Importance of Vitamin D to the Australian diet

Did you know almost one-third of Austrlians are Vitamin D deficient?

Enough sunlight on our skin should provide, for most of us, the natural catalyst for developing Vitamin D in our bodies. Yet the prevalence of skin cancer in Australia, means people do not get enough sunlight on their skin. We have become very good at Slip, Slop, Slap, and with good reason, however, this means that more than almost a third of us are deficient in Vitamin D. Thus, the need to supplement Vitamin D through our diet. 

Hi-D provides the ideal supplement for those who prefer a safe, whole food, plant based, clean alternative of Vitamin D. 

Article - Insight - Tan your mushrooms not your skin

Article - Health Direct - Vitamin D Deficiency in Australia

Article - Pubmed - Vitamin D Deficiency in Australia

Dr Michael Holick - Top Vitamin D Researcher in the world

Most D3 is animal based (sheep) and D2 is plant based. There is a plant based option for D3 (lichens) however it involves an extraction process and is widely known as not being environmentally friendly, sourcing the lichens from the Amazon rainforests.

Hi-D is a truly environmentally, plant based, whole food source of Vitamin D2.

Absorption and effect on the Kidneys: the D2 variant is often prescribed by doctors to elderly patients who have a lot of burden on their kidneys either because a) they might have chronic kidney disease or b) simply take too many other types of medication putting undue strain on the kidneys. Research shows that Vitamin D2 is easier to process by the kidneys 

Much has been made by early research in which certain blood-markers (other substances demonstrating the existence of Vitamin D in the blood stream) were showing that one needs to take less Vitamin D3 than D2 to attain similar levels. However, more recent peer-reviewed research has clearly shown that the bioavailability (the actual useful quantity at cellular level) of Vitamin D2 is similar to D3.

Article - Medical News Today - D3 vs D2

Extraction in chemistry is a separation process consisting of the separation of a substance from a matrix.

The issue with extraction is they most often use chemicals in the extraction process which no longer makes something a whole food and has negative effects on the environment.

The benefit of a whole food product is that it retains all of the nutrients and goodness. When we eat whole food, we're not consuming single nutrients, but rather a range of vitamins, minerals, ensymes and proteins that synergistically work in our bodies.

There are many so called "whole food" products out on the market, but look closely at the use of extracts as they may be present in many products.

We are proud that at Hi-D, our products are 100% whole food and free from all chemical extractions.

Beta Glucans are naturally occurring polysaccharides. They are soluble fibres that come from the cell walls of bacteria, fungi, yeast and some plants.

Beta Glucans are known to:

• Stimulate the growth and activity of intestinal microbiota whilst inhabiting the growth of pathogens
• Demonstrated to enhance the immune system
  
  (See supporting article here)

Ergothioneines area amino acids that is found mainly in mushrooms.

Recent research demonstrates:

• This family of substances which have their highest naturally occurring concentrations in mushrooms (our product contains a very high comparative level) – have been shown by medical research to reduce inflammation (swelling) in liver, kidneys, lungs and the brain.
• They help maintain and regenerate the brain and nervous system. Scientific research suggests that ERGO benefits brain function through both its antioxidative activity and by promoting neurogenesis and neuronal maturation.
  
  See article on recent research here

According to Health Direct.gov.au

Babies, children, teenagers and adults aged 19–50 years should have 5μg (micrograms) of vitamin D per day. Adults aged 51-70 years should have 10μg of vitamin D per day. Adults aged over 70 years should have 15μg of vitamin D per day.