SAMe, NATURAL SUPPORT FOR HEALTHY BRAIN CHEMISTRY
The body is miraculous in its ability to manufacture many different substances that are involved in maintaining good health. SAMe (S-adenosyl-methionine), which the body makes from the amino acid methionine, is one example of a molecule that is important to the moods we experience. SAMe helps form, activate, or breakdown hormones, fats, proteins, neurotransmitters, and medications.
The brain and the liver usually make the necessary amount of SAMe, but for people experiencing depression, this process may be impaired. Low levels of SAMe results in decreased levels of serotonin, dopamine and other neurotransmitter activity commonly seen in clinical depression. SAMe can help boost neurotransmitter activity, bringing about improvement in mood and relief from depression.
Since the 1980s, European countries, including Italy, Spain, and Germany, have been testing and using SAMe (pill form or injection) to treat depression anxiety, chronic pain, and other health conditions. SAMe is available in the United States as a dietary supplement, but it can interact with other medications. In research and in clinical practice, SAMe is well tolerated by most adults, but is not recommended for children, or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Therefore, it is best to use SAMe while in the care of a licensed holistic health practitioner.
RESOURCES
- MayoClinic.org: SAMe. Accessed 14 Dec 2017.
- SAMe Monograph. Accessed 15 Dec 2017.
- NCCIH.NIH.gov “S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe): In Depth.” Accessed 16 Dec 2017.
- Murray, M.T. and Pizzorno, J. “Depression.” Cited in Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (3rd Ed.) 2012. New York, NY: Atria Paperback: Simon & Schuster, Inc. p. 491.
- Bottiglieri, T. and Hyland, K. “S-adenosylmethionine levels in psychiatric and neurological disorders: a review.” Acta Neurol Scand Suppl (1994) 154:19-26. Accessed 15 Dec 2017.
- Calandra, C., Roxas, M., and Rapisarda, V. “Antidepressant action of SAM in comparison to chlorimipramine. Hypotheses to interpret the mechanism of action.” Minerva Psichiatr. (1979) 20(2):147-152. Accessed 14 Dec 2017.
- Delle, C. R. and Boissard G., “Meta-analysis of 2 European multicenter controlled trials with ademetionine (SAMe) in major depression.” Biol Psychiatry (1997) 42:245S.
