
Methionine
Scientific names: L-2-amino-4-(methylthio)butyric acid
Alternative names: D-Methionine, DL-Methionine, DL Methionine, DL-Méthionine, L-Methionine, L-Méthionine, Méthionine, Metionina
Actions: Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antiviral, Endocrine, Hepatic, Hormonal, Nutrient
Background
Methionine is an essential amino acid found in meat, fish, and dairy products. Amino acids are the building blocks used to make proteins.
Methionine cannot be made by the body, so it must be consumed in the diet. It plays an important role in the many functions within the body. It may also act as an antioxidant and help to protect damaged tissues.
People use methionine for preventing birth defects. It is also used for liver disorders, viral infections, breast cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Methionine cannot be made by the body, so it must be consumed in the diet. It plays an important role in the many functions within the body. It may also act as an antioxidant and help to protect damaged tissues.
People use methionine for preventing birth defects. It is also used for liver disorders, viral infections, breast cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Methionine is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used as medicine under the supervision of a healthcare provider. But methionine is possibly unsafe when used for self-medication. Too much methionine can cause brain damage and death. Methionine can increase blood levels of homocysteine, a chemical that may cause heart disease, and might also promote the growth of some tumors.
Children: Methionine is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if methionine is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine without the care of a healthcare provider.
Acidosis: Methionine can cause changes in acidity of the blood and should not be used in people with a condition called acidosis.
"Hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis): People who have atherosclerosis should not take methionine. Methionine might make atherosclerosis worse.
Liver disease, including cirrhosis: People who have liver disease should not take methionine. Methionine might make liver disease worse.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency: People who have this disorder should not take methionine. Methionine might make this disorder worse.
Schizophrenia: Large doses of methionine might cause confusion, agitation, and other similar symptoms in people with schizophrenia.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Methionine is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if methionine is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.Children: Methionine is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if methionine is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine without the care of a healthcare provider.
Acidosis: Methionine can cause changes in acidity of the blood and should not be used in people with a condition called acidosis.
"Hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis): People who have atherosclerosis should not take methionine. Methionine might make atherosclerosis worse.
Liver disease, including cirrhosis: People who have liver disease should not take methionine. Methionine might make liver disease worse.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency: People who have this disorder should not take methionine. Methionine might make this disorder worse.
Schizophrenia: Large doses of methionine might cause confusion, agitation, and other similar symptoms in people with schizophrenia.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Birth defects of the brain and spine (neural tube birth defects). Eating more methionine during pregnancy seems to lower the risk of these birth defects.
Dosing & administration
Methionine is an essential amino acid found in meat, fish, and dairy products. It's recommended that adults consume 19 mg/kg in the diet daily. Recommended amounts for children depend on age.
As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of methionine might be. Speak with a healthcare provider before using.
As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of methionine might be. Speak with a healthcare provider before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Methionine interacts with any medicines. Before taking Methionine, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
View all productsPer 6 g:
- L-methionine 500 mg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 39 mg equiv. zinc 12.5 mg
- Cholecalciferol 25 μg equiv. vitamin D3 1000 IU
- Retinol acetate 828 μg equiv. vitamin A 700 μg RE
- Mecobalamin (Vitamin B12) 50 μg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 100 mg
- Calcium citrate 1.04 g equiv. calcium 250 mg
- Menaquinone 7 (Vitamin K2) 90 μg
- Potassium iodide 196.2 μg equiv. iodine 150 μg
- Selenomethionine 148.8 μg equiv. selenium 60 μg
- Chromium nicotinate 400.8 μg equiv. chromium 50 μg
- Molybdenum trioxide 67.5 μg equiv. molybdenum 45 μg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 10 mg equiv. thiamine 7.86 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 25 mg equiv. riboflavin 19.02 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 25 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 10 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 9.2 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 10 mg equiv. pyridoxine 6.4 mg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 890 μg equiv. levomefolic acid 500 μg
- Lysine hydrochloride 1000 mg equiv. lysine 800 mg
- L-leucine 500 mg
- L-isoleucine 250 mg
- L-valine 250 mg
- Taurine 500 mg
- Ubidecarenone (Coenzyme Q10) 60 mg
Practitioner product
Per 4 g:
- L-methionine 125 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. italica ext. 200 mg
- L-glutamine 750 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. italica ext. 150 mg
- Curcuma longa ext. 85 mg
- Taurine 500 mg
- Cysteine hydrochloride 181 mg equiv. cysteine 125 mg
- L-glycine 500 mg
- Choline bitartrate 250 mg
- Inositol 200 mg
- Potassium sulphate 150 mg equiv. potassium 67 mg
Practitioner product
Practitioner product
Per tablet:
- L-methionine 100 mg
- Curcumin (Turmeric) equiv. curcuminoids 9 mg
- Choline bitartrate 200 mg
- Inositol 150 mg
- Glutamine 100 mg
- Magnesium citrate 370.4 mg equiv. magnesium 60 mg
- Taurine 100 mg
- Potassium sulphate 60.2 mg equiv. potassium 27 mg
- L-glycine 100 mg
- Cysteine hydrochloride 65 mg equiv. cysteine 50 mg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 16 mg equiv. zinc 5 mg
- Selenomethionine 124 μg equiv. selenium 50 μg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 5.41 mg equiv. pyridoxine 3.45 mg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 50 μg equiv. folinic acid 46.3 μg
- Molybdenum trioxide 37.5 μg equiv. molybdenum 25 μg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 25 mg equiv. manganese 2.5 mg
- Mecobalamin (Vitamin B12) 50 μg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 5 mg equiv. riboflavin 3.8 mg
- Tocotrienols complex - palm (Vitamin E) 1 mg
Practitioner product
Per tablet:
- L-methionine 100 mg
- Bupleurum falcatum ext. 150 mg
- Berberis vulgaris ext. 100 mg
- Taraxacum officinale ext. 100 mg
- Choline bitartrate 167 mg equiv. choline 69 mg
- Inositol 100 mg
- Taurine 100 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 25 mg equiv. pyridoxine 20.57 mg
- Folic acid 200 μg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 200 μg
Practitioner product
Per tablet:
- L-methionine 100 mg
- L-glutamine 100 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 20 mg
- Selenomethionine 124 μg equiv. selenium 50 μg
- Zinc amino acid chelate 25 mg equiv. zinc 5 mg
- Silybum marianum ext. 85.7 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. italica ext. 75 mg
- Cysteine hydrochloride 29 mg equiv. cysteine 20 mg
- L-glycine 150 mg
- Taurine 200 mg
- Choline bitartrate 200 mg
- Inositol 100 mg
- L-ornithine monohydrochloride 10 mg equiv. ornithine 7.84 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 30 mg
- Molybdenum trioxide 60 μg equiv. molybdenum 40 μg
- Copper gluconate 42.86 μg equiv. copper 6 μg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P) 7.84 mg equiv. pyridoxine 5 mg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 69.44 μg equiv. folinic acid 50 μg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 50 μg
- Glutathione 20 mg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 250 μg equiv. manganese 25 μg
Practitioner product
Per capsule:
Practitioner product
Per tablet:
- L-methionine 15 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 2 mg
- Hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 100 µg
- Leonurus cardiaca ext. 50 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 10.9 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 10 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 3.1 mg equiv. pyridoxine 2 mg
- Cholecalciferol 2 µg equiv. vitamin D3 80 IU
- Choline bitartrate 60.8 mg equiv. choline 25 mg
- Magnesium glycinate dihydrate 213.7 mg equiv. magnesium 25 mg
- Copper (II) glycinate 1.67 mg equiv. copper 500 µg
- Taurine 50 mg
- L-ornithine monohydrochloride 19.1 mg equiv. ornithine 15 mg
- Lysine hydrochloride 18.75 mg equiv. lysine 15 mg
- Ubidecarenone (Coenzyme Q10) 25 mg
- Passiflora incarnata ext. 150 mg
- Schisandra chinensis ext. 25 mg
- Camellia sinensis ext. 25 mg
- Piper nigrum ext. 12 µg
- Biotin 100 µg
- Calcium glycinate 234.79 mg equiv. calcium 50 mg
Practitioner product
Practitioner product
Per 7 g (Lemonade):
- L-methionine
- Schisandra chinensis ext. equiv. dry 2.5 g
- L-leucine
- L-isoleucine
- L-threonine
- L-valine
- L-lysine
- L-phenylalanine
- L-histidine
- L-tryptophan
- Calcium citrate
- Magnesium bisglycinate
- Flavour
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Potassium citrate
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P)
- Methylcobalamin (Activated B12)
- Stevia rebaubiana
420 g Lemonade
RRP: $99.95$89.95Save: 10%
Create account
Per 12 g (Juicy Peach):
- Total Amino blend Amino9™ 2 g
- L-methionine
- L-leucine 2 g
- L-valine 1 g
- L-isoleucine 1 g
- L-histidine
- L-isoleucine
- L-leucine
- L-lysine
- L-phenylalanine
- L-threonine
- L-valine
- L-tryptophan
- L-glutamine 1 g
- Sodium chloride (Salt)
- Potassium chloride
- Calcium citrate
- Magnesium sulphate
- Ananas comosus (Bromelain) 25 mg
- Natural flavours
- Citric acid monohydrate
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Polyphenolic fulvic minerals 10 mg
- Tart cherry extract 250 mg
- Curcuma longa 50 mg
RRP: $69.99$61.59Save: 12%
Create account
Per 30 g (Passionfruit):
- L-methionine
- Hydrolysed pea protein
- L-alanine
- Glycine
- L-valine
- L-leucine
- L-isoleucine
- L-proline
- L-phenylalanine
- L-tyrosine
- L-serine
- L-threonine
- L-arginine
- L-histidine
- L-lysine
- L-aspartic acid
- L-glutamic acid
- L-tryptophan
- L-cysteine
- Natural flavours
- Cichorium intybus (root) (Chicory)
- Acacia sp. (gum)
- Coconut water powder
- Medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
- Potassium citrate
- Magnesium citrate
- Sodium chloride (Salt)
- Calcium citrate
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Thaumatin
- Beta-carotene
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
RRP: $59.95$53.96Save: 10%
Create account
Per 25 g serve (Rich Chocolate):
938 g Rich Chocolate
RRP: $89.95$80.95Save: 10%
Create account
Per 30 g serve (Natural Chocolate):
- Organic Pea Protein
- Vicia faba (Fava bean protein)
- Coconut medium-chain triglyceride (Coconut MCT)
- Rice Peptides
- Organic Coconut Milk Powder
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Natural caramel flavour
- Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Guar gum)
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Luo Han Guo (fruit) ext. (Monk fruit)
- Organic Alkalised Cocoa Powder
- Natural chocolate flavour
$84.95
Create account
Per 30 g (Cacao):
- Pea protein isolate 25.2 g
- Dunaliella salina equiv. beta-carotene 390 µg
- Aloe barbadensis 1 g
- Malpighia glabra equiv. vitamin C 50 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 2.5 mg
- Natural chocolate flavour
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Thaumatin
- Luo Han Guo (fruit) ext. (Monk fruit)
RRP: $56.51$48.03Save: 15%
Create account
Per 30 g (Vanilla Bean):
- Whey protein isolate 29.94 g
- Sunflower lecithin
- Natural flavours
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Vanilla planifolia (Vanilla bean)
- Bacillus coagulans (MTCC 5260)
- Protease
- Amylase enzyme
- Cellulase
- Lactase
- Lipase
RRP: $109.95$90.71Save: 17%
Create account
Per 30 g (Chocolate):
- Whey protein concentrate
- Whey protein isolate
- Natural flavours
- Sunflower lecithin
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Theobroma cacao powder
- Bacillus coagulans
- Protease
- Amylase enzyme
- Cellulase
- Lactase
- Lipase
RRP: $53.96$44.52Save: 17%
Create account
RRP: $69.95$57.71Save: 17%
Create account
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 07/04/2025 10:00:00 and last updated on 12/09/2022 02:49:16. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.





















