Vitamin D deficiency treated by consuming UVB-irradiated mushrooms

Br J Gen Pract. 2008 Sep;58(554):644-5. doi: 10.3399/bjgp08X341959.

Abstract

Deficiency of vitamin D is usually caused by dietary deficiency and/or lack of exposure to sunlight in dark skinned individuals living at northern latitudes. Simple vitamin D deficiency is commonly treated by prescribing a vitamin D containing calcium supplement. This report presents a patient who rejected this approach and instead, after researching alternative treatment options independently, opted to self-treat by consuming UVB-irradiated mushrooms. The beneficial effect of this on the patient's plasma biochemical markers is shown. Further research into the beneficial effect of consuming UVB-irradiated mushrooms is required.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agaricales*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parathyroid Hormone / blood
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultraviolet Rays*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / diet therapy*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / etiology

Substances

  • Parathyroid Hormone