Peanuts

Overview

Peanuts provide niacin (B3) for NAD+ synthesis, resveratrol (polyphenol), and plant protein supporting mitochondrial function and antioxidant networks. Niacin (Vitamin B₃): Directly converted to NAD+ via salvage pathway; food sources include chicken, turkey, tuna, salmon, mushrooms, peanuts, whole grains. Niacin-rich foods (e.g., salmon, chicken breast, turkey, peanuts, and mushrooms) support NAD+ availability, glutathione synthesis, and mitochondrial health.

Recipes

no recipes found

Substances

18 substances in this food

Copper

Cofactor in redox enzymes; dopamine β-hydroxylase; iron metabolism interplay

Histidine

Essential AA; precursor to histamine; roles in enzyme active sites

Isoleucine

Essential BCAA; energy metabolism; complements leucine/valine

Leucine

Essential BCAA; mTOR signaling; protein synthesis; cognitive load support

Linoleic Acid (LA, n-6)

Essential omega-6; precursor to arachidonic acid and eicosanoids

Lysine

Essential AA; limiting in many cereals; complements legumes

Magnesium

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

Manganese

Cofactor for MnSOD (SOD2); mitochondrial antioxidant defense

Methionine

Essential AA; precursor to SAMe via methylation cycle

Phenylalanine

Essential AA; precursor to tyrosine → catecholamines

Threonine

Essential AA; structural proteins; mucin production

Tryptophan

Serotonin/melatonin precursor; NAD+ pathway substrate; LAT1 transport dynamics

Valine

Essential BCAA; supports protein balance and neurotransmitter transport competition

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Mitochondrial glucose metabolism; ATP synthesis; rapid turnover in CNS

Vitamin B3 (Niacin; Niacinamide)

NAD+ precursor; supports mitochondrial biogenesis and ATP production

Vitamin B9 (Folate; 5-MTHF)

One-carbon metabolism; methylation; homocysteine recycling

Vitamin E (Tocopherols/Tocotrienols)

Lipid-phase antioxidant; protects PUFA (DHA) in membranes

Zinc

Cofactor in neurotransmission and antioxidant enzymes; dopamine modulation

Preparation Notes

• Choose dry-roasted or raw over oil-roasted to preserve nutrients and avoid excess omega-6
• Soak to reduce phytates and improve mineral bioavailability
• Part of diverse plant protein strategy; dietary diversity (≥30 plant foods per week) supports microbial richness and resilience
• Pair with grains for complete amino acid profile; grain-legume complementarity improves essential amino-acid coverage

Biological Target Matrix

Biological Target	Substance	Contribution Level	Therapeutic Areas	Mechanism of Action
Inflammation & Oxidative Stress	Copper	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Participates in redox enzymes and antioxidant networks
Inflammation & Oxidative Stress	Linoleic Acid (LA, n-6)	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Essential omega-6 fatty acid; precursor to arachidonic acid and eicosanoids; excessive n-6:n-3 ratios may skew toward pro-inflammatory eicosanoids
Inflammation & Oxidative Stress	Zinc	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Supports immune signaling; gut barrier integrity disrupted by nutrient deficiencies including zinc
Metabolic & Neuroendocrine Stress (HPA Axis & ANS)	Magnesium	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base	Helps manage stress responses; combined with vitamin D reduced behavioral problems; synergy with zinc and omega-3s reported
Methylation & One-Carbon Metabolism	Methionine	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease	Essential amino acid that forms S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), the universal methyl donor for neurotransmitter synthesis and membrane phospholipid methylation
Methylation & One-Carbon Metabolism	Vitamin B9 (Folate; 5-MTHF)	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease	Essential cofactor in remethylation of homocysteine to methionine, which is converted to S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe); SAMe fuels synthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin and drives phospholipid methylation in neuronal membranes
Methylation & One-Carbon Metabolism	Zinc	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease	Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals essential for methylation, such as folate, vitamin B12, and zinc, are correlated to ADHD symptoms; supplementing these micronutrients has shown potential in supporting methylation and reducing symptom severity
Mitochondrial Function & Bioenergetics	Magnesium	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, 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
Mitochondrial Function & Bioenergetics	Manganese	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Supports mitochondrial antioxidant defense through MnSOD activity
Mitochondrial Function & Bioenergetics	Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Essential for mitochondrial glucose metabolism in the brain leading to ATP production; supports PDH (pyruvate dehydrogenase) and α-KGDH (alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase) function
Mitochondrial Function & Bioenergetics	Vitamin B3 (Niacin; Niacinamide)	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Replenishes NAD+, supporting oxidative phosphorylation, sirtuin signaling, and mitochondrial biogenesis; key for neuronal energy metabolism
Neurotransmitter Regulation	Copper	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Cofactor in dopamine β-hydroxylase, supporting catecholamine synthesis; supports norepinephrine synthesis
Neurotransmitter Regulation	Magnesium	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, 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
Neurotransmitter Regulation	Phenylalanine	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Essential amino acid that converts to tyrosine and supports catecholamine synthesis (dopamine, norepinephrine); participates in LAT1 competition at the blood-brain barrier
Neurotransmitter Regulation	Tryptophan	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Precursor for serotonin and melatonin; brain entry competes at LAT1 with other large neutral amino acids (LNAAs); carbohydrate-rich, low-protein meals raise the plasma tryptophan:LNAA ratio because insulin pushes competing LNAAs out to muscles; can feed NAD+ synthesis via the kynurenine pathway
Neurotransmitter Regulation	Vitamin B9 (Folate; 5-MTHF)	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Supports neurotransmitter synthesis through methylation; cofactor for dopamine synthesis alongside iron, B6, and omega-3s
Neurotransmitter Regulation	Zinc	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Important for DNA synthesis, cell division, and neurotransmitter regulation, particularly in modulating dopamine—a key neurotransmitter implicated in ADHD; acts as an allosteric modulator of the GABA receptor; supports glutamate regulation

References

• Niacin (Vitamin B₃): Directly converted to NAD+ via salvage pathway; food sources include chicken, turkey, tuna, salmon, mushrooms, peanuts, whole grains Pirinen et al. 2020
• Niacin-rich foods (e.g., salmon, chicken breast, turkey, peanuts, and mushrooms) support NAD+ availability, glutathione synthesis, and mitochondrial health
• Polyphenols (e.g., resveratrol): Grapes, blueberries, cranberries, peanuts, dark chocolate; resveratrol activates SIRT1, enhancing NAD+-dependent processes
• Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN): Direct NAD⁺ intermediate in salvage pathway; food sources include edamame, broccoli, cucumber, avocado (peanuts also contain some)