Posted on November 7, 2016
S-Adenosylmethionine is a common co-substrate involved in methyl group transfers. Although these anabolic (the synthesis in living organisms of more complex substances from simpler ones) reactions occur throughout the body, most SAM-e is produced and consumed in the liver.
SAMe is found in all living cells. It is a naturally occurring molecule produced by a reaction of the amino acid methionine with adenosine triphosphate. SAMe acts as a substrate in many biological reactions and is the precursor of certain essential amino acids. It is involved in the formation, activation, or breakdown of other chemicals in the body, including hormones, proteins, phospholipids, and certain drugs.
SAMe is not a botanical, but a supplement or biochemical compound commercially produced in yeast cell cultures.
General uses By Mouth; SAMe has been studied for the treatment of depressive disorders, osteoarthritis, liver disorders, anxiety, heart disease, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, slows the aging process, chronic fatigue syndrome, improving mental performance, migraine headache, lead poisoning (not by itself).
What is the recommended dosage? (Online!)
Depression: 200 mg to 1,600 mg/day. Liver disease: 800 to 1,000 mg/day. Osteoarthritis: 1,200 mg/day initially, then maintenance 400 mg/day.
Contraindications SAMe should not be used in patients with bipolar depression because of reports of increased anxiety and mania.
Pregnancy/nursing Trials conducted in pregnant women documented no harmful effects.
Interactions None well documented.
Side Effects Available data indicate nausea, diarrhea, constipation, mild insomnia, dizziness, and sweating to be the most commonly reported adverse reactions of SAMe. Data from long-term use of SAMe are lacking.
Note: this sounds like the silver bullet that will cure your ills right? All the conditions listed here don’t occur just because you are not taking SAMe. There are other factors involved that also need to be addressed. Bottom line, don’t treat your symptoms, search for the underlying problem. Otherwise you are just suppressing symptoms, and allowing the real problem to become even more destructive.