What is colecalciferol sourced from?

Most people know that humans produce colecalciferol, or vitamin D3, naturally from sun exposure, but what about its other sources? Colecalciferol is actually sourced from several places, including animal products like lanolin from sheep's wool, fatty fish, and some fortified foods, with newer vegan options derived from lichen.

Quick Summary

This guide details the diverse origins of colecalciferol (Vitamin D3), covering synthesis via sunlight, animal-derived sources such as lanolin and fish, and plant-based alternatives like lichen and UV-treated mushrooms.

Key Points

• Sunlight Synthesis: The human body naturally produces colecalciferol (vitamin D3) when skin is exposed to UVB radiation from the sun, converting 7-dehydrocholesterol into the vital nutrient.

• Lanolin from Sheep's Wool: Most commercial colecalciferol supplements are sourced industrially from lanolin, a waxy substance extracted from sheep's wool after shearing.

• Lichen-Derived Vegan Alternative: Vegan-friendly colecalciferol is now available, sourced from lichen, a unique plant species that naturally produces vitamin D3.

• Animal Dietary Sources: Natural dietary sources of colecalciferol include fatty fish (e.g., salmon), cod liver oil, egg yolks, and beef liver.

• Fortified Foods: Many foods, such as milk, cereals, and orange juice, are fortified with vitamin D (D2 or D3) to boost public intake.

• Effectiveness Comparison: Studies show that colecalciferol (D3) is generally more effective at raising and maintaining vitamin D blood levels than ergocalciferol (D2), which comes from plants and fungi.

The Primary Natural Source: Sunlight Synthesis

For most mammals, including humans, the primary natural source of colecalciferol (vitamin D3) is endogenous synthesis in the skin. When skin is exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight, it converts a precursor molecule called 7-dehydrocholesterol into previtamin D3, which then thermally isomerizes into colecalciferol. This process is why vitamin D is famously known as the "sunshine vitamin". The amount of vitamin D3 produced depends on several factors, including:

• Latitude and season: UVB intensity is much lower during winter months and at higher latitudes.
• Skin pigmentation: Melanin acts as a natural sunscreen, so individuals with darker skin produce less vitamin D3 for a given amount of sun exposure.
• Age: The skin's capacity for synthesizing vitamin D3 declines with age.
• Use of sunscreen: SPF products block UVB rays, preventing vitamin D synthesis.

While sunlight is a potent source, a modern, indoor lifestyle means many people cannot meet their vitamin D needs this way, leading to a reliance on dietary intake and supplements.

Animal-Derived Sources of Colecalciferol

For decades, animal-derived sources have been the standard for obtaining colecalciferol, especially for dietary supplements and food fortification. The most common animal-based source is lanolin, which is a waxy substance found in sheep's wool.

Industrial Extraction from Lanolin

The process of creating colecalciferol from lanolin is a multi-step industrial procedure:

1. Sheep's wool is collected during shearing.
2. The wool is washed, and lanolin is extracted from the wool grease.
3. Purified lanolin is treated to produce 7-dehydrocholesterol.
4. The 7-dehydrocholesterol is then irradiated with UV light, converting it into colecalciferol. This process is highly efficient and is the basis for most non-vegan vitamin D3 supplements on the market today.

Dietary Animal Sources

In addition to supplements, colecalciferol is naturally present in certain animal-based foods, though typically in limited quantities. These sources include:

• Fatty fish: Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna are excellent sources of naturally occurring colecalciferol. Wild-caught salmon, in particular, has very high levels.
• Fish liver oils: Cod liver oil is a well-known, potent source of vitamin D3.
• Egg yolks: The vitamin D3 content can vary depending on the hen's diet and sun exposure.
• Beef liver: Contains small but notable amounts of colecalciferol.
• Fortified dairy products: Many cow's milk and dairy items are fortified with D3 to increase dietary intake.

Vegan and Plant-Based Sources

For those following a vegan or vegetarian diet, traditional animal-based vitamin D3 sources are not an option. Fortunately, advances have made plant-based colecalciferol available.

Lichen-Derived Colecalciferol

One of the most significant breakthroughs for vegan supplementation is the discovery of lichen as a source of vitamin D3. Lichen is a symbiotic organism made up of a fungus and algae, and certain species naturally produce colecalciferol. This offers a direct, plant-based source of the more bioavailable D3 form, rather than the less effective D2 (ergocalciferol) found in other plant materials.

UV-Treated Mushrooms

While most mushrooms naturally contain vitamin D2, certain types, particularly UV-treated varieties, can be a source of D3 or increase their D2 content. Some modern production methods expose mushrooms to controlled UV light to significantly boost their vitamin D content, though this typically yields vitamin D2 rather than D3, but some claim to find D3 in microalgae.

Comparison of Colecalciferol Sources

Feature	Lanolin (Animal) Source	Lichen (Vegan) Source	Fatty Fish	Sunlight Exposure
Availability	Widely used in supplements and fortified foods	Growing availability in vegan supplements	Excellent natural dietary source	Variable based on geography and lifestyle
Form	Colecalciferol (D3)	Colecalciferol (D3)	Colecalciferol (D3)	Colecalciferol (D3)
Sustainability	Relies on sheep farming and wool industry	Cultivated in controlled environments; minimal impact	Wild-caught vs. farmed fish impacts	Free and naturally occurring
Suitability for Vegans	Unsuitable due to animal origin	Fully suitable for vegans	Unsuitable due to animal origin	Suitable for all diets

The Role of Fortified Foods

Food fortification with vitamin D has been a public health strategy to combat deficiency for decades. While some fortified products historically used D2, it is now common for many to use D3, though the source may still be animal-derived unless specified otherwise. Fortified foods that can serve as dietary sources include:

• Milk (both dairy and plant-based varieties like soy, almond, and oat milk)
• Breakfast cereals
• Orange juice
• Margarine and other fat spreads

Checking product labels is crucial for determining if a fortified food is suitable for specific dietary preferences, especially for vegans and vegetarians. For those with deficiencies, supplements often provide a more reliable and concentrated dosage than diet or sun exposure alone. The source for supplements should be chosen based on personal dietary and ethical considerations.

Conclusion

Colecalciferol can be sourced from a variety of places, with synthesis in the skin from sun exposure being the most natural form for humans. Industrially, the most widespread source has historically been lanolin derived from sheep's wool, which is used for many supplements and fortified foods. Dietary sources also include animal products like fatty fish and egg yolks. For those seeking vegan alternatives, lichen-based supplements are a growing market, offering a plant-derived version of vitamin D3 that is chemically identical and highly effective. The availability of both animal and vegan sources allows individuals to choose the option that best fits their nutritional needs and ethical considerations, ensuring they maintain adequate vitamin D levels.

Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D

The body can naturally produce colecalciferol through sun exposure.

Animal-derived colecalciferol typically comes from lanolin, a wax from sheep's wool.

A significant vegan source of colecalciferol is lichen, a symbiotic organism of algae and fungus.

Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel are excellent natural dietary sources of colecalciferol.

Many food products, including milk and cereals, are fortified with either vitamin D2 or D3, so checking labels is important for dietary restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is all colecalciferol derived from animal sources?

No, not all colecalciferol is from animals. While the majority of commercial supplements traditionally used animal-derived lanolin, vegan options sourced from lichen are now widely available.

Can vegans get colecalciferol from supplements?

Yes, vegans can get colecalciferol from supplements. These are specifically sourced from plant-based materials like lichen, rather than animal-derived lanolin.

How is colecalciferol extracted from sheep's wool?

Colecalciferol is extracted from lanolin, a wax from sheep's wool. The lanolin is processed to produce 7-dehydrocholesterol, which is then irradiated with ultraviolet light to create vitamin D3.

Is colecalciferol the same as vitamin D3?

Yes, colecalciferol is another name for vitamin D3. It is the form of vitamin D produced in the skin when exposed to sunlight and is generally considered more effective than vitamin D2.

Are there any natural plant-based food sources of colecalciferol?

Naturally, colecalciferol (D3) is not commonly found in most plants. However, a significant plant-based source is lichen, which is used to produce vegan supplements. UV-treated mushrooms primarily provide vitamin D2.

Is there a difference in effectiveness between D2 and D3?

Yes, studies suggest that vitamin D3 (colecalciferol) is more effective than vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) at raising and maintaining vitamin D levels in the body.

Do fortified foods contain animal-derived colecalciferol?

Many fortified foods, like milk and cereals, can use animal-derived colecalciferol. For specific dietary needs, it is important to check the product label for confirmation of the source.