SAMe for Depression...and Arthritis and Liver Support
You have heard about SAMe in the media, the new natural antidepressant...
and more. We'll tell you what it is, how it works, and where to
get it.
You already know about St. John's Wort. In fact, you may even
be taking it. So, where does SAMe fit in? I actually wrote about
it in the book St John's Wort: Nature's
Blues Buster, when it was not yet available in the US. Now
SAMe is available, and it happens to be an excellent natural antidepressant.
What is SAMe?
SAMe, or s-adenosyl-methionine is a naturally occurring substance
in the body, with the following uses:
- It is used in the production of the feel-good neurotransmitters,
the chemical messengers in the brain that mediate our mood. These
include dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.
- It helps the liver in breaking down toxins and recycle hormones,
through the production of the essential intracellular antioxidant,
glutathione.
- It reduces the pain, stiffness, and inflammation associated
with degenerative joint problems, i.e. arthritis.
How can one product be so versatile?
SAMe is a methyl donor, and provides an essential portion of
the molecule used in producing each of the above-mentioned biochemical
processes.
Antidepressant effect:
- Over 100 placebo-controlled, double-blind studies show SAMe
to be equal or superior to prescription antidepressants. According
to one meta-analysis, or overview, of these studies, 92% of patients
responded to SAMe, compared to 85% response to the medications.
- While some of these can cause liver damage, SAMe has been shown
in numerous studies to actually be liver-protective.
- It acts more rapidly, most often within a few days.
- It has no significant side effects.
- SAMe has no withdrawal reaction, commonly found with antidepressants.
Arthritis, Fibromyalgia:
- Numerous clinical studies have shown that SAMe can reduce pain,
stiffness, and inflammation associated with degenerative joint
problems.
- When compared to the common anti-inflammatory medications,
Naproxen and Ibuprofen, SAMe did an equally effective job in
reducing pain and inflammation over a three month period, and
without the gastrointestinal damage caused by these drugs.
- Clinical studies show SAMe works well in countering the fatigue,
inflammation and pain associated with fibromyalgia, a puzzling
and hard to treat condition.
Support of Liver Function:
- SAMe aids the liver in neutralizing toxins, free radicals and
carcinogens. Because of SAMe's effects on the liver, it enhances
the elimination of various drugs from the body.
- SAMe has also been shown to protect the liver and body from
the effects of excess and unbalanced estrogen levels, seen in
some estrogen replacement therapy, oral contraceptive use, and
premenstrual syndrome.
Safety:
- In general, the longer SAMe is used, the more beneficial the
results.
- It can be used safely during pregnancy and nursing.
- There are no reported negative interactions with other medications
or nutritional supplements.
- SAMe's antidepressant activity may lead to the manic phase
in individuals with bipolar (manic) depression.
- Though not reported in the literature, higher doses may lead
to anxiety even in non-bipolar individuals, and if such should
be lowered and/or discontinued.
How to Take SAMe
Cofactors: To avoid conversion of SAMe into high levels of
homocysteine, known for its increasing the risk of cardiovascular
disease, you should also be taking the cofactors, vitamin B6 (50
mg), vitamin B12 (1000 mcg), and folic acid (800 mcg), to enhance
production of the SAMe precursor, methionine. This is most easily
taken as part of a multivitamin, preferably with food, and not
necessarily along with the SAMe dose.
Dosage: SAMe should be taken on an empty stomach, preferably 1
hour away from food, starting at a dosage of 200 mg once or twice
daily. If results aren't seen in a few days, the dose can be increased
again, up to 800 mg daily if needed. Most often, 400 mg per day
is sufficient. Since SAMe is unstable at higher temperatures, it
should be kept refrigerated whenever possible. Enteric coated tablets
have generally been used to ensure stability.
Note: This information is not intended to
treat, diagnose or cure any disease and this information has not
been reviewed or approved by the FDA.
If you do try it, I would appreciate your feedback.
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