Ingredient intelligence · non-production preview

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

Also known as Vitamin D3, Cholecalciferol, D3

Not medically reviewed

vitamin formentity:ingredient:vitamin-d3-cholecalciferolCompare this ingredient View evidence

Identity structure

Parent and form relationships

Ingredients, supplement concepts, supplement-form projections, and commercial products remain separate records.

Parent supplement

Vitamin Dentity:supplement:vitamin-d

Related ingredient forms

Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol)vitamin form

Origin is not a quality score

Origin classification is not assigned for this pilot. MEDucated does not rank naturally occurring or manufactured ingredients as better or worse based on origin.

Evidence availability

Direct ingredient evidence boundaries

Supplement-level evidence is reused only when a frozen source block explicitly names this ingredient or form. Missing topics remain unavailable.

Identity and what it is

A frozen NIH ODS source explicitly identifies this ingredient or form. Source wording is preserved without creating a new conclusion.

Source-backed preview

Structural characterization

Evidence profile

No overall rating assigned

Evidence source: NIH ODS evidence synthesis
Linked references: 1 identified
Human evidence: Human evidence not identified in the frozen metadata
Randomized trials: Randomized trials not identified in the frozen metadata
Reviews and meta-analyses: Systematic review or meta-analysis identified
Evidence recency: 2018–2018
Source-described consistency: Not characterized in these source blocks
MEDucated evidence rating: Not assigned

Reference counts describe frozen source associations; a larger count does not establish stronger evidence.

Inspect technical evidence details

Evidence types identified

Systematic review1

Source-described limitations

No explicit limitation phrase was identified in these imported source blocks.

Classified references

Silva MC, Furlanetto TW. Intestinal absorption of vitamin D: A systematic review. Nutr Rev 2018;76:60-76. [PubMed abstract]
Systematic review · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed

Read imported source wording

In foods and dietary supplements, vitamin D has two main forms, D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol), that differ chemically only in their side-chain structures. Both forms are well absorbed in the small intestine. Absorption occurs by simple passive diffusion and by a mechanism that involves intestinal membrane carrier proteins [4]. The concurrent presence of fat in the gut enhances vitamin D absorption, but some vitamin D is absorbed even without dietary fat. Neither aging nor obesity alters vitamin D absorption from the gut [4].

Where did MEDucated get this?

Vitamin D

Publisher: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Revision: June 27, 2025
Source fingerprint: 825b1a553a4a177e2d87fc412b0b4b21daa72ca92f4334a0096bc0dfa7f70a3c
Source blocks: ingredient-block:vitamin-d3-cholecalciferol:ods-block:vitamin-d-health-professional:introduction:5

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Source attribution does not imply NIH or ODS endorsement of MEDucated.

Common uses

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Biological role

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

What evidence has studied

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Potential benefits studied

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Safety considerations

A frozen NIH ODS source explicitly identifies this ingredient or form. Source wording is preserved without creating a new conclusion.

Source-backed preview

Structural characterization

Evidence profile

No overall rating assigned

Evidence source: NIH ODS evidence synthesis
Linked references: 4 identified
Human evidence: Human evidence identified
Randomized trials: Randomized trials not identified in the frozen metadata
Reviews and meta-analyses: Systematic reviews or meta-analyses not identified in the frozen metadata
Evidence recency: 2007–2017
Source-described consistency: Not characterized in these source blocks
MEDucated evidence rating: Not assigned

Reference counts describe frozen source associations; a larger count does not establish stronger evidence.

Inspect technical evidence details

Evidence types identified

Government reference1
Case report2
Study type could not be determined1

Source-described limitations

No explicit limitation phrase was identified in these imported source blocks.

Classified references

Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2010.
Government reference · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Singh P, Trivedi N. Tanning beds and hypervitaminosis D: A case report. Ann Intern Med 2014;160:810-1. [PubMed abstract]
Case report · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Laurent MR, Gielen E, Pauwels S, Vanderschueren D, Bouillon R. Hypervitaminosis D associated with tanning bed use: A case report. Ann Intern Med 2017;166:155-6. [PubMed abstract]
Case report · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Perez-Castrillon JL, Vega G, Abad L, Sanz A, Chaves J, Hernandez G, Duenas A. Effects of atorvastatin on vitamin D levels in patients with acute ischemic heart disease. Am J Cardiol 2007;99:903-5. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessed

Experts do not believe that excessive sun exposure results in vitamin D toxicity because thermal activation of previtamin D3 in the skin gives rise to various non-vitamin D forms that limit formation of vitamin D3. Some vitamin D3 is also converted to nonactive forms [1]. However, frequent use of tanning beds, which provide artificial UV radiation, can lead to 25(OH)D levels well above 375 to 500 nmol/L (150–200 ng/mL) [161-163].

Where did MEDucated get this?

Vitamin D

Publisher: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Revision: June 27, 2025
Source fingerprint: 825b1a553a4a177e2d87fc412b0b4b21daa72ca92f4334a0096bc0dfa7f70a3c
Source blocks: ingredient-block:vitamin-d3-cholecalciferol:ods-block:vitamin-d-health-professional:health-risks-from-excessive-vitamin-d:4

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Source attribution does not imply NIH or ODS endorsement of MEDucated.

Side effects

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Medication interactions

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Supplement interactions

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Food interactions

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Forms and chemical variants

A frozen NIH ODS source explicitly identifies this ingredient or form. Source wording is preserved without creating a new conclusion.

Source-backed preview

Structural characterization

Evidence profile

No overall rating assigned

Evidence source: NIH ODS evidence synthesis
Linked references: 10 identified
Human evidence: Human evidence identified
Randomized trials: Randomized trial identified
Reviews and meta-analyses: Systematic review or meta-analysis identified
Evidence recency: 2007–2020
Source-described consistency: Not characterized in these source blocks
MEDucated evidence rating: Not assigned

Reference counts describe frozen source associations; a larger count does not establish stronger evidence.

Inspect technical evidence details

Evidence types identified

Systematic review1
Study type could not be determined6
Meta-analysis1
Randomized controlled trial2

Source-described limitations

No explicit limitation phrase was identified in these imported source blocks.

Classified references

Silva MC, Furlanetto TW. Intestinal absorption of vitamin D: A systematic review. Nutr Rev 2018;76:60-76. [PubMed abstract]
Systematic review · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med 2007;357:266-81. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Hirsch AL. Industrial Aspects of Vitamin D. In: Feldman D, Pike JW, Adams JS, eds. Vitamin D. 3rd ed. Academic Press; 2011:73-93.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
National Institutes of Health. Dietary Supplement Label Database. 2020.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Tripkovic L, Lambert H, Hart K, Smith CP, Bucca G, Penson S, et al. Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;95:1357-64. [PubMed abstract]
Meta-analysis · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Lehmann U, Hirche F, Stangl GI, Hinz K, Westphal S, Dierkes J. Bioavailability of vitamin D2 and D3 in healthy volunteers, a randomised placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Endocrin Metab 2013;98:4339-45. [PubMed abstract]
Randomized controlled trial · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessed
Logan VF, Gray AR, Peddie MC, Harper MJ, Houghton LA. Long-term vitamin D3 supplementation is more effective than vitamin D2 in maintaining serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status over the winter months. Br J Nutr 2013;109:1082-8. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Tripkovic L, Wilson LR, Hart K, Johnsen S, de Lusignan S, Smith CP, et al. Daily supplementation with 15 µg vitamin D2 compared with vitamin D3 to increase wintertime 25-hydroxyvitamin D status in healthy South Asian and white European women: A 12-wk randomized, placebo-controlled food-fortification trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2017;106:481-90. [PubMed abstract]
Randomized controlled trial · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessed
Graeff-Armas LA, Bendik I, Kunz I, Schoop R, Hull S, Beck M. Supplemental 25-hydroxycholecalciferol is more effective than cholecalciferol in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in older adults. J Nutr 2020;150:73-81. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessed
Quesada-Gomez JM, Bouillon R. Is calcifediol better than cholecalciferol for vitamin D supplementation? Osteoporos Int 2018;29:1697-1711. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed

Read imported source wording

Vitamin D is present in dietary supplements as either vitamin D2 or vitamin D3. Both can raise the serum level of 25(OH)D. However, research shows that vitamin D3 increases serum 25(OH)D levels to a greater extent than vitamin D2 and can maintain those higher levels for longer periods of time.

Dietary supplements can contain vitamins D2 or D3. Vitamin D2 is manufactured using UV irradiation of ergosterol in yeast, and vitamin D3 is typically produced with irradiation of 7-dehydrocholesterol from lanolin obtained from the wool of sheep [13,31]. An animal-free version of vitamin D3 sourced from lichen is also available [32]. People who avoid all animal-sourced products can contact dietary supplement manufacturers to ask about their sourcing and processing techniques.

Both vitamins D2 and D3 raise serum 25(OH)D levels, and they seem to have equivalent ability to cure rickets [4]. In addition, most steps in the metabolism and actions of vitamins D2 and D3 are identical. However, most evidence indicates that vitamin D3 increases serum 25(OH)D levels to a greater extent and maintains these higher levels longer than vitamin D2, even though both forms are well absorbed in the gut [33-36].

Some studies have used dietary supplements containing the 25(OH)D3 form of vitamin D. Per equivalent microgram dose, 25(OH)D3 is three to five times as potent as vitamin D3 [37,38]. However, no 25(OH)D3 dietary supplements appear to be available to consumers on the U.S. market at this time [32].

Where did MEDucated get this?

Vitamin D

Publisher: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Revision: June 27, 2025
Source fingerprint: 825b1a553a4a177e2d87fc412b0b4b21daa72ca92f4334a0096bc0dfa7f70a3c
Source blocks: ingredient-block:vitamin-d3-cholecalciferol:ods-block:vitamin-d-health-professional:dietary-supplements:1, ingredient-block:vitamin-d3-cholecalciferol:ods-block:vitamin-d-health-professional:dietary-supplements:2, ingredient-block:vitamin-d3-cholecalciferol:ods-block:vitamin-d-health-professional:dietary-supplements:3, ingredient-block:vitamin-d3-cholecalciferol:ods-block:vitamin-d-health-professional:dietary-supplements:4

Inspect the official source

Source attribution does not imply NIH or ODS endorsement of MEDucated.

Intake and dose reference information

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Populations needing caution

A frozen NIH ODS source explicitly identifies this ingredient or form. Source wording is preserved without creating a new conclusion.

Source-backed preview

Structural characterization

Evidence profile

No overall rating assigned

Evidence source: NIH ODS evidence synthesis
Linked references: 4 identified
Human evidence: Human evidence identified
Randomized trials: Randomized trials not identified in the frozen metadata
Reviews and meta-analyses: Systematic reviews or meta-analyses not identified in the frozen metadata
Evidence recency: 2001–2012
Source-described consistency: Not characterized in these source blocks
MEDucated evidence rating: Not assigned

Reference counts describe frozen source associations; a larger count does not establish stronger evidence.

Inspect technical evidence details

Evidence types identified

Government reference1
Study type could not be determined3

Source-described limitations

No explicit limitation phrase was identified in these imported source blocks.

Classified references

Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2010.
Government reference · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Picciano MF. Nutrient composition of human milk. Pediatr Clin North Am 2001;48:53-67. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessed
Wagner CL, Greer FR, American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Breastfeeding, American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition. Prevention of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatrics 2008;122:1142-52. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessed
Dawodu A, Tsang RC. Maternal vitamin D status: Effect on milk vitamin D content and vitamin D status of breastfeeding infants. Adv Nutr 2012;3:353-61. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: human · Directness: not assessed

Read imported source wording

Consumption of human milk alone does not ordinarily enable infants to meet vitamin D requirements, because it provides less than 0.6 to 2.0 mcg/L (25 to 78 IU/L) [1,56,57]. The vitamin D content of human milk is related to the mother’s vitamin D status; studies suggest that the breastmilk of mothers who take daily supplements containing at least 50 mcg (2,000 IU) vitamin D3 have higher levels of the nutrient [57,58].

Where did MEDucated get this?

Vitamin D

Publisher: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Revision: June 27, 2025
Source fingerprint: 825b1a553a4a177e2d87fc412b0b4b21daa72ca92f4334a0096bc0dfa7f70a3c
Source blocks: ingredient-block:vitamin-d3-cholecalciferol:ods-block:vitamin-d-health-professional:groups-at-risk-of-vitamin-d-inadequacy:3

Inspect the official source

Source attribution does not imply NIH or ODS endorsement of MEDucated.

Pregnancy and lactation

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Laboratory and test considerations

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Evidence unavailable

Regulatory status

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Evidence limitations

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Architecture readiness

Connected without overreaching

This identity can participate in future interaction and product-label models without creating an interaction conclusion or product score.

Interaction target ready

Canonical resolution

Exact names and registered aliases can resolve to entity:ingredient:vitamin-d3-cholecalciferol. Uncertain terms remain unresolved.

Product-label ready

Identity mapping only

Future labels can preserve literal wording, quantity, unit, serving basis, order, and source provenance separately from this identity.