Methionine is an essential sulfur-containing amino acid that must be obtained through dietary sources. Its critical biochemical roles include:
Supporting detoxification processes as a precursor for glutathione (master antioxidant) and SAMe (primary methyl donor)
Maintaining metabolic regulation through methylation reactions that govern gene expression, neurotransmitter synthesis, and lipid metabolism
Promoting protein stability via cysteine synthesis and disulfide bond formation in structural proteins
Facilitating vital syntheses of choline (cell membranes), taurine (bile acids), and sulfur-containing compounds
Primary dietary sources: Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, Brazil nuts, sesame seeds, and whole grains.
Low methionine levels may lead to impaired detoxification, disrupted methylation cycles, reduced antioxidant capacity, and potential lipid metabolism dysfunction.