Article written and contributed by Mike O’Sullivan, Watsonia General Practice Dietitian. Mushrooms have the potential to be great sources of Vitamin D. Here in Melbourne we do go through quite a long period where there is little sun. Also many of us are not getting enough vitamin D due to working indoors. Here are some interesting facts in regards Vitamin d and mushrooms:  All mushroom have a compound called ergosterol that becomes vitamin D when exposed to UV light (eg sunlight). Changes to ergocalciferol (vitamin D2).  Eating mushrooms containing vitamin D2 can be as effective at increasing and maintaining vitamin D levels as taking supplemental vitamin D2 or D3. Just 1 hour of sun exposure stimulate mushrooms to provide at least 10mg of Vit D (3 medium sized mushrooms) – 10mg is 400 IU. Further exposure yielded higher Vit D, in some cases 3 white mushrooms can yield 890IU vitamin d  – this is close to the quantity of one vitamin D capsule. Vitamin D is very stable in mushrooms even after cooking. Vit D is fat soluble so cooking mushroom in some olive oil would be recommended Shiitake mushrooms are probably one of the highest sources. One researcher found … Continue reading Mushrooms – They’re fun-gi.