[Warning] Could Vitamin D Hurt You!?

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted June 27, 2022

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

Most people think vitamin D is, understandably, just one vitamin.  But many vitamins have different forms or types… and vitamin D is no exception.

Vitamin D is categorized in two types: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3.

And the difference between the two is crucial.

In fact, one helps your immune system… and the other HURTS it.

Today, I’m going to show you which vitamin D you should be taking, and which one you should avoid.

A new study, published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, looked at the two types of vitamin D to see how they affected our immune system.

Vitamin D comes in two forms: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D2 is found in vegetables and vitamin D3 is found in animal sources (eggs, butter, fish oil…). It has been known for a long time that vitamin D3 works better in our bodies. It takes much less vitamin D3 to increase vitamin D in your body.

Vitamin D2, though, is much easier (and cheaper) to make – that’s why you find vitamin D2 in fortified milk and cheap supplements.

This new double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared the effects of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplements in hundreds of healthy women.

The researchers looked at gene expression in particular and found that vitamin D2 reduced gene expression in many parts of the body, but especially those that power the immune system. The end result of vitamin D2 was a drop in the body’s ability to fight bacteria and viruses.

Vitamin D3 had the opposite effect: it increased gene expression in the immune system.

Strangely, the researchers found that giving vitamin D2 to people actually dropped their vitamin D levels– that includes in the placebo group, who took no vitamin D.

It’s clear from this study (and other studies) that if you find a supplement or food that uses vitamin D2, then you should throw it away. Your immune system is too fragile to have it messed up by taking this form of vitamin D.

Because vitamin D is one of the common deficiencies, I suggest taking some every day—just make sure it’s D3.

P.S. Before you go— make sure you know about these 6 conditions that can STEAL your vitamin D.

SOURCE:

Harridy, Rich. “One type of vitamin D found to boost immune system, another may hinder it.” 2/27/2022. https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/differences-between-vitamin-d2-d3-immune-system-supplements/

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More By Dr. Scott Olson, ND