Sunshine Yeast· Vitamin D2 – A Natural & Vegan Source of Vitamin D

1. Vitamin D2 and D3: Different Origins, Equivalent Biological Function

In nature, vitamin D primarily exists in two forms:

• Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol): derived from plant-based and microbial sources
  
  
• Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol): mainly derived from animal-based sources
  
  

Once consumed, both vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 follow the same biological metabolic pathway in the human body:

• First hydroxylation in the liver → formation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD)
  
  
• Second hydroxylation in the kidneys → formation of calcitriol (1,25(OH)₂D), the biologically active form of vitamin D
  
  

It is calcitriol that directly participates in essential physiological functions, including:

• Enhancing calcium absorption
  
  
• Supporting the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth
  
  
• Regulating calcium balance in the blood
  
  
• Contributing to normal nerve and muscle function
  
  

? Since both D2 and D3 are ultimately converted into the same active form, the question becomes: why not choose a more natural source of vitamin D?

Previously, vitamin D3 was often believed to have higher bioavailability than vitamin D2. However, a growing body of recent research, including official publications from the U.S. FDA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), has demonstrated that vitamin D2 and D3 have comparable bioavailability and biological efficacy when used at appropriate levels.

2. Sunshine Vitamin D2 – A Completely Natural & Vegan Vitamin D Solution

In today’s nutrition landscape, consumers increasingly value ingredient origin, naturalness, and compatibility with vegan lifestyles. As a result, vitamin D2 has become a preferred choice for many brands and consumers due to its fully natural, animal-free origin and suitability for plant-based diets.

Developed by Lallemand Bio-Ingredients, a global leader in yeast-based ingredient innovation, Lalmin® Vitamin D is widely recognized as a premium solution among manufacturers. Lalmin® Vitamin D is a naturally derived vitamin D2 produced from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae through controlled exposure to sunlight or UV light.

Under these conditions, naturally occurring ergosterol in the yeast is converted into vitamin D2, closely mimicking the way the human body synthesizes vitamin D when skin is exposed to sunlight.

This natural, light-driven process is why Lalmin® Vitamin D is commonly referred to as Sunshine Vitamin D2.3.

3. What Does “Truly Natural and Vegan Vitamin D” Mean?

Unlike vitamin D2, most vitamin D3 products on the market are produced from lanolin (sheep’s wool grease) through complex refining and chemical synthesis processes, making them unsuitable for vegan lifestyles.

More importantly, Lalmin® VitaD is a naturally fermented vitamin D-rich yeast powder. It uses naturally occurring Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, fermented to mimic sunlight, resulting in a product rich in Vitamin D2. No solvents are used for concentration or extraction. Each gram contains 200 micrograms (8000 IU) of Vitamin D2 from naturally occurring yeast. It's no exaggeration to call it "natural, vegan" vitamin D, suitable for sustainable and vegan lifestyles. This sun-fermented Vitamin D2 contains absolutely no animal-derived ingredients, meeting the growing demand for plant-based, vegan, and environmentally friendly products.