Plant-based vitamin D – a sustainable choice that respects nature

Vitamin D is one of the important nutrients our body needs, not only for normal bones and the normal function of the immune system. Especially during the winter months, a large part of the population suffers from vitamin D deficiency, which is why we more often top up its levels with dietary supplements ^[1]. In today's article, we explain why Trime offers exclusively plant-based vitamin D3 from lichen and why we do not consider vitamin D from animal-derived lanolin a suitable source.

What will you learn in this article?

1. Plant-based versus animal-based vitamin D
2. Animal origin - vitamin D from lanolin
3. How vitamin D3 is made from lanolin
4. Disadvantages of vitamin D made from lanolin
5. Lanolin as an allergen
6. Why do we prefer plant-based vitamin D?
7. What are the benefits of our vitamin D from lichen?
8. A quick reminder of important facts about vitamin D
9. Key takeaways

Plant-based versus animal-based vitamin D

You will find a large number of supplements on the market, which differ not only in quality, but also in their source. Most vitamin D3 supplements are of animal origin, and manufacturers do not always specify which form of the vitamin they use and how it was obtained. At Trime, we make supplements whose composition is as close as possible to nature and that are environmentally friendly at the same time. That is why vitamin D from a plant source is a clear choice for us.

Animal origin - vitamin D from lanolin

A very common raw material for the production of vitamin D is lanolin, a yellow secretion of the sebaceous glands of sheep. In principle, lanolin works as a waterproof layer that protects sheep from bad weather, for example from cold or rain. The word lanolin comes from the Latin "lanolinum", a combination of lana (wool) and oleum (oil), although from a chemical point of view lanolin is classified as a wax.

How vitamin D3 is made from lanolin

The extracted wool is first washed in hot water with detergent to remove any parasites or impurities, which produces raw lanolin. The fatty component is then separated from the non-fatty component by a process called saponification, followed by centrifugation. Raw cholesterol is isolated using extractants and solvents. It is then chemically converted into 7-dehydrocholesterol, which, after UV irradiation and further purification, becomes vitamin D3 for the production of dietary supplements.

Disadvantages of vitamin D made from lanolin

Undesirable substances used in the production of vitamin D from lanolin may include pesticides or preservatives. Sheep's wool can be contaminated with pesticides that sheep come into contact with on pastures where plants are chemically treated. The animals themselves and their skin are also subjected to disinfectant baths against ticks and other pests, and residues of these chemicals may remain in their skin.

Since lanolin is lipid-based, it can become rancid or oxidize when exposed to air. For this reason, antioxidants are commonly used during the processing and storage of lanolin and its fractions, including butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a synthetic antioxidant that slows down fat oxidation. Although BHT is considered safe at regulated levels ^[2], trace amounts can remain in human adipose tissue. From a toxicological perspective, limited evidence of carcinogenicity in animals has been reported for BHT, which may raise concerns about its potential impact on human health (even though the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies BHT as not classifiable with regard to carcinogenicity) ^[3].

Another aspect is the ethical point of view. Wool is often obtained from sheep in a rough way, and deep cuts are a common injury. Some breeders also use a drastic practice called mulesing. It involves cutting away a large amount of skin around the anus and tail to get rid of the wrinkled skin and wool that would otherwise trap feces. This "circumcision" is usually performed without anesthesia, it is very painful and stressful for the sheep, and the wounds can take a long time to heal ^[4].

Lanolin as an allergen

Every year, the American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) names an Allergen of the Year. The aim is to draw attention to allergens that are common and deserve more attention because they can cause significant contact allergic reactions. Lanolin was named the ACDS Allergen of the Year 2023 ^[5].

Thanks to its softening and moisturizing properties, lanolin is used not only in cosmetics but also in pharmaceuticals. Although lanolin is a weak sensitizer and about 0.4% of the general European population react to it when tested, there are risk-related conditions such as leg ulcers, perianal/genital dermatitis or atopic dermatitis. Children and older people are also at higher risk of developing a contact allergy to lanolin ^[6].

Why do we prefer plant-based vitamin D?

At Trime, we care not only about the maximum nutritional potential of our supplements, but also about them being kind to nature. Sustainability, an ethical approach, environmental impact and respect for nature and animals are crucial to us. That is why products with lanolin extract are not a suitable choice for us.

Plant-based vitamin D used to be made from mushroom extracts. Chemically, however, this form corresponds to vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) raises blood levels of vitamin D more effectively than vitamin D2, especially with higher single doses ^[7]. That is why we looked for a plant source of vitamin D3 specifically.

Our plant-based vitamin D3 comes in the well-absorbed form of cholecalciferol and is obtained from a purely plant source of the highest quality and purity. It is obtained from non-genetically modified lichen, grown under strictly controlled conditions without the use of pesticides or other contaminants.

What are the benefits of our vitamin D from lichen?

• Purity and quality: Lichen is grown under strictly controlled conditions in a so-called closed cycle, where there is no risk of contamination from the surrounding environment as in the wild. No pesticides or chemical solvents are used during production, and our products do not contain synthetic preservatives.

• Sustainable and energy-saving production (the production process is not energy intensive).

• The same effectiveness as animal-derived vitamin D3: it is the same cholecalciferol molecule, only the source is different.

• Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Read more about vegan and non-vegan vitamin D3 in our article Differences Between Plant-Based and Animal-Derived Vitamin D.

Vitamin D3 - 2000 IU (cholecalciferol)

A quick reminder of important facts about vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that has many functions in the body. It behaves more like a hormone. It contributes to the normal absorption and utilisation of calcium and phosphorus and to the maintenance of normal bones and teeth. Most cells in the body have a receptor for this vitamin, which also shows its importance. Vitamin D has a role in the process of cell division and contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function and to the normal function of the immune system.

The natural source of vitamin D is sunlight, which is why we naturally top up our levels of this important vitamin by exposing our skin to the sun in summer. However, limiting factors of vitamin D synthesis have to be taken into account, for example the time spent in the sun, the wavelength of sunlight or the use of sunscreen. For these reasons, we may not have sufficient vitamin D levels even in summer. In winter, our sources are certain foods, such as oily fish, which we tend to eat only occasionally. That is why we more often lack vitamin D in winter (in Europe, about twice as many people have low vitamin D levels in winter as in summer) ^[1], and it is worth focusing more on supplementation.

You can find more articles about vitamin D on our blog, for example Vitamin D: Proper Dosage, Benefits, and What Affects Your Levels, Vitamin D from the Sun: How Much Time You Need and What Blocks It or Vitamin D3 and K2: Why take them together and how they help with our health.

Key takeaways

Sources:

[1] Cashman KD, Dowling KG, Škrabáková Z, et al. Vitamin D deficiency in Europe: pandemic? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2016; 103(4): 1033–1044. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.115.120873

[2] EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS). Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of butylated hydroxytoluene BHT (E 321) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 2012; 10(3): 2588. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2588

[3] International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans, Vol. 40, 1986; Suppl. 7, 1987. https://inchem.org/documents/iarc/vol40/butylatedhydroxytoluene.html

[4] RSPCA Australia. What is the RSPCA's view on mulesing and flystrike prevention in sheep? RSPCA Knowledgebase, 2025. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-is-the-rspcas-view-on-mulesing-and-flystrike-prevention-in-sheep/

[5] Jenkins BA, Belsito DV. Lanolin. Dermatitis, 2023; 34: 4–12. https://doi.org/10.1089/derm.2022.0002

[6] Johnson H, Norman T, Adler BL, Yu J. Lanolin: The 2023 American Contact Dermatitis Society Allergen of the Year. Cutis, 2023; 112(2): 78–81. https://community.the-hospitalist.org/content/lanolin-2023-american-contact-dermatitis-society-allergen-year

[7] Tripkovic L, Lambert H, Hart K, Smith CP, Bucca G, Penson S, et al. Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2012; 95(6): 1357–1364. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.111.031070