Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps the body form and maintain healthy bones and teeth. The classic vitamin D deficiency disease is rickets. More recent research has shown that it helps regulate the immune system, lowering the risk of infection, mood issues, heart disease and autoimmune diseases. Yet as fear of skin cancer has grown and lifestyles have become more sedentary, exposure to the sun has dropped dramatically and vitamin D deficiency and the incidence of rickets has surged.

The skin cannot create vitamin D if covered in sunscreen or clothing, it is thought that a sun cream with SPF15 will reduce the skin’s ability to synthesize vitamin D by more than 95%. Many older people and those from the Asian community who tend to wear more modest clothing are amongst the population groups most like to suffer deficiency in vitamin D. Dietary sources include fortified foods, eggs and fatty fish.

Like humans, mushrooms synthesize vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Mushrooms exposed to a short burst of ultraviolet light contain optimum levels of Vitamin D for human consumption. The UV burst does not affect the mushrooms' other nutritional qualities, taste, appearance or shelf life.

Why is Viridian Liquid D so good?

Certified non-GMO.

Cultivated and processed in the USA.

Contains no carriers/excipients. 100% mushroom powder retains all original nutrient content.

Certified to be free of lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium.

Vegan-friendly source of Vitamin D2.

Contains naturally occurring antioxidants, riboflavin, niacin and copper.

It has long been known that edible fungi such as the white button mushroom are abundant in Vitamin D. Derived from certified organic Agaricus bisporus mushrooms, Viridian’s Organic Vitamin D offers an effective, clean and certified vegan-friendly Vitamin D2 supplement.

Though there is controversy regarding whether Vitamin D3 or Vitamin D2 is superior, in some recent studies Vitamin D2 has been shown to be as effective as Vitamin D3 in maintaining circulating concentrations of 25- hydroxyvitamin D, other research shows D3 to be a little more effective. Both forms of Vitamin D are utilised and beneficial to the body.

Further research has shown that natural forms of Vitamin D may be more effective than chemical extracts, making mushroom sourced Vitamin D2 even more attractive. Not only is it an excellent source of D2, but it also provides a host of antioxidants along with riboflavin, niacin and copper; all in a totally natural and organic product.

Is Vitamin D good for Osteoporosis?

The major biological function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Recently, research also suggests vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis. Vitamin D levels have also been found to be low in magnesium-deficient osteoporosis sufferers; this may be because magnesium is required for an enzyme that converts vitamin D into its most active form (1,25-(OH)2D3).

Is Vitamin D good for the immune system?

Vitamin D, the so-called sunshine vitamin, which can be obtained from food, supplements or manufactured by human skin exposed to the sun, researchers believe plays a key role in boosting the immune system. In particular it triggers and arms the body's T cells, the cells in the body that seek out and destroy any invading bacteria and viruses. Scientists at the University of Copenhagen discovered that Vitamin D is crucial to activating our immune defences and that without sufficient intake of the vitamin, the killer cells of the immune system (T cells) will not be able to react to and fight off serious infections in the body. A recent study found an association between a mother’s intake of vitamin D during pregnancy and the reduced risk of type-1 diabetes in her offspring. Scientists have also reported that women who take vitamin D within multivitamins are 40% less likely to develop multiple sclerosis than women who do not take supplements.

Does vitamin D protect our Cells?

Vitamin D and calcium are metabolically interrelated and highly correlated dietary factors. Experimental studies have shown their effects in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in normal cells.

Can Vitamin D help with painful muscles?

High-dose vitamin D supplementation corrects the vitamin D deficiency that is common in patients with musculo-skeletal pain, subsequently providing an important anti- inflammatory benefit and the alleviation of muscle pain. A two year placebo controlled study involving 48 institutionalised elderly patients, taking vitamin 1000iu D2 (ergocalciferol) daily, resulted in an increase in the relative number and size of type II muscle fibres and improved muscle strength in the vitamin D treated group compare to placebo.

Is Vitamin D an antidepressant?

Vitamin D supplementation has resulted in lessening the severity of depression and enhancing mood, sociability and overall sense of wellbeing. Vitamin D rapidly increases the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (the rate-limiting enzyme for the catecholamine biosynthesis) by threefold. Summer sunlight increases brain serotonin levels twice as much as winter sunlight, a finding compatible with both bright light in the visible spectrum and vitamin D affecting mood. Vitamin D is widely involved in brain function with nuclear receptors for vitamin D localized in neurons and glial cells. The reported biological effects of vitamin D in the nervous system include the biosynthesis of neurotrophic factors, inhibition of the synthesis of inducible nitric oxide synthase and increased glutathione levels, suggesting a role for the hormone in brain detoxification pathways. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is prevalent when vitamin D stores are typically low. Research reveals that vitamin D may be an important treatment for SAD.