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Rachel V Thomas

Vitamin D3 Outperforms D2 In Maintaining Muscle, Heart Function, Shows ICMR Study

Vitamin D3 Shows Stronger Muscle And Heart Effects Than D2 In Rats: ICMR-NIN Study

<span>Vitamin D</span>, better known as the sunshine vitamin, is not only important for bone health but also plays a role in maintaining muscle and cardiovascular function.

An animal study led by researchers at the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), Hyderabad, found that <span>Vitamin D3</span> was more effective than <span>Vitamin D2</span> in maintaining and restoring skeletal muscle and heart function in male rats.

<h2>Vitamin D2 Vs Vitamin D3: What’s The Difference?</h2>

Vitamin D occurs naturally in two forms: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). Vitamin D3 is produced in the skin following exposure to sunlight and is also obtained from animal-based foods such as eggs, fish and organ meats, as well as supplements.

Vitamin D2 is derived from wild, cultivated or sun-dried mushrooms, UV-B-irradiated yeast, plant-based sources and some dietary supplements.

Amid increasing vitamin D deficiency, both forms are used for food fortification. However, D2 is preferred in some countries because of widespread vegetarianism and among people following strict vegan diets.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/india-gets-its-first-plant-based-vitamin-d3-what-you-need-to-know-article-154993923" data-type="tilCustomLink">India Gets Its First Plant-Based Vitamin D3: What You Need to Know</a>

Researchers compared the effects of Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 on skeletal muscle and cardiac parameters in rats during both maintenance and recovery from vitamin D deficiency.

The study used weaning male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were given diets containing Vitamin D2, Vitamin D3, a combination of both forms, or a vitamin D-deficient diet.

Researchers assessed several parameters, including body composition, muscle strength, skeletal muscle structure and metabolism, along with markers associated with cardiac function.

<h2>Vitamin D3 Showed Greater Benefits</h2>

The study found that Vitamin D3 produced greater improvements in muscle mass, muscle fibre size and grip strength compared with Vitamin D2.

Vitamin D3 also showed stronger effects on markers associated with muscle development and energy metabolism.

Similar differences were observed in cardiac parameters, with Vitamin D3 showing greater effects on markers related to cardiac contractility and metabolism.

The differences between the two forms were particularly pronounced during the recovery phase following vitamin D deficiency, according to the researchers.

Dr Ayesha Ismail, Scientist F at ICMR-NIN and corresponding author of the study, said both forms were effective in improving calcium-related parameters, but Vitamin D2 was less effective on several measures linked to muscle and heart structure and energy metabolism.

“Although both forms of vitamin D were effective in improving calcium-related parameters, vitamin D2 was less effective than vitamin D3 in several parameters related to muscle and heart structure and energy metabolism,” Ismail said, ANI news agency reported.

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/sweetener-in-sugar-free-gum-linked-to-57-higher-heart-attack-and-stroke-risk-what-is-xylitol-article-156012495" data-type="tilCustomLink">Sweetener In Sugar-Free Gum Linked To 57% Higher Heart Attack And Stroke Risk: What Is Xylitol?</a>

<h2>Can The Findings Be Applied To Humans?</h2>

Dr Bharati Kulkarni, Director, ICMR-NIN, stressed that further research would be required before drawing conclusions about the effects of the two forms of vitamin D in humans.

“Further studies are needed to establish the effects of the two forms of vitamin D on skeletal and extra-skeletal functions and their implications for supplementation and fortification programs,” she told ANI.

The findings suggest that Vitamin D3 may have stronger effects than Vitamin D2 on skeletal muscle and cardiac function. However, the study was conducted in male rats, and whether the same effects occur in humans remains to be established.

The researchers said the study provides additional evidence of differences between Vitamin D2 and D3 beyond their established roles in calcium regulation and bone health.

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Vitamin D, better known as the sunshine vitamin, is not only important for bone health but also plays a role in maintaining muscle and cardiovascular function.An animal study led by researchers at the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), Hyderabad, found that Vitamin D3 was more effective than Vitamin D2 in maintaining and restoring skeletal muscle and heart function in male rats.Vitamin D2 Vs Vitamin D3: What’s The Difference?Vitamin D occurs naturally in two forms: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). Vitamin D3 is produced in the skin following exposure to sunlight and is also obtained from animal-based foods such as eggs, fish and organ meats, as well as supplements.Vitamin D2 is derived from wild, cultivated or sun-dried mushrooms, UV-B-irradiated yeast, plant-based sources and some dietary supplements.Amid increasing vitamin D deficiency, both forms are used for food fortification. However, D2 is preferred in some countries because of widespread vegetarianism and among people following strict vegan diets.Also read: India Gets Its First Plant-Based Vitamin D3: What You Need to KnowHow Was The Study Conducted?Researchers compared the effects of Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 on skeletal muscle and cardiac parameters in rats during both maintenance and recovery from vitamin D deficiency.The study used weaning male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were given diets containing Vitamin D2, Vitamin D3, a combination of both forms, or a vitamin D-deficient diet.Researchers assessed several parameters, including body composition, muscle strength, skeletal muscle structure and metabolism, along with markers associated with cardiac function.Vitamin D3 Showed Greater Benefits    The study found that Vitamin D3 produced greater improvements in muscle mass, muscle fibre size and grip strength compared with Vitamin D2.Vitamin D3 also showed stronger effects on markers associated with muscle development and energy metabolism.Similar differences were observed in cardiac parameters, with Vitamin D3 showing greater effects on markers related to cardiac contractility and metabolism.The differences between the two forms were particularly pronounced during the recovery phase following vitamin D deficiency, according to the researchers.Dr Ayesha Ismail, Scientist F at ICMR-NIN and corresponding author of the study, said both forms were effective in improving calcium-related parameters, but Vitamin D2 was less effective on several measures linked to muscle and heart structure and energy metabolism.“Although both forms of vitamin D were effective in improving calcium-related parameters, vitamin D2 was less effective than vitamin D3 in several parameters related to muscle and heart structure and energy metabolism,” Ismail said, ANI news agency reported. Read More: Sweetener In Sugar-Free Gum Linked To 57% Higher Heart Attack And Stroke Risk: What Is Xylitol?Can The Findings Be Applied To Humans?Dr Bharati Kulkarni, Director, ICMR-NIN, stressed that further research would be required before drawing conclusions about the effects of the two forms of vitamin D in humans.“Further studies are needed to establish the effects of the two forms of vitamin D on skeletal and extra-skeletal functions and their implications for supplementation and fortification programs,” she told ANI.The findings suggest that Vitamin D3 may have stronger effects than Vitamin D2 on skeletal muscle and cardiac function. However, the study was conducted in male rats, and whether the same effects occur in humans remains to be established.The researchers said the study provides additional evidence of differences between Vitamin D2 and D3 beyond their established roles in calcium regulation and bone health.

vitamin d3 shows stronger muscle and heart effects than d2 in rats: icmr-nin study

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