As a fat soluble vitamin, vitamin D plays an important role in the health of our immune system and the absorption of calcium. Vitamin D is naturally created when our skin is exposed to sunlight or we can get it in supplement form or from fortified foods such as in milk and orange juice. But, what is vitamin D3 and how is it different from vitamin D?
What is Vitamin D3?
Vitamin D3 is the vitamin D that is produced naturally when sunlight hits our skin. It can also be found in animal products such as egg yolks, fish oil, liver, fatty fish and some plant sources such as Shiitake Mushrooms. Vitamin D2 comes from plant sources like wild mushrooms. Coming from plant sources vitamin D2 or more commonly known as just vitamin D, is usually cheaper to produce and what is generally found in over the counter supplements.
When your liver processes vitamin D2 or D3 for the body to use, it converts it into 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, collectively known as 25D or calcifediol. Calcifediol is the working form of vitamin D in the body and what helps the body to utilize calcium and fortifies the immune system.
Which Vitamin D is More Effective?
Since both vitamin D2 and D3 are transformed by the liver into calcifediol, wouldn’t it make sense to assume that both forms of vitamin D are just as effective?
While both vitamin D2 and D3 convert to the same functional form of vitamin D, calcifediol, a study by the National Institutes of Health found that vitamin D3 produces about two-times the amount of calcifediol in the human body compared to vitamin D2. So, while both vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 perform the same function, vitamin D3 is produced into its functional form, calcifediol, more effectively than vitamin D2.
Organically Africa’s Superfruit Bites with Vitamin D3
Our delicious Superfruit Bites are produced with Baobab superfruit. On its own, Baobab is a nutrient dense fruit powder high in vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and prebiotic dietary fiber. As the primary functional natural ingredient in our Superfruit Bites, it makes these tasty fruit bites more nutritious than most dried fruits or fruit gummies.
To take our Superfruit Bites to the next level, we have produced a line of bites with added fortifications; multi-vitamins, immunity support, additional fiber, and of course, vitamin D3. These fortified Superfruit Bites can be taken as a single dose nutritional supplement, or incorporated into food and snack products such as baked goods, trail mixes, and frozen treats. As an ingredient, our fortified Superfruit Bites will bring added nutritional value to your food product.
To learn more about our amazing Superfruit Bites contact us and let us help you discover all the possibilities these delicious bites can provide.