What Is Vitamin D & What Foods Can I Find It In?

Vitamin D exists in two forms, vitamin D2, and vitamin D3. It is fat-soluble. It means that the body does not need it every day. We have the potential to store it in the body.

Despite its name, vitamin D is not a vitamin. It is a hormone that is synthesized by sunlight.

The body makes vitamin D when the skin is exposed directly to the sun. Vitamin D is vital for our overall health.

Vitamin D2 And Vitamin D3

Vitamin D exists in two forms. Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3. (source ◳)

There are a few differences between the two D vitamins.

Vitamin D2

Vitamin D2 is obtained from the UV irradiation of the yeast sterol ergosterol and is also found naturally in sun-exposed mushrooms.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is called the more natural form of vitamin D because the body can synthesize vitamin D3 from exposure when UVB light from the sun strikes the skin. (source ◳)

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency affects almost 50% of the population worldwide. It is a growing problem. (source ◳)

Current studies suggest that we may need more vitamin D than presently recommended to prevent chronic disease. (source ◳)

The benefits of getting enough vitamin D are vital for maintaining health. You can find all the benefits of vitamin D in Vitamin D (D2 + D3): 12 Research-Backed Benefits .

How To Get Vitamin D

The major source of vitamin D for children and adults is exposure to natural sunlight. (source ◳)

In foods, vitamin D3 is only found in animal-sourced foods, and vitamin D2 is found in plant sources and fortified foods. (source ◳)

To get sufficient vitamin D from natural food sources alone is difficult. It means that consumption of vitamin D-fortified foods and exposure to some sunlight are essential for maintaining a healthy vitamin D status. (source ◳)

If you are interested in a list of ranked foods where you can find this nutrient. Go to our nutrition tool and check out vitamin D.

Both vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 are synthesized commercially and found in dietary supplements or fortified foods. (source ◳)

Foods You Can Find Vitamin D (D2 + D3) In

You find Vitamin D (D2 + D3) mostly in fats and oils, seafood, and vegetable products.

Examples of food sources include

• Cod Liver Fish Oil
• Carp
• Eel
• Salmon
• Mushrooms
• Portabella Mushrooms
• Trout

Foods That Contain Vitamin D (D2 + D3) In Our Nutrition Tool

You can find regularly updated top ranked lists of foods for over 200+ nutrients in our nutrition tool.

If you are interested in what foods contain the most Vitamin D (D2 + D3) we recommend you visit our tool.

Here's our top ranked list of foods that contain Vitamin D (D2 + D3).