The amount of methionine in your diet may affect how much of this process occurs, but there are many unanswered questions about this. SAM can change your DNA by adding a methyl group (a carbon atom and its attached hydrogen atoms) to it ( 3, 9). This is one of the most interesting roles of methionine - that it can convert into a molecule called SAM. While much of this information may stay the same for your whole life, environmental factors can actually change some aspects of your DNA. Your DNA contains the information that makes you who you are. These molecules are critical for the normal functions of the cells in your body. Methionine can convert into several sulfur-containing molecules with important functions, such as glutathione, taurine, SAM and creatine. Overall, methionine is directly or indirectly involved in many important processes in the body because of the molecules it can become. SAM is also used in the production of creatine, an important molecule for cellular energy ( 10, 11). SAM participates in many different chemical reactions by transferring part of itself to other molecules, including DNA and proteins ( 3, 9). One of the most important molecules methionine can be converted into is S-adenosylmethionine, or “SAM” ( 1). Taurine has many functions that help maintain the health and proper functioning of your cells ( 8). It also plays a role in the metabolism of nutrients in the body and the production of DNA and proteins ( 2). Glutathione is sometimes called the “master antioxidant” due to its critical role in the defenses of your body ( 2, 7). It is involved in the production of cysteine, the other sulfur-containing amino acid used to build proteins in the body ( 1, 6).Ĭysteine can, in turn, create a variety of molecules, including proteins, glutathione and taurine ( 1). One of the major roles of methionine in the body is that it can be used to produce other important molecules. It Can Produce Molecules Critical for Normal Cell Function It is also involved in starting protein production in your cells. It contains sulfur and can produce other sulfur-containing molecules in the body. Of the amino acids used to make proteins in the body, only methionine and cysteine contain sulfur.Īlthough your body can produce the amino acid cysteine on its own, methionine must come from your diet ( 4).Īdditionally, methionine plays a critical role in starting the process of making new proteins inside your cells, something that is continuously occurring as older proteins break down ( 1).įor example, this amino acid starts the process of producing new proteins in your muscles after an exercise session that damages them ( 1, 5). These important molecules must be made from amino acids that contain sulfur. Sulfur-containing molecules have a variety of functions, including the protection of your tissues, modifying your DNA and maintaining proper functioning of your cells ( 2, 3). One of these is its ability to be converted into important sulfur-containing molecules ( 1). In addition to being a building block for proteins, it has several other unique features. Methionine is an amino acid found in many proteins, including the proteins in foods and those found in the tissues and organs of your body.
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