Methionine

What it Does, How to Get It

Methionine is one of the potential glutathione precursors. Methionine and cysteine are sulfur containing proteinogenic amino acids and powerful antioxidants. They help prevent skin and nail problems.

It also works as a histamine inhibitor which could be beneficial for those suffering from schizophrenia as their histamine levels are usually higher than normal.

It is an essential amino acid (which means it cannot be manufactured in the body). It needs to be a part of our diet. It helps with the breakdown of fats. It helps to prevent a buildup of fat in the liver and arteries.

It also helps in another way. It helps detoxify heavy metal toxins such as lead, helps diminish muscle weakness, prevents brittle hair, and protects against radiation.

If it does not convert properly it will become transformed into homocysteine which can lead to other health problems.

Elevated Homocysteine Levels have been associated with increase thrombosis (blood clots in the veins) and cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis). It is considered corrosive of collagen, and elastin.

There are reported to be increased number of fractures among elderly who have elevated homocysteine levels. This is possibly related to how it interferes with collagen cross linking and not bone density.

Attempts to reduce levels in the elderly are only used as a preventative and not necessarily a curative measure.

Methonine levels are low with liver disease.

Methonine is turned into food for the brain. It becomes choline. To prevent depletion, lecithin which is loaded with choline, is an excellent dietary supplement.

Once in the body it can also be turned into cysteine and then into glutathione but the process is quite complex.

Lysine and methonine are included as part of animal feeds. The methonine is chemically produced in this application. Thus it enters our food chain. To avoid the potential of it being in your food chain requires becoming an educated consumer.

It is best if your food comes from animals that are strict vegetarians. Meat you eat does not need to be certified organic. It could be safe if the meat is from animals that are only range fed and not given food additives.

You may hear of s-adenosyl methionine. It is a form of methionine that is already partially converted to cysteine. Also known as SAM, it can have undesirable side effects.

Food Sources

It is available in sesame seeds, Brazil nuts, beans, lentils, onions, soybeans, garlic, fish and meats. Vegetables have smaller amounts with peppers and spinach being the best sources.

B12 is the cofactor.

It is available from health food stores. However it can be toxic above certain levels. It is probably best derived from food sources and not supplementation for this reason.

Melatonin is another brain food you might be interested in. When your done checking out this glutathione booster, you will be touting as I do, that life and especially a good night’s sleep can indeed be a bowl of cherries.

Glutamine is another important part of the intercellular glutathione production. Do you know which foods are rich with it?

Silymarin (Milk Thistle) also has notable glutathione producing properties, protects and stimulates liver cell production.

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