It is important to get enough vitamin D from the diet because it helps human bodies absorb and use calcium and phosphorous for strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D can help protect older adults against osteoporosis. Vitamin D is important to the body in many other ways as well. Muscles need it to move, for example, nerves need it to carry messages between the brain and every body part, and the immune system needs vitamin D to fight off invading bacteria and viruses.
The two main dietary forms of vitamin D are D2, found in fungi and yeast, and D3, found in animals; lesser amounts of vitamin D3 and D4 are also found in fungi. Few foods in the Western diet are a good source of vitamin D, with the best naturally occurring dietary source being oily fish.
Vegetable foods generally contain low vitamin D Mushrooms provide some vitamin D. In some mushrooms that are newly available in stores, the vitamin D content is being boosted by exposing these mushrooms to ultraviolet light.
Mushrooms are a natural source of vitamin D2.The vitamin D2content of mushrooms can be increased dramatically by UV irradiation, whereby ergocalciferol is formed from ergosterol.
Vitamin D2 is included in some dietary supplements and fortified foods, particularly vegetarian products.
Mushroom
as a food source of vitamin D
