This disease-fighting D works 40 percent better

You probably already know that getting enough vitamin D is essential for fighting disease. It can improve your heart health, ward off cancer, keep your bones strong, balance your blood sugar and more.

But here’s the thing….

Not all vitamin D is created equal. If you get your vitamin D from a supplement, you have the option to choose between vitamin D-2 and vitamin D-3. And you better be sure you choose the right kind, because one doesn’t work nearly as well.

So which one should you choose if you want vitamin D’s disease-fighting benefits — which include slowing aging and avoiding cancer?

Well, if you’ve been reading Easy Health Options for a while now, you may know the answer — vitamin D3.

But the fact is, a lot of people are still confused about the difference between D-2 and D-3. And more importantly, they don’t know that D-2’s not as effective. That’s because national health organizations like the National Institutes of Health are still saying that both forms of vitamin D work just as well. But they don’t. And the latest research proves it…

D-3 demolishes D-2

A study from researchers at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom found that women absorb vitamin D-3 supplements significantly better — like over 40 percent better — than D-2 supplements.

The study included 335 women. Some received a D-2 or D-3 infused biscuit, while others received D-2 or D-3 infused juice. And, of course, one group received a placebo.

The women who received D-3 in a biscuit or juice raised their vitamin D levels by 74 and 75 percent, respectively. The women who received D-2 in a biscuit or juice, on the other hand, only raised their vitamin D levels by 33 to 34 percent. That means D-3 was nearly twice as effective at raising vitamin D levels. So there should be no doubt in your mind… D-3 is your disease-fighting D of choice.

And just to underscore the importance of getting enough vitamin D (from a supplement or otherwise), I’ll share one more finding from the study…

Women who received a placebo saw their vitamin D levels drop by a whopping 25 percent! Those D-levels drop quickly when you’re not making a concerted effort to keep them up…

D-3 vs. D-2: What’s the difference?

Now, just to clarify, the major difference between the two forms of D is that D-2 comes from plant sources (like mushrooms) and D-3 comes from animal sources (like dairy, eggs and meat). D-3 is also the kind of vitamin D your body makes when you’re out in the sun.

For some reason, D-3 is just easier for your body to absorb and use, and this isn’t the only study that proves it…

Other studies have shown that D-3 decreases your risk of death from all causes far better than D-2, and that D-3 helps you maintain vitamin D levels better in the winter when there’s not a lot of sunlight.

Once you make sure you’re getting the right kind of vitamin D, you can also make sure you’re getting the right dosage. Your first step would be to have your vitamin D levels checked. You can do that with your doctor or through an at-home test. If you’re levels are low (below 35ng/ml), you can start taking 1,000 IU of D-3 per day.