Effects of Vitamin D-Enriched Mushrooms on Vitamin D Status and Immune Function and Inflammatory Status in Adults

We hypothesize that consuming vitamin D-enriched mushrooms daily for 12 weeks will prevent decreases in serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D2 concentrations. Secondarily, we hypothesize consuming vitamin D-enriched mushrooms daily for 12 weeks will improve clinical indicators of inflammatory status and alter/enhance immune status and immune cell function. This short-term randomized, controlled trial will provide important data to inform the plausibility, focus, and design of longer-term intervention trials, consistent with The Mushroom Council's research agenda regarding health-promoting effects of vitamin D-enriched mushrooms.

Inclusion criteria

• BMI: 25.0-34.9 kg/m^2
• Total cholesterol <240 mg/dL
• low density lipoprotein cholesterol < 160 mg/dL
• triglycerides <300 mg/dL
• fasting glucose < 110 mg/dL
• systolic/diastolic blood pressure < 140/90 mmHg
• body weight stable for 3 months prior (+- 3 kg)
• stable physical activity regiment 3 months prior
• medication use stable for 6 months prior
• non-smoking
• non-diabetic
• not acutely ill
• females not pregnant or lactating
• willing to refrain from taking vitamin D supplements or any supplements containing vitamin D
• No history of bariatric surgery
• Not extremely or severely depressed (Beck's Depression Inventory Score <= 30)
• Agree not to donate blood for at least one month prior to, during, and for one month after the study
• Agree not to travel to sunny locations during the study period
• Agree to forgo any tanning bed or other tanning procedures during the study
• Willing and able to consume mushrooms and travel to testing facilities

Exclusion criteria

• Age <30 or >70
• BMI <25 or >35kg/m2
• Total cholesterol >240 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >160 mg/dL, triglycerides >300mg/dL, fasting glucose >110 mg/dL
• Systolic/diastolic blood pressure >140/90 mm Hg
• Body weight changes in previous 3 months (±3 kg)
• Changes in physical activity regimen in the previous 3 months
• Medication changes in the previous 6 months
• Extremely or severely depressed (Beck's Depression Inventory Score >30)
• Unwilling to refrain from taking vitamin D supplements or any supplements containing vitamin D
• Regiment of megadosing vitamin D
• Unwilling to not to travel to sunny locations during the study period
• Unwilling to forgo any tanning bed or other tanning procedures during the study
• History of bariatric surgery
• Consuming a restricted diet (such as keto, gluten free, high protein, low carb, etc.)
• Smoking
• Diabetic
• Acute illness
• Females pregnant or lactating
• Unwilling to not to donate blood for at least one month prior to, during, and for one month after the study
• Allergic to mushrooms or bread