Fungi and Vitamin D

3=D<Content Source – Berkeley Wellness – UC Berkeley

Mushrooms are the ONLY vegetarian food that can make vitamin D. Actually, they con­tain a “pro-vitamin,” or precursor, called ergosterol that is converted into vitamin D when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radia­tion—similar to how your skin synthesizes the vitamin in response to sun exposure.

However, commercially cultivated mush­rooms are almost always grown indoors in the dark, so they usually have negligible amounts of vitamin D. In contrast, wild mushrooms—notably chanterelles, mai­take, and morels—are usually rich in D because they get sun exposure.

Since 2009 some commercial growers have produced D-enhanced mushrooms by exposing them briefly to UV lamps, typi­cally after harvesting. They are usually labeled “UV-treated” or “high in vitamin D.” D-enhanced mushrooms from companies such as Monterey Mushrooms contain at least 400 IU of vitamin D per 3-ounce serv­ing and usually cost a little extra. The treat­ment does not darken the mushrooms or affect other nutrients.

The form of vitamin D produced in mush­rooms is D2, unlike the D3 found in the few animal foods that naturally contain the vita­min; most supplements and fortified foods, such as milk, also contain D3. It used to be thought that D2 was less potent and bioavail­able in the body than D3. But more recent research—including a study comparing D2 from mushrooms with D3 from supplements, in Dermato-Endocrinology in 2013—has found that D2 is as effective as D3 in boosting the biologically active form of the vitamin in the body. Vegetarians may prefer D2 because it is not derived from animals (D3 in supple­ments is derived from lanolin in sheep’s wool).

Vitamin D – What’s the Latest? ~ Vitamin D_ What’s the Latest_ _ Berkeley Wellness

Increase the vitamin D in your mushrooms

Over the past decade, sci­entists have found that it takes only a modest amount of UV from the sun or special lamps to produce significant levels of vitamin D in mushrooms. Just 15 minutes of direct sun­light can produce 200 to 800 IU in 3 ounces of mushrooms (the daily RDA is 600 to 800 IU), regardless of type or season. At least 90 per­cent of the vitamin is retained after storage and cooking. Whole button mushrooms syn­thesize the least D; sliced buttons, however, are proficient D producers. If you do this your­self, place the mushrooms with the “gills” (also called lamellae, under the caps) facing the sun to increase D production. The mush­rooms may discolor or dry out a little.

Bottom line: If you like mushrooms, those that have been exposed to UV can help you get more vitamin D, but it’s easier and cheaper to take a vitamin D supplement, if you need one.