Supplementation

SAMe and Treatment of Diseases

Liver disease including cirrhosis.

Alcoholics cause stress to their livers that results in the liver requiring more SAMe since it uses up more than livers not under alcoholic oxidative stress. Running out of SAMe stops the production of cysteine that in turn reduces the neutralizing of the free radicals. These free radicals can then destroy and mutate the liver cells [4],[5]. SAMe can increase the survival rate of people with cirrhosis of the liver [4]. This seems to be a mainstream treatment of liver disease.

Brain

A study in 2010 suggested that dietary treatment with SAMe will delay the neural degeneration found in ALS. It was a preliminary study and more work is needed but it looks promising [5]. Supplementation with SAMe helps improve cognitive function that sometimes decreases with age [6]. Now here’s something about aging besides just keeping a damaged liver functioning.

Depression

SAMe was found to significantly reduce the symptoms of depression in HIV/AIDS patients. And it did this within one week [7]. SAMe was also determined to be at least as effective as normal anti-depressants but was better tolerated [12].

Osteoarthritis

Oral doses of SAMe were given to patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and spine. Relief from the symptoms occurred in the first weeks of taking SAMe and relief continued throughout the trial period. Depression related to the osteoarthritis was also substantially decreased [8]. Most of the comparisons of SAMe have been with NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anit-inflammatory drugs) such as Tylenol. A study comparing SAMe with a cox-inhibitor showed SAMe not relieving as much pain in the first week but by the second week there was no significant difference between the two [9]. OK, now here is another aging issue.

Is it Safe?

WebMD, previously cited [1] it says "SAMe is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth, given intravenously (by IV), or when injected as a shot, appropriately. It can sometimes cause gas, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, headache, mild insomnia, anorexia, sweating, dizziness, and nervousness, especially at higher doses. It can also make some people with depression feel anxious." Much of the research was done with injections of SAMe but there are several done on the safety and efficacy of SAMe taken orally that show that it is both efficient AND safe to take orally [10], [11]. In most of the articles I have cited stated that SAMe was better tolerated than the alternative and that any side-effects were minor. On example is a study of SAMe for the treatment of depression. Not only was SAMe found to be as effective as TCAs (tricyclic anti-depressants), commonly used anti-depressant drugs, but it was found to be better tolerated with fewer side effects [12].

It appears that SAMe is effective in treating many diseases as well and neutralizing the evil villain free radicals. Since free radicals seem to be a major culprit in the aging process, SAMe seems to be talking to me. So this all sounds good to me but something that really sounds better is that SAMe is a naturally occurring molecule created by our own bodies. So it’s not some complex molecule found by accident when a scientist was trying to create a better drain cleaner. I also like that it has few side effects and can be taken orally. I give it a thumbs up.

Please note that I am not selling SAMe or any other supplements. I am just researching it and other supplements for my own use and I am sharing my research with you. I am not even recommending SAMe. Like anything else, you should consult your doctor and, if you begin taking SAMe, do it in a controlled way. In other words, don't start taking multiple supplements or even new prescription drugs at the same time. In that way, if you have one of the side effects, you can be pretty sure it is the SAMe and not something else.