 570 3 ounce 71% Halibut 384 1/2 fillet 48% Mackerel 360 1/2 fillet 45% Milk, fortified 120 1 cup 15% Sardines 46 2 fish 6% Trout 645 3 ounce 81% Tuna 40 3 ounce 5% Some manufacturers of fruit juices, dairy products, margarine, and plant-based milk add vitamin D3 to boost their product's nutritional value, as well. Supplements As convenient as they are, supplements should never be your primary source of vitamin D (or any nutrient, for that matter). They are really only intended for when you are not getting enough from your diet. Vitamin D3 is readily available in supplement form and sold as capsules, softgels, gummies, and liquid drops. Most are formulated in doses higher than you need per day—between 2,000 and 10,000 IUs—but this is not a concern as only a portion will be absorbed. The rest will be passed in urine. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best dose for you based on your age and medical history. Sun Exposure Vitamin D3 is unique in that (unlike vitamin D2) you can get it from the sun. When exposed to UVB light, an organic compound in the skin called 7-dehydrocholesterol will activate and start churning out vitamin D3. The rate of production can vary by your age and skin tone, with older people and those with darker skin getting the least benefit. Sunscreen can also decrease production by blocking both UV rays. Getting a little sunlight every day can help you maintain your vitamin D levels, but it’s not the safest or most reliable way to get it given the risk of skin cancer. Possible Risks Vitamin D3 is generally regarded as safe, but it can on rare occasions cause toxic effects if you take too much. This is referred to as hypervitaminosis D. With vitamin D toxicity, the balance of minerals like calcium and potassium is upset. This can lead to a condition known as hypercalcemia, in which too much calcium builds up in the body. This can lead to symptoms like: Stomach upset Nausea Vomiting Constipation Bone pain Muscle weakness An increased risk of bone fractures Vitamin D toxicity was common in the 1940s when daily doses of 200,000 to 300,000 IUs per day were commonly recommended to treat chronic illnesses like tuberculosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Today, vitamin D toxicity is considered a rare occurrence. Recent studies have shown that vitamin D3 doses of 20,000 IUs per day are tolerable in adults with no signs of toxicity. Summary Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium and phosphate from food. It is important for bone and muscle strength and immune function, and it may have other benefits such as helping prevent inflammatory disease. There are two types; vitamin D3 is more efficient in terms of how it can be used in the body than vitamin D2. You can get vitamin D from food or supplements, and your body can make D3 when exposed to sunshine. Frequently Asked Questions When should I take vitamin D3? Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble vitamin. This means that taking it with fat helps it absorb better. It doesn’t matter what time of day you take it, but you should eat fat-containing food when you do. Learn More: What Is a Fat Soluble Vitamin? How can I check my vitamin D levels at home? There are some at-home tests that can measure the amount of vitamin D in your blood. All you need to do is place a drop of blood on a test strip and mail it to the test's manufacturer or designated lab for processing. Learn More: What to Know About Vitamin D Home Tests Does vitamin D3 give you energy? A lack of vitamin D can cause you to feel lethargic. Supplementing with D3 could, over time, help you feel more energetic, but only if you have a deficiency. Learn More: Vitamin D Deficiency and Headaches Who should not take vitamin D3? People with hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease, or hypercalcemia (high blood calcium) should typically avoid vitamin D3 supplements. Certain medications can also interact with vitamin D. Speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting any supplement. 11 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin D: fact sheet for health professionals. US Preventive Services Task Force, et al. Screening for vitamin D deficiency in adults: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2021;325(14):1436-1442. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.3069 Yale Medicine. Vitamin D Deficiency. Nair R, Maseeh A. Vitamin D: the “sunshine” vitamin. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2012 Apr-Jun;3(2):118–26. doi:10.4103/0976-500X.95506 Tripkovic L, Lambert H, Hart K, et al. Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Jun;95(6):1357–64. doi:10.3945/ajcn.111.031070 MedlinePlus. Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). He S, Hao X. The effect of vitamin D3 on blood pressure in people with vitamin D deficiency: a system review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 May;98(19):e15284. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000015284 Geddes JAA, Inderjeeth CA. Evidence for the treatment of osteoporosis with vitamin D in residential care and in the community dwelling elderly. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:463589. doi:10.1155/2013/463589 Danik JS, Manson JE. Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease. Curr Treat Options Cardiovasc Med. 2012 Aug;14(4):414–24. doi:10.1007/s11936-012-0183-8 Marcinowska-Suchowierska E, Kupisz-Urbańska M, Łukaszkiewicz J, Płudowsk P, Jones G. Vitamin D toxicity–a clinical perspective. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2018;9:550. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00550 Nowak A, Boesch L, Andres E, et al. Effect of vitamin D3 on self-perceived fatigue: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(52):e5353. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000005353 Additional Reading National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin D fact sheet for consumers. By Yvelette Stines Yvelette Stines, MS, MEd, is an author, writer, and communications specialist specializing in health and wellness. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies