Is there mush-room for another type of Vitamin D supplement?

If you haven't heard or read about Vitamin D deficiency in the UK recently then you must have been hiding somewhere without the internet, TV or papers!

It is estimated as many as 70% of British citizens suffer from a Vitamin D deficiency, which is believed to be caused by our dietary habits, poor weather and short winter days.

The elderly and children particularly at risk

Health officials have estimated that 40% of children are not getting enough vitamin D and experts believe this to be 'behind the return of 'Victorian diseases. According to statistics the UK are seeing a rise in reported cases of TB, Scarlet Fever and Rickets. The disease which has seen the sharpest rise is Rickets - the number of hospital admissions for the bone deficiency has risen over the last decade from 190 to 833, according to NHS figures.

Mild to moderate vitamin D deficiency can lead to a weakening of the bones – a condition called osteoporosis which increases the risk of bone fractures, and is of particular danger to the elderly.  It has also been linked to an increased risk of developing heart disease, bowel and breast cancer, multiple sclerosis and diabetes

A revolutionary new way to get a Vitamin D dose

It has been said to have taken 5 years to become a reality but M&S have brought the Vitamin D mushroom to their shelves. Vitamin D is predominately sourced by our bodies from sunlight, but it can be obtained in smaller amounts in our diet in foods such as oily fish and eggs.

Mushrooms are ordinarily grown in darkness but these are different as they receive a measured dose of bright light to simulate daylight and produce the Vitamin D.

Now with just 3 of these Vitamin D mushrooms you can get 100% of your RDA in a tasty meal.  After testing even the cooking process didn't remove the nutrient and the mushrooms can still produce Vitamin D after harvest as long as they are exposed to sunlight.

Next on the shelves will be selenium enriched Brussels sprouts!