Vitashine - Vegan & Vegetarian Vitamin D3

Vitashine™ - Vegan & Vegetarian Vitamin D3

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    Vitashine™ is a special oily extract of Lichen, which is naturally rich in Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) and fatty acids.

    The wonderful world of lichens

    Lichens are small unique plant species consisting of a symbiotic association of a fungus with an algae. This gives them unique attributes such as surviving in extreme climates and having the ability to grow and accumulate meaningful levels of useful nutrients, including Cholecalciferol. Having done our research into natural and sustainable sources of lichen, we have selected Vitashine for inclusion in our IMUNI Immune Defence formula.

    Vitashine™: the world’s only Vegan Society and Vegetarian Society registered Vitamin D3

    Until Vitashine™ ingredients were launched, the only Vegan and Vegetarian source of Vitamin D was the inferior analogue of Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2).

    Vitashine™ ingredients are registered with the Vegan Society and Vegetarian Society and we are very proud to display their logos.

    Vitashine™: Research & Development

    Vitashine™ ingredients are the result of an extensive research project, investigating a large number of lichens grown at different locations all over the world. Vitashine™ has collaborated with the University of Stirling to identify and characterise a large number of candidates, and continue to work with these expert laboratories to evaluate Vitashine ingredients.

    Plant Source Vitamin D3

    Vitashine™ uses lichen, not sheep’s wool!

    • No sheep (or their wool) required.
    • Plant-sourced.

    No Sheep Vitamin D3

    What is Vitamin D3?

    • Vitamin D3 is a fat Soluble vitamin, discovered over 100 years ago.
    • Vitamin D is essential for good health and has been associated with many health benefits.
    • Vitamin D is absorbed from the diet or can be produced in the skin as vitamin D3 when exposed to sufficient sunlight.

    Who benefits from taking Vitamin D3?

    • Everybody irrespective of age, gender or lifestyle needs vitamin D for good health.
    • Studies have shown over 50% of the general population are deficient in Vitamin D, it can be even higher in specific demographic groups. 

    Vitamin D Levels and Sunlight

    • To produce Vitamin D3 in the skin, it is necessary to expose the skin to sunlight.
    • Individuals with darker skin or those living at higher latitudes where sunlight intensity is low do not get sufficient sun exposure.
    • Without adequate sunlight exposure, supplementation may be required to increase vitamin D levels.

    Vitamin D & Darker Skin Tones

    • Darker skin tones such as Asian and Africans naturally filter ultraviolet rays from sunlight, however this also reduces the ability to synthesise vitamin D3 in the skin.
    • Religious and lifestyle clothing which covers much of the skin reduces light exposure further. 

    Vitashine™: Responsible and Sustainable Sourcing

    A key part of Vitashine's™ research was to ensure responsible and sustainable growth. Lichens grow incredibly slowly so they needed to consider scalability and feasibility.

    The lichen used in Vitashine™ has existing and ongoing use for a variety of applications including foods, drinks and decorations. As a result Vitashine™ has been able to secure and manage a suitable source to ensure sustainability as well as quality and purity.

    • No pesticides.
    • Organic growing conditions.
    • Sustainable growing sites.

    Vitashine™ Certification & Accreditation

    Vitashine™ is registered and certified by a variety of different bodies and organisations:

     

    Source: www.vegetology.com

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    What It Actually Does

    Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen - a substance that helps the body adapt to physical and psychological stress. But that description undersells the specificity of the evidence.

    In peer-reviewed clinical trials, ashwagandha root extract has been shown to:

    01

    Reduce serum cortisol levels significantly in adults under chronic stress

    02

    Support testosterone levels and muscle recovery in resistance-trained adults

    03

    Improve subjective measures of stress, anxiety, and wellbeing

    04

    Improve subjective measures of stress, anxiety, and wellbeing

    05

    Improve sleep quality and reduce time to sleep onset

    Why The Form Matters

    Here is where most supplement labels become misleading.
    The clinical trials that produced the evidence above didn't use generic ashwagandha root powder. They used standardised, patented extracts - specifically KSM-66® and Sensoril®, both of which are produced from roots using proprietary extraction methods that concentrate the active withanolides to a consistent, clinically meaningful level.
    Generic ashwagandha powder can contain anywhere from 1% to 8% withanolides. KSM-66® is standardised to a minimum of 5% withanolides with a full-spectrum root extract, which means it retains the natural balance of the plant's compounds rather than isolating one component.
    When you buy a supplement that says "ashwagandha" without specifying the extract form, you have no way of knowing whether it contains enough active compounds to do anything at all.
    At Arise, we use KSM-66® in every formula that contains ashwagandha. It's more expensive. It's worth it.

    Third-party Testing

    Supplements are not regulated the same way pharmaceuticals are. In most markets, a supplement company can put almost anything in a capsule and make almost any claim about it, as long as they don't claim to treat a specific disease.
    This is why third-party testing matters. It means an independent laboratory - one with no financial relationship to the supplement company - has tested the product to verify that:

    1. The ingredients listed are actually present
    2. They're present at the stated concentrations
    3. The product doesn't contain contaminants, heavy metals, or undisclosed substances

    Look for: NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Sport, or USP Verified certification on any supplement you take. These are the most rigorous third-party standards available.
    Every Arise formula is third-party tested before it reaches you. The results are available on request.

    The Honest Bottom Line

    Ashwagandha works. The evidence is genuinely strong. But the quality of the extract determines the quality of the outcome — and most of what's available on the market doesn't use the forms that the clinical research actually studied.
    Read the label. Ask for the extract form. Expect a specific answer.