Fortified Plant Milks

Overview

Fortified plant milks (soy, almond, oat, etc.) provide essential nutrients like B12, vitamin D, and sometimes iodine, helping close vegan nutrient gaps. Targets foods providing essential brain supporting vitamins: D (UV-exposed mushrooms; fortified plant milks/yogurts), B12 (fortified plant milks, nutritional yeast).

Recipes

no recipes found

Substances

4 substances in this food

Calcium

Bone health; neurotransmission; interacts with vitamin D and K2

Iodine

Thyroid hormone synthesis; neurodevelopment; neurotransmitter regulation

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Methylation; myelin; mitochondrial odd-chain FA metabolism

Vitamin D

Neurotrophic and immune modulation; calcium homeostasis

Preparation Notes

• Choose fortified varieties for B12 and D
• Check fortification levels and forms (methylcobalamin for B12)
• Important for vegan/vegetarian nutrient sufficiency
• Part of functional food strategy

Biological Target Matrix

Biological Target	Substance	Therapeutic Areas	Mechanism of Action
Gut Microbiome	Vitamin D	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD	Supports gut barrier integrity; nutrient deficiencies including vitamin D disrupt tight junctions, increasing permeability
Hormonal Response	Calcium	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD	Supports calcium modulation along with vitamin D, magnesium, taurine, phospholipids, and flavonoids; supports insulin sensitivity, sympathetic arousal, and mitochondrial excitability
Hormonal Response	Iodine	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD	Essential for synthesis of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which are crucial for brain development, maturation, and metabolic regulation
Hormonal Response	Vitamin D	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD	Modulates neurotrophic factors vital for survival and growth of neurons; supports calcium homeostasis and calcium handling
Methylation	Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease	Essential cofactor in remethylation of homocysteine to methionine, which is converted to S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe); works with B6, B2, and folate; contributes meaningfully to homocysteine reduction, especially in combination with omega-3 fatty acids
Mitochondrial Support	Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Crucial role in conversion of methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA, a key step in mitochondrial energy production; deficiency leads to buildup of methylmalonic acid and odd-chain fatty acids, which are neurotoxic
Neurochemical Balance	Calcium	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Essential for nerve impulse transmission and neurotransmission
Neurochemical Balance	Iodine	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Thyroid hormones regulate synthesis and regulation of key neurotransmitters (dopamine and serotonin), supporting cognitive function and development
Neurochemical Balance	Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Supports neurotransmitter production through methylation; essential for myelin synthesis
Stress Response	Vitamin D	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD	Modulates immune responses to reduce inflammation in the brain; supports stress response through neurotrophic and immune effects

References

• Fortified plant milks and dairy milk can help meet calcium (and sometimes iodine, depending on fortification and local practices) targets
• Targets foods providing essential brain supporting vitamins: D (UV-exposed mushrooms; fortified plant milks/yogurts), B12 (fortified plant milks, nutritional yeast)
• Vitamin B12: Fortified plant milks, nutritional yeast, supplements