Cholecalciferol raises vitamin D levels more than ergocalciferol
What it found
In adults, supplements of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) raised blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D more than ergocalciferol (vitamin D2).
The difference was clear with large, infrequent doses but not with daily doses.
What they found
Studies in people
Overall vitamin D rise
Across the pooled trials, cholecalciferol produced a greater rise in blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D from the start than ergocalciferol. The authors say this difference was significant.
Large infrequent doses
When supplements were given as a single large dose or as weekly or monthly doses, cholecalciferol raised 25-hydroxyvitamin D more than ergocalciferol. This difference was significant.
Daily dosing
With daily supplements of 1000 to 4000 IU, cholecalciferol still looked better, but the difference was not significant. The authors say the effect was lost with daily supplementation.
How long it lasts
Two trials found that cholecalciferol raised 25-hydroxyvitamin D faster and kept levels higher for longer than ergocalciferol. After doses stopped, ergocalciferol levels fell back faster.
Some trials disagreed
Two of the ten trials found no difference between the two forms of vitamin D. The authors say this means not all influences on vitamin D metabolism have been accounted for.
Animal and lab studies
Lab explanations
Lab studies suggest the two forms are broken down differently in the body. Ergocalciferol may be deactivated more easily, while cholecalciferol stays active longer.
What the authors conclude
“This meta-analysis indicates that vitamin D3 is more efficacious at raising serum 25(OH)D concentrations than is vitamin D2, and thus vitamin D3) could potentially become the preferred choice for supplementation.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that cholecalciferol is more effective than ergocalciferol at raising blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels.
- They say cholecalciferol "could potentially become the preferred choice for supplementation".
- They call for larger, more robust trials that also explore the mechanism behind the difference and test lower doses.
How it was done
It was unclear whether vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 differ in how well they raise vitamin D status. The authors wanted to find out which form works better.
They pooled 7 randomized trials in adults that directly compared vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplements. The 10 studies they reviewed included 1016 adults aged 18 to 97, with treatment lasting from 28 days to 12 months.
What it can’t tell you
- The trials used doses far above the recommended daily amount, so the results may not apply to lower doses from diet or sunlight.
- The studies were small and had different designs, so the authors could not make firm public health recommendations.
- The review could not verify how age, sex, or ethnicity affect the difference between the two forms.
Who paid
- Funding
- Funded by Medical Research Council; Department of Health; Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (from the PubMed record).
- Authors work at
- University of Surrey, UK
The paper
- Title
- Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Type
- Systematic review and meta-analysisThe authors follow a set, published method to find every relevant study, then combine the numbers from them into one result.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Tripkovic L, Lambert H, Hart K, et al (2012). Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The American journal of clinical nutrition. doi:10.3945/ajcn.111.031070Free full textPubMed 22552031DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error