Methionine is an essential amino acid. That means the body can not produce it by itself, so it needs to be fed through the daily diet. An adequate supply of the organism is of utmost importance, because this amino acid takes on a variety of important tasks in the human body. Among other things, methionine is involved in the production of proteins. It supports, for example, the formation of carnitine. It is a compound of the two amino acids methionine and lysine. Carnitine has a significant influence on the energy metabolism. But also hormones, such as adrenaline or melatonin, are formed by the presence of methionine. Melatonin is extremely important for the day-night rhythm and can be conducive to a restful sleep. As a precursor of the two amino acids cysteine and taurine, methionine is also very important for their synthesis. Another important property of methionine is its antioxidant effect. The amino acid enters into a chemical reaction with harmful substances from the environment, thereby attacking the body cells by these substances is no longer possible. In addition, methionine can make a valuable contribution to keeping hair and nails healthy and strong. With a daily intake of 2 - 3 g, the body can benefit from all these positive qualities. However, the need can be increased in people with certain diseases, even with excessive alcohol consumption or a lot of sports, a higher intake is required. This can most easily be done in the form of nutritional supplements. But almost all protein-containing foods contain methionine. In addition, chicken breast, beef, soybeans or Brazil nuts can be consumed. However, since methionine is quite soluble in water and sensitive to heat, it should be avoided to cook too long and intensively because this amino acid can be completely destroyed. If too little methionine is present in the body, it can lead to metabolic disorders or increased susceptibility to infections. The presence of methionine in the body is essential for numerous processes in the body, therefore, should be placed on an adequate intake of this amino acid value.
