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Methionine belongs to the so-called exogenous amino acids, i.e. essential for humans, which must be supplied with food because they cannot be synthesized in the human body. Me-thionine is one of the most important compounds that make up the human body, because it is responsible, inter alia, for the regulation of metabolic processes.
What is methionine and what is it responsible for?
Methionine it is an organic chemical compound which, as already mentioned, cannot be produced in the human body and therefore must be supplied through food. In addition to cysteine, it is the only amino acid that contains sulfur and supplies the body with sulfur groups. Methionine takes an active part in practically all metabolic processes in the human body. It also participates in methylation, which is responsible for many processes related to the development of the body, such as the proper growth of tissues and the formation of immune cells. Thanks methionine it is possible to make an essential antioxidant called glutathione. Its task is to excrete nitrogen compounds and halogenated toxins from the body. Since it is a powerful antioxidant, it also neutralizes the negative effects of free radicals and pesticides.
It should be remembered that the metabolism is normal methionine depends on the appropriate amount of vitamin B6, while vitamin C is needed for the synthesis of glutathione. Methionine is involved in over 100 metabolic processes and in the process of protein formation. Thanks to it, our body can produce many substances, such as creatine or epinephrine. Methionine it is also important for the elderly, because together with cysteine they prevent chronic arthritis. They provide the body with sulfur compounds, which are very important in the case of joint diseases, because they strengthen and rebuild the articular cartilage and soothe rheumatic pains and inflammations. Adequate consumption methionine it also increases the pH value of urine and bile. This is very important as it prevents the formation of urinary and gall stones.
Sources of methionine occurrence
Large amounts methionine can be found in many foods, most notably in products protein, i.e. meat, fish, eggs, Parmesan cheese. Besides the source methionine There are also flax seeds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, sesame seeds (at Medonet Market you can order freshly packaged foods by weight, including white sesame and black sesame) and various grain products. Another source methionine there are vegetables: Brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach, peas and beans. Currently, this amino acid is widely available in virtually every pharmacy as an ingredient of many dietary supplements. We recommend, for example, EAA OstroVit powder – a supplement for physically active people.
What can cause a deficiency as well as an excess of methionine?
According to scientists methionine deficiency may affect the development of atherosclerosis, because without it lipids are more prone to peroxidation (self-oxidation). An amino acid deficiency can also weaken the hair structure or overall immunity of the body, and lead to anemia, liver disease, and even growth retention or slowdown in children.
Excess methionine in the human body is usually caused by too much supplementation. The effects excess methionine they may be: headache, nausea and vomiting, constipation, drowsiness, acidification of the body, changes in the pH of the blood serum and increased excretion of calcium in the urine.
Specify the level of incl. methionine in your body by performing a Shipment Study of the 26 amino acid profile. The level of homocysteine also depends on methionine, so it is worth carrying out a Shipping homocysteine concentration test if the methionine concentration is inadequate.