2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Methionine is an essential / essential / amino acid. It is not yet so well known, but on the other hand it is an extremely powerful antioxidant and an enemy of many diseases.
Along with cysteine, methionine is one of the two proteinogenic amino acids whose chemical structure in the molecule contains sulfur.
Methionine is involved in a number of enzymes and proteins, as well as in the synthesis of DNA and RNA, which makes it vital for cell renewal.
Benefits of methionine
Methionine prevents fatty degeneration and other liver damage, thus protecting the brain, heart and kidneys from obstructed blood circulation. Therefore, methionine is thought to have antisclerotic activity.
According to recent research, this amino acid reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer. The synthesis of two other amino acids, cysteine and taurine, also depends on the presence of methionine in the body.
It supports the processes in the digestive system, has a detoxifying effect on damaging agents such as lead and various heavy metals.
The amino acid methionine reduces muscle weakness and brittle hair, has a beneficial effect on people with allergies to chemicals and those with osteoporosis. It is used to treat rheumatism and toxemia during pregnancy.
As mentioned, methionine is a very powerful antioxidant. This makes it an important factor in the prevention of various tumors. It is an excellent source of sulfur, which inactivates harmful free radicals, protects against skin and osteolysis changes, resulting in the destruction of bone tissue without subsequent replacement by other tissue.
Methionine is needed for people with abnormal liver function and is required in the synthesis of collagen, proteins and nucleic acid.
Methionine has a beneficial effect on women taking oral contraceptives because it enhances estrogen production. At the same time, it lowers the amount of histamine in the body. This is especially helpful for people with schizophrenia.
As the levels of toxic substances in the body increase, the need for methionine also increases. In the body, it can be converted to the amino acid cysteine, which is a precursor to glutathione.
Glutathione is a major neutralizer of toxins in the liver, which makes it clear that methionine manages to protect this important organ from the damaging effects of toxic substances.
Sources of methionine
Methionine is an essential amino acid and as such, it is not synthesized in the body, but is obtained from food sources. Highest levels of methionine available in fish, dairy products, meat, nuts, beans, lentils, garlic.
In most vegetables and fruits, the content of methionine is minimal. Those of them that have a higher amount of methionine are peas, spinach and boiled corn.
Because the body uses methionine to produce choline (food for the brain), it is good to take choline or lecithin so as not to reduce the body's supply of methionine.
Methionine intake
The recommended daily dose for methionine is 12 mg for body weight. This dose applies to methionine supplements.
Methionine deficiency
The results of a number of studies show that the lack of methionine in the body leads to the accumulation of cholesterol, hair loss and atherosclerosis.
Harm from methionine
Methionine should be avoided by pregnant or breastfeeding women unless prescribed by a doctor. Improper conversion of methionine, on the other hand, can be dangerous and even cause atherosclerosis.
Care should also be taken with daily doses methioninebecause when it is too much, the body converts part of it into homocysteine, which is especially dangerous for people suffering from cardiovascular disease.
