S-Adenosylmethionine
S-adenosylmethionine, or SAMe, is a compound that is present naturally in the body, and has a hand in many different body processes. It is important for the health of the body, including the immune system, aids the production and break down of brain chemicals, like melatonin, serotonin, and dopamine, and maintains the body’s cell membranes. It also works in conjunction with vitamin B12 or folate. If there is not enough B12 or folate in the body, then there may be a deficit of s-adenosylmethionine.
On the medical side, it has been shown through scientific studies, that s-adenosylmethionine has been shown to relive the pain of osteoarthritis, and may also relieve depression. Further health studies suggest that it may also help with fibromyalgia and diseases of the liver. The studies that were done early were given either as an IV or as injection. Now, studies are being done with the medication being taken orally.
SAMe is said to be of greater effectiveness than placebo for treating depression that is mild to moderate. It has also been shown to be as effective as medications for treating depression, and there are no side effects, like sexual dysfunction, sleeplessness, or headaches. Also, it works much quicker than antidepressants do, since they take about 6-8 weeks to begin working. SAMe begins to work much faster. Although there is no definitive answer as to why it works the way it does for depression, it is believed to raise the amount of serotonin that is found in the brain, as many antidepressants do.
However, some of the studies that have been done with s-adenosylmethionine for health reasons like depression, have used the form of the drug that is injectable, and not the type that is taken by mouth. One study said there was no benefit. Greater research will be required to determine whether or not it should be used for depression. Your doctor is the one that should advise you if talking s-adenosylmethionine is right for you, since depression is a very serious illness.
There have been several trials that show that s-adenosylmethionine might lower the amount of pain and swelling in joints, and researchers are also saying that it may help repair cartilage, even though the reasons behind it are not known. In short term studies (4-12 weeks), it was shown that supplementing with SAMe, was as effective as using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like naproxen and ibuprofen, in adults that were suffering from osteoarthritis in the hips, knees, or spine. It worked as well as these medications to reduce swelling and pain, morning stiffness, give greater range of motion, and faster speed when walking. There was a different study done that compared SAMe with Celebrex, and discovered that when time went by, it was proved to be just as effective at pain relief.
The medical condition Fibromyalgia, has also been shown to be relived through the use of SAMe. Pain, morning stiffness, fatigue, and depressed mood were relived, even though the majority of these studies used SAMe that was injectable. Some people found relief through the oral use of this product, and others did not.
Since people that suffer from liver disease cannot synthesize SAMe properly, there are some early studies that suggest that by taking SAMe, it may heap to treat liver problems that have been caused by alcoholism or medications. A study was done that involved 123 men and women with liver cirrhosis caused by alcoholism, and it discovered that for two years on treatment with SAMe, it might improve the chance for survival, and delay the need for a transplant greater than placebo does. There have been various other medical studies that have shown it may normalize the liver enzymes for people that suffer from diseases of the liver. The studies have all been short and of a small duration, so longer tests will have to be performed before these findings can be confirmed.
You cannot find s-adenosylmethionine in food, it is only made in the body from ATP and the amino acid methionine. ATP is the chief energy source for cells all over the body.
You can get SAMe is tablet form. The best are enteric-coated tablets, which have greater stability, and can be more dependable in regards to the level of s-adenosylmethionine that is found in the pill.
