Methionine

Methionine is a sulfur containing essential amino acid and was first isolated in 1922 from casein and belongs to a group of compounds called lipotropics – the others in this group include choline, inositol, and betaine. It is important in the process of methylation where methyl is added to compounds as well as being a precursor to the amino acids cystine and cysteine.

What it is

Methionine is a sulfur containing amino acid, required for protein synthesis and other vital metabolic processes. It can be obtained through the diet in protein or synthesized from homocysteine.

What it does

Methionine is a powerful anti-oxidant and a good source of sulfur, which prevents disorders of the hair, skin, and nails. It assists the breakdown of fats, thus helping to prevent a buildup of fat in the liver and arteries, that might obstruct blood flow to the brain, heart, and kidneys.

Methionine helps to detoxify harmful agents such as lead and other heavy metals. It helps diminish muscle weakness; prevents brittle hair; protects against the affects of radiation. It is beneficial for women who take oral contraceptives because it promotes the excretion of estrogen. It reduces the level of histamine in the body which can cause the brain to relay wrong messages. Methionine can be helpful to individuals suffering from schizophrenia.

Benefits

• Treatment of endometriosis
• Breakdown of fats
• Reduces build-up of fat in the arteries
• Assist digestive system
• Antioxidant properties
• Depression
• Maintains healthy skin, hair and nails
• Increases bile flow
• Helps to relieve the bleeding, cramps, pain and other complications of endometriosis

Dosage

The daily dosage of methionine is about 12 mg per kilogram of bodyweight per day – which would translate to about 840 mg for a 70 kg male.