Have you ever been confused between choosing Vitamin D3 or Vitamin D2?
Why do you need vitamin D?
The deficiency is widespread and a cause for alarm for the general population. A level below 30 ng/ml (seen in a blood test as 25-OH Vitamin D) indicates insufficient levels and calls for medical intervention.
The typical dosage prescribed by doctors is to take 60,000 IU per week, for 6 to 16 weeks depending on the individual’s current 25-OH Vitamin D levels. The 60,000 IU-prescribed medicine is derived from Vitamin D3, not Vitamin D2. Therefore, there is a dire need for doses of Vitamin D3 to “correct and boost” the baseline levels and bring them to the sufficient range of 30 – 100 ng/ml.
However, to sustain the Vitamin D levels, the daily dose as prescribed by FSSAI is 600 IU and can be taken in the form of daily health supplements. This 600 IU represents 1 RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance). Historically, the majority of the health supplements in the Indian market have been using Vitamin D2 as compared to rarely used Vitamin D3. This is because the supplements are under the Food category (FSSAI), requiring vegetarian/non-vegetarian declaration on packaging (Green dot / Red triangle). Given the predominant choice for vegetarian and vegan products (plant-based) in the Indian context, the fortification of foods and supplements is sourced with Vitamin D2. Though the efficacy of Vitamin D2 is recognized to be lower than Vitamin D3, the choice is predominantly driven by the need for vegetarian products. This is not the case for products under pharma and drug companies, because they do not require a declaration of vegetarian and non-vegetarian identification. So, the higher strength of around 60,000 IU is taken from Vitamin D3, an animal source called Lanolin(Sheep wool).
Avlaan is a pioneer in the Indian market, providing a plant-based Vitamin D3 ingredient suitable for Vegans and vegetarians. Several companies in India are choosing plant-based Vitamin D3 to fortify their food products and health supplements, in line with the growing trend for plant-based and clean-label products.
Avlaan can help you sustain your Vitamin D levels by choosing the same type of vitamin that is used in pharma and drug companies and in health supplements too.
Remember, choosing the right Vitamin D supplement is now effortless!
