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Amaranth

Overview​

Amaranth is a pseudograin providing complete plant protein and, when used in functional flours, can introduce GABA and other brain nutrients through fermentation. Pseudo grains such as quinoa and amaranth can introduce GABA and other important brain nutrients, and the fermentation of quinoa flour, and other functional flours, introduces natural GABA.

Recipes​

no recipes found

Substances​

2 substances in this food
Chemical structure

Iron

Oxygen transport; dopamine synthesis (tyrosine hydroxylase cofactor)

Chemical structure

Magnesium

Enzymatic cofactor (>300 reactions); neurotransmitters; mitochondria; redox balance

Preparation Notes​

  • Can be used in sourdough/fermented breads for GABA
  • Rinse before cooking to remove saponins
  • Part of pseudograin diversity
  • Pair with legumes if needed

Biological Target Matrix​

Biological TargetSubstanceTherapeutic AreasMechanism of Action
Hormonal ResponseMagnesiumSupports calcium modulation along with vitamin D, taurine, phospholipids, and flavonoids; supports insulin sensitivity, sympathetic arousal, and mitochondrial excitability
Insulin ResponseMagnesiumSupports insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism; magnesium deficiency is associated with insulin resistance; supports enzymes involved in glucose metabolism
Mitochondrial SupportIronCritical for oxygen delivery to the brain via hemoglobin; supports mitochondrial function and energy production
Mitochondrial SupportMagnesiumSupports enzymes involved in glycolysis and the Krebs cycle (processes that generate ATP from glucose); binds to ATP and all triphosphates in cells to activate them
Neurochemical BalanceIronEssential cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of tyrosine to dopamine; critical for catecholamine synthesis
Neurochemical BalanceMagnesiumBroad cofactor for neurotransmitter synthesis and receptor modulation (e.g., NMDA, GABA); functions as an NMDA receptor antagonist and GABA receptor modulator; assists enzymes involved in synthesis of dopamine and serotonin
Stress ResponseMagnesiumHelps manage stress responses; combined with vitamin D reduced behavioral problems; synergy with zinc and omega-3s reported

References​

  • Pseudo Grains: Quinoa, amaranth etc can introduce GABA and other important brain nutrients
  • The fermentation of quinoa flour, and other functional flours, introduces natural GABA