Many people wonder which foods are richest in methionine and which are not. Here we explain what they are and the importance of not consuming it in excess.
Methionine, an essential sulfur-containing amino acid, is important for many bodily functions, including proper nerve function, immune cell production, the formation of healthy collagen used to form nails, skin, and connective tissue, and helps reduce the level of inflammatory histamines (organic nitrogenous compounds) in the body.
Additionally, this amino acid has antioxidant properties and can protect the body from toxic compounds and free radicals.
Here is a list of the 11 foods richest in methionine
Foods richest in methionine
#1 Brazil Nuts (1100mg/100g) Also known as cream and Para nuts, these nuts are a significant source of non-animal protein and are rich in selenium. A 1-ounce serving of Brazil nuts has 186 calories and 19 grams of total fat per serving.
In addition, Brazil nuts have been found to contain high amounts of aflatoxins (mycotoxins), which are carcinogenic, therefore the European Union has placed strict import restrictions on Brazil nuts.
#2 Fish, halibut, cooked, skin on (Alaska Native) (1000mg/100g) 100 grams of Fish, halibut, cooked, with skin on contain no carbohydrates, are fiber-free, 86 milligrams of sodium, 22.13 grams of protein, and 72.82 grams of water. Additionally, fish may contain environmental contaminants that they pick up from the water or sediments in which they live or the food they eat.
#3 Sesame Seeds (700mg/100g) Sesame seeds may be the oldest seasoning known to man. They help reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) levels because these seeds contain phytosterols that block cholesterol production.
Black sesame seeds are particularly high in phytosterols. Additionally, sesame seeds are especially high in manganese, copper, calcium, and magnesium.
#4 Raw Salmon (626mg/100g) Studies generally praise the health benefits of salmon. But that’s only because salmon is slightly healthier than other animal foods, such as red meat.
Yet when research compares salmon to truly healthy foods, like plant-based protein, which is LDL-free, salmon comes up as short as a ship’s flag at half mast.
#5 Cheese (600mg/100g) Cheese and Dairy Products Cheese is a fermented food made from milk, commonly obtained from goats, cows, or sheep.
One study looked at diets high in animal protein, including cheese, and found that consuming a diet high in cheese and meat during middle age can double your risk of death and quadruple your risk of death from cancer.
#6 Beef (554mg/100g) Consuming beef products, which are loaded with saturated fat and artery-clogging cholesterol, is a perfect way to increase your waistline and your chances of developing impotence and diseases like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis and asthma. Learn more
#7 Chicken Breast Fillet (552mg/100g) Conventionally raised chickens are usually treated with antibiotics to combat the effects of crowded living conditions and make them grow faster. Chicken breast contains approximately 2.3 g of saturated fat, 0.091 g of trans fat, and 56 mg of cholesterol.
Saturated fats and trans fats can increase blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, while excess cholesterol can lead to arterial plaque buildup.
#8 Dehydrated Soybeans (547mg/100g) Soybeans have long been recognized as a plant food that, compared to other plants, is relatively high in protein.
For example, experimental studies have shown that soy protein isolates tend to lower LDL cholesterol levels, while animal proteins can raise cholesterol levels.
#9 Sunflower Seed Butter (500mg/100g) Made from kernels of sunflower seeds, this butter is mostly sold in health food stores or other health-oriented places.
Also, the water soluble B vitamins and vitamin C along with the fat soluble vitamins A, D, and E are found in sunflower seeds along with vitamin K.
#10 Whole Egg, Boiled, Hard (400mg/100g) Daily consumption of eggs adds an excessive amount of bad cholesterol to your diet. Also, eating eggs greatly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
For example, one study established that eating 3 to 5 eggs per week doubled the chances of becoming diabetic, and those who ate 5 or more eggs per week had 3 times the risk of this deadly disease.
#11 Oats (200mg/100g) Oats are among the healthiest grains on Earth. The US Food and Drug Administration states that oats, as part of an overall heart-healthy diet, might reduce the risk of heart disease.
Two studies from Scandinavia concluded that adding oats to a gluten-free diet can improve the nutritional values of diets, especially for minerals and vitamins, as well as increase antioxidant levels.
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Excessive intake of methionine side effects
While the human body needs this essential amino acid to function properly, consuming too much can be dangerous to your health. Excess consumption of methionine is very common in the standard American diet, but not in a vegan diet.
A diet low in methionine may extend lifespan and reduce the risk of cancer. Recent tumors taken from individuals show that many cancers appear to have a biochemical defect that makes them dependent on this amino acid, including some breast, colon, prostate, ovarian, and skin tumors.
Other possible side effects of methionine may include nausea, drowsiness, vomiting, increased blood levels of homocysteine (a homologue of the amino acid cysteine), which may increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Since this amino acid is found mainly in food, a good strategy may be to reduce methionine levels by reducing methionine consumption, completely eliminating methionine-rich foods to control cancer growth and improve our life expectancy.
Low methionine foods and broccoli Eating foods low in methionine, such as fruits, green leafy vegetables, grains, and beans, is the best option. This diet helped extend the lifespan of rodent test subjects, according to a study published in a 2009 issue of «Medical Hypotheses.»
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Methionine Health Benefits and Side Effects
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