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SAMe |
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| S-adenosylmethionine/sam-e | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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capsule/tablet |
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SAMe ("Sammy") is a natural substance naturally found in the cells of your body. There is some impressive research showing it helps depression and osteoarthritis. SAMe can activate chemical reactions in the body, among other things, it contributes to the way the brain uses neurotransmitters to influence mood. There are different theories on how it works to alleviate depression. One is that it increases the cellular levels of phosphatidylserine (found in brain cells). It improves cell-to-cell communication, allowing efficient passage of nutrients. Phosphatidylserine has been shown to help relive depression. The other thing SAMe accomplishes is the increase of the concentration of the neurotransmitters responsible for controlling mood such as norepinephrine, dopamine & serotonin. Researchers believe that, at the same time, SAMe improves the way your brain cells receive these important neurotransmitters. Several studies have shown that people with severe depression have markedly low levels of SAMe. When the published clinical studies published from 1973-1992 were analyzed, 38 studies showed the effectiveness of SAMe1. Shown to be as effective as the class of drugs known as tricyclic antidepressants, but with no side-effects. As a matter of fact, people taking a placebo had more side effects during some studies. A study at the University of California Irvine Medical Center compared the effectiveness of SAMe with the antidepressant desipiramine. This double-blind study found that 62% of the people taking SAMe and 52% of those taking the drug improved significantly. Given all the potential side effects of antidepressant drugs, it makes sense that natural compounds such as SAMe and St. John's Wort be used as a first line of treatment. SAMe works at a much deeper level than drug therapy. With the methyl-donor mechanism, it opens the door to more biochemical reactions. Drugs, by contrast, force a chemical change. SAMe has been used by psychiatrists in conjunction with pharmaceutical antidepressants. Many drugs take a month to have an effect, while SAMe can help in days. However, if you are on medications (especially MAO's), be sure to consult with your practitioner before starting SAMe. SAMe is known as a "chondroprotective agent," meaning that it prevents damage & degeneration of cartilage (proteoglycans). Similar to glucosamine sulfate, it has been shown to increase cartilage production, which is critical in counteracting the effects of osteoarthritis. In the largest study on SAMe & osteoarthritis, researchers followed the progress of 20,641 people who took SAMe for 8 weeks2. Patients took 400mg 3 times daily for the first week, twice daily for the next week and 200mg twice daily for the remainder of the study. 71% of SAMe users, reported "good" or "very good" benefits, while only 9% reported poor outcomes. In general, it is as effective in relieving pain, stiffness & other symptoms common to arthritis, with an important advantage--no side effects. With NSAIDs3 (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications i.e. "Advil" or ibuprofen) you can get internal bleeding, liver damage & kidney problems. Also with conventional medications i.e. NSAID's, aspirin or steroids, there's a good chance you actually speed up the destruction of cartilage even though you may be relieving some of the pain. All conventional drugs have that effect--but SAMe does the opposite, actually helping build healthier, more flexible cartilage. Along with a good diet & exercise, SAMe is a primary treatment for reducing osteoarthritis symptoms. SAMe does seem to have some benefit for fibromyalgia. In one double-blind study, 44 patients received either 800 mg of SAMe or a placebo4. The SAMe group showed significant improvement with less pain, relief from fatigue, less morning stiffness, and improved mood. The highest levels of SAMe are normally found in the liver. Involved in various detoxification pathways, including the proper metabolism of estrogen. Also involved in the production of bile salts that help to digest fats. When people get cirrhosis of the liver, they have depleted levels of SAMe. With more SAMe, there's an increased level of glutathione--a beneficial substance that becomes depleted when liver function is impaired. (Glutathione is one of the most important antioxidants for detoxification.) Since it can be helpful for preventing liver degeneration, it's also a treatment for hepatitis. For conditions like cirrhosis & hepatitis, it is important to consult an experienced practitioner before taking SAMe. It is very safe, with virtually no toxicity. Oral dosages of 3600mg a day produced no side effects in humans.
Osteoarthritis: Start at 800mg daily for the first month & then cut back to 400mg as a maintenance dose. Fibromyalgia: 800mg daily as the average dose, some may need to use a higher amount & some may only need 400mg. Liver Problems: For cirrhosis, 800 to 1200mg daily. This can be taken indefinitely, with the consent of your doctor. For general liver & detoxification support, 200-400mg daily.
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