Buckwheat

Overview

Buckwheat is a pseudograin providing complete plant protein, rutin (flavonoid), and magnesium, supporting vascular health and neurotransmitter function. Buckwheat has a DIAAS score of 75-80, lysine marginal; high rutin content for vascular health. Whole grains (including pseudograins like quinoa and buckwheat, grains like barley and oats) support gut health. Combine with lentils or chickpeas for amino acid complementarity.

Recipes

no recipes found

Substances

1 substance in this food

Magnesium

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

Preparation Notes

• Rinse before cooking to remove any debris
• Can be used in sourdough/fermented breads for GABA production potential
• Pair with legumes for complete amino acid profile; combine with lentils or chickpeas for amino acid complementarity
• Part of pseudograin diversity strategy
• High rutin content supports vascular health

Biological Target Matrix

Biological Target	Substance	Therapeutic Areas	Mechanism of Action
Hormonal Response	Magnesium	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD	Supports calcium modulation along with vitamin D, taurine, phospholipids, and flavonoids; supports insulin sensitivity, sympathetic arousal, and mitochondrial excitability
Insulin Response	Magnesium	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD	Supports insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism; magnesium deficiency is associated with insulin resistance; supports enzymes involved in glucose metabolism
Mitochondrial Support	Magnesium	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Supports 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 Balance	Magnesium	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Broad 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 Response	Magnesium	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD	Helps manage stress responses; combined with vitamin D reduced behavioral problems; synergy with zinc and omega-3s reported

References

• Whole grains (including pseudograins like quinoa and buckwheat, grains like barley and oats) support gut health
• Buckwheat: DIAAS 75-80, Lysine (marginal) - High rutin content for vascular health
• Combine with lentils or chickpeas for amino acid complementarity; grain-legume complementarity improves essential amino-acid coverage
• Rutin is a flavonoid that supports vascular health and may have neuroprotective effects