Vitashine Vegan Vitamin D3 Expands Scope with Worldwide Partnerships

London, United Kingdom, February 03, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Vitashine is the world's only Vegan Society and Vegetarian Society registered Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplements. The 100% plant-source D3 is organically-grown, non-GMO and has been tested by Independent Expert Laboratories including Stirling University to validate the presence of Vitamin D3 and quantify the levels.

ESB Developments Ltd launched Vitashine following several years of extensive research and development. ESB is a UK-based Life Science company that has previously launched Opti3, an award-winning high strength vegan/vegetarian EPA & DHA supplement.

In January 2012, ESB Developments Ltd entered distribution agreements with partners in several key territories. This will ensure customers of all types and sizes will have access to Vitashine on a global scale. Further details about the specific partnerships will be released in due course.

Chris Smith is one of the founders of the Vitashine brand and has been involved in the research program throughout. Chris gave an insight into the final stages of the research:

"After years of researching and testing, we identified lichens as possible candidates. One of the biggest challenges was to work through the many target species of lichen and find suitable sources and growing conditions, but we got there and ended up with bags full of plant matter. We literally sent the lichen samples off for analysis and I will never forget the day the results came back and showed not only that Vitamin D3 was present, but the levels looked viable. It is fair to say we were more than a little bit excited."

What followed was a frantic period of testing and re-testing at the same and other laboratories to validate the result and also testing filtered and refined extracts from the lichen.

Chris described the moment the full data was ready showing a fully validated growing system and supply chain and they were able to consult the Vegan Society; "We were thrilled to demonstrate and quantify the presence of Vitamin D3 in the starting lichen, the filtered material and then in the final extract. We shared our full data with the Vegan Society and they shared our excitement at finally having a true plant source of Vitamin D3. We met their Scientific Experts to explain everything about the source, growing methods and of course data."

There have been previous launches of so-called vegan Vitamin D3 supplements however on closer inspection those tested by the Vegan Society have proved to be either D2 or simply plants artificially fed with lanolin-based (sheep's wool) Vitamin D3, which is no more vegan than the sheep's wool itself.

Since its launch in September 2011, Vitashine has received a huge amount of interest, and Chris expressed his delighted at the global response; "We have been excited and humbled by the reaction to Vitashine since its launch. We have been inundated with wonderful comments about our research, ethics and products, and such feedback makes it all worthwhile. Our commitment is to continue to develop innovative and market-leading products for people of all ages and lifestyle choices."

ESB Developments Ltd invests in research to create innovative products that help us strive towards a more sustainable planet, and provide key nutritional options to those who may normally miss out. The team at ESB consists of Chemists and Researchers with extensive experience in the Health & Beauty sector. Vitashine is the world's only Vitamin D3 from 100% vegan and vegetarian suitable plant-source, ensuring this vital nutrient is available to consumers worldwide. ESB Developments also developed Opti3 Omega-3 EPA & DHA from algae, challenging the need for fish as a source of Omega-3 as part of a wider campaign to raise awareness about the unsustainable and ridiculous fishing practises that are still allowed to take place.

For further information about the products:
www.vitashine-d3.com
www.opti3omega.com

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