In reply: People requiring a purely vegetarian source of vitamin D should use vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), which is produced by ultraviolet irradiation of the plant sterol ergosterol, and not vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which is derived from animal sources.
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
- 1. Nowson CA, McGrath JJ, Ebeling PR, et al; Working Group of Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society, Endocrine Society of Australia and Osteoporosis Australia. Vitamin D and health in adults in Australia and New Zealand: a position statement. Med J Aust 2012; 196: 686-687. <MJA full text>
- 2. Flicker L, MacInnis RJ, Stein MS, et al. Should older people in residential care receive vitamin D to prevent falls? Results of a randomized trial. J Am Geriatr Soc 2005; 53: 1881-1888.
- 3. Hohman EE, Martin BR, Lachcik PJ, et al. Bioavailability and efficacy of vitamin D2 from UV-irradiated yeast in growing, vitamin D-deficient rats. J Agric Food Chem 2011; 59: 2341-2346.
- 4. Urbain P, Singler F, Ihorst G, et al. Bioavailability of vitamin D2 from UV-B-irradiated button mushrooms in healthy adults deficient in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 2011; 65: 965-971.
Online responses are no longer available. Please refer to our instructions for authors page for more information.
Rebecca Mason has received remuneration from the Australian Mushroom Growers’ Association.