Proper Name: Methionine

Common Name: Methionine

Evidence of Efficacy: statement to the effect of Methionine deficiency or imbalance may play a role in the symptoms of mood disorders. Observational and experimental studies have shown an association between methionine and depression^1,2,3, premenstrual syndrome^4,5, and schizophrenia^6,7,8,9,10.                  

References:

1.Israelstam DM et al. Abnormal methionine metabolism in schizophrenic and depressive states. J Psychiatr Res 7(3):185-90, 1970.

2. Braverman ER. The Healing Nutrients Within. New Canaan, CT, Keats Publishing, 1987.

3. Murphy-Chutorian DR, Wexman MP, Grieco AJ, et al. Methionine intolerance: a possible risk factor for coronary artery disease. J Am Coll Cardiol 6(4):725-30, 1985.

4. Padova C et al. S-adenosyl-L-methionine antagonizes oral contraceptive-induced bile cholesterol supersaturation in healthy women: Preliminary report of a controlled randomized trial. Am J Gastroenterol 79:941-4, 1984.

5. Frezza M et al. Reversal of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in women after high dose S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SamE) administration. Hepatology 4:274-8, 1984.

6. Beaton JM. Methylation and schizophrenia. Ala J Med Sci 12(2):193-202, 1975; Israelstam DM, Sargent T, Finley NN, et al. Abnormal methionine metabolism in schizophrenic and depressive states. J Psychiatr Res 7(3):185-90, 1970.

7. Antun FTG, Burnett GB, Cooper AJ, et al. The effects of L-methionine (without MAOI) in schizophrenia. J Psychiatr Res 8(2):63-71, 1971; Beaton JM, Smythies JR, Bradley RJ. The behavioral effects of L-methionine and related compounds in rats and mice. Biol Psychiatry 10(1):45-52, 1975; Cohen SM, Nichols A, Wyatt R, et al. The administration of methionine to chronic schizophrenic patients: a review of ten studies. Biol Psychiatry 8:209-25, 1974.

8. Murphy-Chutorian DR, Wexman MP, Grieco AJ, et al. Methionine intolerance: a possible risk factor for coronary artery disease. J Am Coll Cardiol 6(4):725-30, 1985.

9. Braverman ER. The Healing Nutrients Within. New Canaan, Ct, Keats Publishing, 1987:110, 147.