Methionine

Methionine is a sulfur amino acid. It is an essential amino acid, as the body cannot synthesize it. It must therefore be gained through food consumption.

=Properties= -Synthesis of polyamines -Synthesis of molecules derived from the methyl group, such as choline, which helps the brain and manages the cholesterol in acetylcholine, melatonin, etc. -Lowers Histamine -A methyl group donor and therefore essential to methylation. phase 2 hepatic detoxification -dopamine, epinephrine, histamine and thiouracil (lung cancer)

=Excess= A type of Schizophrenia

=Deficiency= many depressive disorders

=Needs= 22mg/kg/day

=Complements= Vitamins B6, B9, B12 (prevention of homocysteine)

=Antagonists= None Known

=Precursor of:= -Cysteine -Betain -Choline -Creatine -Epinephrine -Nucleic Acids -Carnitine -Dimethylglycine -Melatonin -Vitamin B12 -Dopamine (catalysis of L-dopa) -SAMe

=Deficiency= Atherosclerosis

=Therapeutic Indications= -Heroin Addiction -Pancreatitis -Parkinson's -Atherosclerosis

=Contraindications= Histopenic Schizophrenia

=Food Sources= -Sunflower Seeds. -Eggs, meat, cheese, grain and poultry

=Therapeutic Dose= 800-1000mg./day

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//Medical Nutrition// -Sulpher containing essential amino acid -Bacteria in the gut can synthesize -It is heat sensitive -Methionine is converted to S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe)-which is the “activated” form of methionine -SAMe is an essential methyl donor which are used for a large number of reactions. It is attached to a sulpher group, which is very high energy

Functions: 1. Synthesis of brain chemicals 2. Detoxify liver thru methylation pathways and supporting glutathione 3. High histamine schizophrenia – with Ca, Zn, &Mn (Pfeiffer – Mental and Elemental nutrients 1975) 4. Parkinson’s 5. AIDS myelopathy Toxicity ? excess doses – 5-6 gm. Hypercalciuria – not proven long term safety

SAMe:
• 1. Breakdown estrogen, reducing b. ca inducing estrogen • 2. Carnitine synthesis (heart disease) • 3. Choline synthesis • 4. Creatine synthesis • 5. Epinephrine synthesis • 6. Melatonin • 7. Nucleic Acid synthesis • 8. Degradation of histamine • 9.Glutathione synthesis • 10. Antioxidant functions- especially • 11. Maintains cartilage

• RDA: 22mg/kg for children, 10mg/day/kg or 1.5gms/day for adults • WHO: 9gm/d • Homocysteine can be used instead of methionine • Avg. intake: 2.7-5g/d (Omnivores 4.3gm/d; lactoovo- vegetarians – 3.2gm/d; vegans 2.7gm/d) (P86) • Sources: tuna, eggs yolks, cheese • Deficient with overall protein malnutrition and B12/ folate and methionine cause SAMe deficiency, monkeys with def methionine developed premature ASD with B6 deficiency too. Deficiency cause folate deficiency-> homocysteine will increase.

Treatment: 1. Depression –400mg qid – increases NE, - better than MAO inhibiters and tricyclics Elavil and Tofranil/ postpartum depression is especially good and safe for the baby if nursing. • 2. Osteoarthritis 400mg tid more effective that NSAIDS with no side effects. • 3. Pain control • 4. Fibromyalgia- helps detox pathways • 5. Schizophrenia -SAMe increases dopamine in the brain (helps adjunctively L-dopa tx) • 6. Detoxification and allergies- withdrawal from barbiturates and amphetamines, protects against radiation, elevated liver enzymes due to ETOH, Gilbert’s syndrome, Gauchers, cholestasis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, liver toxins. SAMe increases glutathione. • 7. Wilson’s disease – lowers copper levels (with Zn) • 8. Parkinson’s –inc. dopamine • 9. Migraine headaches • 10. Acrodermatitis enteropathica- genetic Zn deficiency, atopic dermatitis- Methionine may aggravate

Toxicity:
rare- but can have nausea and GI irritation.- Careful with bi-polar disease (excess dopamine)- can provoke mania. ? Watch homocysteine levels