Hello! My name is Susan Marie Fluegel, I am a nutritional biochemist and the nutritional formulator behind Tally Kids. I wrote this for you, the parent, to outline step by step the research & thought process behind the vitamin package inside Tally Kids. This article is fully referenced.

With Tally Kids, our goal was clear. To design a nutritious plant-based milk for children that parents can trust. We have accomplished that with this formula and vitamin package. 

I am thankful to Jon & Kyle for building this product following my exact recommendations.

For questions and comments, I can be reached through our company mailbox, info@drinktally.com 

• All eight B-vitamins plus vitamin C, iron and magnesium work together to support energy metabolism and growth. The B-complex as a group is essential for optimal physiological and neurological (brain) functioning. (Kennedy et al. 2016, Ali et al. 2022)
• In Kids (8-11 years old) increased intake of B-vitamins was associated with improved cognitive performance. (Raine et al. 2021)
• Children with autism spectrum disorder have been shown to have inadequate levels of B-vitamins and choline and may need additional supplementation of these nutrients. (Jennings and Basiri 2022, Ali et al. 2022).
• Low intake of B-vitamins has been associated with poor mental health and behavioral problems in teenagers. (Herbison et al. 2012)
• Consuming adequate amounts of B-vitamins, vitamin C, iron, magnesium and zinc helps to maintain normal brain function while contributing to well-being by reducing perceived mental and physical fatigue and favoring a positive mood. (Tardy et al. 2020)

Several nutrients, including B2, B6, folate, B12, choline, magnesium, zinc and vitamin D are involved in an epigenetic process called methylation. 

In methylation a methyl group (CH3) is added to DNA which influences gene expression (the ability of the gene to code for proteins). Methylation can turn genes on or off or modify what proteins the genes create. (Amenyah et al. 2020)

Methylation is used to:

1) Create phosphatidylcholine; an important neurotransmitter that plays a role in memory and supports metabolic health.

2) Synthesize and modify proteins. Protein methylation helps regulate different cellular and biological processes.

3) Make methyl groups (CH3) which attach to DNA to help modify genes. Proper methylation of genes protects your children from future diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, metabolic disorders, and neurological disorders (Jin and Liu 2018)

• Dynamic Group: Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin K and vitamin D are essential for bone development and energy metabolism. These nutrients work together to support cardiac, respiratory, and neurological performance. (Tsugawa and Shiraki 2020, Escobedo-Monge et al. 2022)
• Dynamic Group: Calcium, potassium, phosphate, magnesium and sodium are essential electrolytes for nerve and muscle health. Electrolytes regulate nerve and muscle function, regulate hydration and balance blood acidity. Whenever kids become dehydrated due to activity or illness, they need to replace these electrolytes. 
• Dynamic Group: Magnesium, zinc, iron, vitamin A, folate and alpha linolenic acid (ALA) are important for optimal functioning of the immune system (Wessels et al. 2017, Venter et al. 2020, Luan et al. 2022, Weyh et al. 2022). These nutrients help the innate and the adaptive immune system defenses fight against pathogens as well as regulate inflammation.
• Dynamic Group: Vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, selenium and zinc work as antioxidants (Jayedi et al. 2018, Luan et al. 2022). They help stabilize free radicals and prevent oxidative stress. Oxidative stress contributes to inflammation and chronic diseases.

• Consuming α-linolenic acid oil (ALA) increases brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) levels in adults (Hadjighassem et al. 2015). BDNF promotes the growth and survival of new brain cells and helps with learning and memory. ALA plays a vital role in children’s growth and development (Yang and Huffman 2013). The FDA recommends children and infants get 0.5-0.9 g/ALA/day.
• Supplementing an infant’s or young child’s diet with Choline supports normal brain development, protects the brain against adverse neural and metabolic conditions and improves nervous system and cognitive functioning (Derbyshire and Obeid 2020).
• Children (4-7 years old) who were picky eaters, had poor development levels or low physical activity level had a higher incidence of Zinc deficiency (Chao et al 2021).
• Moderate Iodine deficiency in children (9-10 years old with suspected attention deficient disorder) was associated with hyperactivity, as well as problems with comprehension, learning, perception and attention (Kanık Yüksek et al. 2016).
• Vitamin K deficiency was common in children with inflammatory bowel disorders; 44% of kids with ulcerative colitis and 54% of kids with Crohn's disease, had a vitamin K deficiency (Nowak et al. 2014).
• Vitamin C is vital for making collagen, carnitine, and neuropeptides; wound healing; and regulation of gene expression (Cimmino et al. 2018).
• Magnesium helps people calm down by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. This is the system responsible for reducing stress while helping you relax (Pickering et al. 2020). Magnesium is a signaling molecule that regulates the heart, neurons and blood pressure. It is involved in over 800 enzymes, many which are involved in energy (ATP) production (Fiorentini et al. 2021, Mathew and Panonnummal 2021).
• Furthermore, a higher intake of Magnesium was associated with less externalizing behaviors; such as physical aggression, verbal bullying, relational aggression, defiance, theft, and vandalism; in teenagers (14-17 years old) (Black et al. 2015).

Cheers, 
Susan