Shiitake Mushrooms

Native to Asia (predominately Japan), these mushrooms are now being farmed locally in Australia, on logs.

These full of flavour "umami" mushrooms are enjoyed fresh or dried and also support your nutritional health:

  • Shiitake contain nutrients that help keep your immune system, nervous system and metabolism healthy:
  • Vitamin D, selenium, folate and copper for your immune system
  • Biotin, potassium and riboflavin for your nervous system
  • Phosphorus, panthocenic acid, biotin and niacin for your metabolism
  • Shiitake contain Vitamin D which is not only vital for healthy bones but to absorb calcium from foods.
  • Shiitake are a great choice for active people with their combination of nutrients that help fuel energy - panthocenic acid, folate, niacin, potassium, copper, vitamin D, riboflavin and selenium
  • Shiitake help you get your glow on as they contain nutrients important for healthy hair, skin and nails - biotin, copper, niacin, riboflavin and selenium.
  • Shiitake are a good mood food as they contain nutrients that help boost brain power and support good mental health - panthocenic acid, niacin, biotin and folat.
  • Shiitake contain biotin and panthocenic acid that help keep your metabolism healthy and break down fat in foods.

Tan your mushrooms, not your skin

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



Vitamin D2 vs D3

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

Whole Food vs Extracts

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.

What are Beta Glucans?

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:

How much Vitamin D do I need?

Everyone has varied needs for Vitamin D and you should always consult with your health professional.

According to Health Direct the average requirement for daily Vitamin D needs are:

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.