Mechanism of action
S-Adenosylmethionine is a major methyl donor for transmethylation reactions and
propylamine donor for the biosynthesis of polyamines in biological systems. S-adenosylmethionine
facilitates glutathione usage and maintains acetylcholine levels.
S-adenosylmethionine is the substrate used in the methylation of
homogalacturonan in the Golgi apparatus.
S-Adenosylmethionine research
Unlike other methyl donors where the research is scarce, there have been a
number of studies with
S-Adenosylmethionine. These studies have shown that SAM-e influences brain
chemicals by helping to convert norepinephrine to epinephrine and serotonin to melatonin,
helping make creatine, an important energy reservoir in muscle tissue, and helping the
preservation of glutathione, an important antioxidant. Furthermore, SAM-e is involved in
the formation of myelin, the white sheath that surrounds nerve cells and it can improve
brain cell membrane fluidity, thus potentially enhancing the function of receptors.
S-Adenosylmethionine and Mood
Because of its role in the making of neurotransmitters,
S-Adenosylmethionine has been tested in
the therapy of depression. A number of studies have been published, mostly in Europe,
evaluating this nutrient’s role in mood disorders. Back in 1994, Dr. Bressa, from the
University Cattolica Sacro Cuore School of Medicine, in Rome, Italy conducted a
meta-analysis of the studies on SAMe. A meta-analysis is a statistical pooling of already
published research papers. Dr. Bressa concludes, "The efficacy of
S-Adenosylmethionine in treating
depressive syndromes and disorders is superior to that of placebo and comparable to that
of standard tricyclic antidepressants. Since
S-Adenosylmethionineis a naturally occurring compound with
relatively few side-effects, it is a potentially important treatment for
depression."
The influence of S-Adenosylmethionine on depression has also been tested in the United States. Back in 1994, researchers at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center, did a double-blind randomized trial involving a total of twenty-six patients. They compared oral S-Adenosylmethionine with oral desipramine (a pharmaceutical antidepressant). At the end of the four-week trial, 62 percent of the patients treated with SAM-e and 50 percent of the patients treated with desipramine had significantly improved.
S-Adenosylmethionine has even been tested in depressed postmenopausal women. Researchers from
the University of La Sapienza in Rome, Italy gave SAM-e for thirty days to eighty women
between the ages of 45 and 59 with depression following either natural menopause or
hysterectomy. There was a significantly greater improvement in depressive symptoms in the
group treated with SAM-e compared to the placebo group. Side effects were mild and
transient.
SAM-e has been found to improve mood in those with Parkinson's disease.
S-Adenosylmethionine
and fibromylagia
SAM-e may help with
fibromyalgia symptoms.
Low levels of
S-Adenosylmethionine
or methyl donors associated with
retinal microangiopathy
High levels of plasma homocysteine
and a low
S-Adenosylmethionine to S-Adenosylhomocysteine
ratio in plasma, which may reflect reduced transmethylation reactions, may
contribute to the retinal microangiopathy.
Availability
A major drawback to the use of
S-Adenosylmethionine is cost. The retail price of
S-Adenosylmethionine is
a little less than a dollar per 200 mg pill. The suggested dose of
S-Adenosylmethionine in the therapy of depression
ranges from 100 to 400 mg a day, although many individuals do well with even
less than 100 mg. Since the lowest dose over the counter is 200 mg, one could
bite off half or a portion of a tablet.
Many nutrients work is a similar fashion to
S-Adenosylmethionine,
particularly other methyl donors such as
DMAE, TMG, DMG.
In fact, B12 and folate help the body produce SAM-e. Therefore, your dosage of SAM-e
should be reduced if you are taking other methyl donors.
Natrol
S-Adenosylmethionine,
200 mg
Jarrow
S-Adenosylmethionine,
200 mg
Source Naturals
S-Adenosylmethionine,
200 mg
S-Adenosylmethionine and
Arthritis
S-Adenosylmethionine helps support the incorporation of sulfate
groups into proteoglycans which help maintain cartilage and protect joints. Some studies have suggested that
S-Adenosylmethionine possesses
anti-inflammatory and tissue-healing properties that may help protect the health of
joints, and perhaps may lessen pain. It is quite possible that SAM-e may be useful for
people with osteoarthritis, although more research needs
to be done in this area.
S-Adenosylmethionine Caution and side effects
High doses can lead to anxiety and restlessness, and even insomnia. Long term side
effects are currently not known. The effects seem to be additive over several days of use,
hence dosage may need to be reduced with time. Some do well on even 50 or 100 mg (one
quarter or one half of a 200 mg pill) per day.
S-Adenosylmethionine may induce a manic swing in those with
bipolar disorder.
SAM-e Summary
S-Adenosylmethionine is a useful therapeutic agent for depression and perhaps arthritis
and perhaps other disorders. Long-term studies are needed with
S-Adenosylmethionine before making
widespread recommendations for its use. However, short-term human studies thus far have
found it to be effective.
S-Adenosylmethionine Research
Update
S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) versus celecoxib for the
treatment of osteoarthritis symptoms: A double-blind cross-over trial.
Najm WI, Reinsch S, Hoehler F et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2004 Feb 26
S-Adenosylmethionine is a dietary supplement used in the
management of osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms. Studies evaluating S-Adenosylmethionine
in the management of OA have been limited to Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory
Drugs (NSAIDs) for comparison. The present study compares the effectiveness of
S-Adenosylmethionine to a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor (celecoxib) for
pain control, functional improvement and to decrease side effects in people with
osteoarthritis of the knee. A randomized double-blind cross-over study,
comparing S-Adenosylmethionine (1200 mg) with celecoxib (Celebrex 200 mg) for 16
weeks to reduce pain associated with OA of the knee. Sixty-one adults diagnosed
with OA of the knee were enrolled and 56 completed the study. Subjects were
tested for pain, functional health, mood status, isometric joint function tests,
and side effects. RESULTS: On the first month of Phase 1, celecoxib showed
significantly more reduction in pain than S-Adenosylmethionine. By the second
month of Phase 1, there was no significant difference between both groups. The
duration of treatment and the interaction of duration with type of treatment
were statistically significant. On most functional health measures both groups
showed a notable improvement from baseline, however no significant difference
between S-Adenosylmethionine and celecoxib was observed. Isometric joint
function tests appeared to be steadily improving over the entire study period
regardless of treatment. S-Adenosylmethionine has a slower onset of
action but is as effective as celecoxib in the management of symptoms of knee
osteoarthritis. Longer studies are needed to evaluate the long-term
effectiveness of SAM-e and the optimal dose to be used.
S-Adenosylmethionine improves depression in patients with Parkinson's disease
Researchers at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York report a study of S-adenosyl-methionine in 13 depressed patients with Parkinson's disease.
S-Adenosylmethionine is an amino-like
nutrient naturally present in the body and available as a supplement in health
food stores. All patients had been previously treated with other antidepressant
agents and had no significant benefit or had intolerable side effects. S-Adenosylmethionine was
administered in doses of 800 mg per day for a period of 10 weeks. Eleven
patients completed the study, and 10 had at least a 50% improvement on the
Hamilton Depression Scale. One patient did not improve. Two patients prematurely
terminated participation in the study because of increased anxiety. One patient
experienced mild nausea, and another two patients developed mild diarrhea, which
resolved spontaneously. Although uncontrolled and preliminary, this study
suggests that S-Adenosylmethionine is well tolerated and may be an alternative to the
antidepressant agents currently used in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Comments:
S-Adenosylmethionine is a available over the counter in a dose of 200 mg.
It is widely used in Europe to treat depression and has also been somewhat
helpful in treating alcoholic liver cirrhosis and osteoarthritis. I often start
my patients with 100 mg in the morning and build up to a maximum of 200 mg three
times a day. High doses can lead to anxiety and restlessness. Prolonged use of
SAM-e should only be done under medical supervision.
S-Adenosylmethionine emails
Q. Can
S-Adenosylmethionine cause higher blood pressure
in individuals who had previously had a history of low blood pressure?
A. One small study did not indicate
S-Adenosylmethionine raised BP, however, it is possible that
some individuals who respond with higher bp after
S-Adenosylmethionine intake.
Q. It was suggested for me to take 25mg of Zoloff for a
week then increase to 50mg for mild depression. I preferred to take a natural
substance and I did some research on Sam-e and purchased 20 200mg of Sam-e. I took
two 200mg this morning now this afternoon I'm experiencing anxiety.
A. Anxiety is a very common side effect of
S-Adenosylmethionine in doses
greater than 100 or 200 mg.
Q. Quick
question: I want to take 100mg of
S-Adenosylmethionine
but I can't find anyone that sells it. The minimum
dose seems to be 200. Can you give me any leads?
A. Unfortunately, I don’t know any company that sells the 100 mg. I recommend
patients bite off half a pill.
Q. Is it okay to take a
glyconutrient product along with a supplement of
SAMe?
A. It's difficult to say since each company making a '
glyconutrient supplement ' has a different composition of ingredients.
Q. Does S-Adenosylmethionine increase sexual
stamina?
A. Maybe a little, but there are other products that work better
for sexual stamina.
S-Adenosylmethionine research
Additional links on this sample page
adenosylmethionine benefits for depression s-adenosylmethionine research adenosy-methionine arthritis