Another key difference between the two forms of vitamin D is their source. “Vitamin D2 is usually produced by plants when exposed to sunlight,” Dr. Jiang says. Meanwhile, vitamin D3 is found in animal ...

Vitamin D2 and D3, however, are not different nutrients. “They are essentially the same compound,” says Haggans, with only a slight chemical difference in their side chain structure.

Learn the key benefits and differences between vitamin D2 and D3, where each comes from, and how much to get per day, according to experts.

Vitamin D2 vs Vitamin D3 Vitamin D is found in two different forms; ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), each of which differs slightly in terms of chemical structure.

The vitamin D family actually includes five molecules, with the two most important being vitamin D2 and D3. Here's what you need to know about fine-tuning your diet to get the most.

Vitamin D exists in two forms, vitamin D2 and vitamin D3, which differ in the structure of their side chains.

Vitamin D2 is plant-based, while vitamin D3 comes from animal products and sunlight. Depending on your needs, one may be more effective than the other.

Vitamin D is more than just one vitamin. It’s a family of nutrients that shares similarities in chemical structure. In your diet, the most commonly found members are vitamin D2 and D3.