Many health-conscious consumers are probably still unaware of the health benefits of SAMe, a nutraceutical product that is often taken as a supplement to help with a variety of health issues. SAMe is a non-protein compound responsible for numerous biochemical activities in your body, including breaking down various chemicals in your body. There are multiple functions associated with SAMe, including improving your liver and bone health, as well as managing back pain. The health benefits of SAMe are very diverse, which has made SAMe a very popular nutraceutical product to consider.
What Is SAMe?
S-AdenosylMethionine (SAMe) is an organically occurring compound found in the human body. It can also be made in a laboratory. It is formed from methionine, an essential amino acid, and adenosine triphosphate, an energy-producing compound.
SAMe is most commonly taken in supplement form and is available for sale from a large number of companies that focus on selling various nutraceutical products and supplements. This supplement has become very popular recently, because of the numerous health benefits of SAMe, including both physical and mental health benefits. The supplement is taken orally to ease depression, anxiety, and osteoarthritis. It has also been tested against a wide range of health conditions and may be able to improve fibromyalgia or liver health. Cedars Sinai, a nonprofit hospital based in California, noted that it is studying SAMe to see if it can be useful in treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
How It Works
SAMe helps to produce and regulate hormones in the body. It drives complex metabolic functions, essential for cell growth and lifecycle, inflammation, and brain chemistry. SAMe prevents uncontrolled cell division associated with cancer cells. It inhibits MMP, an enzyme involved in cancer progression and inflammation. It increases serotonin in the brain, a neurotransmitter that passes signals between the nerve cells and controls their intensity. Serotonin plays a vital role in stabilizing our moods and emotions as well as promoting our mental wellbeing. SAMe can benefit the human body in many ways, most notably for its ability to alleviate the symptoms of certain mental health conditions. Further research on SAMe may be able to shed light on its potential to treat more complex, physical health issues.
The Health Benefits Of SAMe Supplements
1. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. The condition attacks the cartilage between our bones and on large joints such as the knee and hip. Patients suffer stiff and painful joints and have a reduced quality of life due to this point. Fortunately, some nutraceutical products, including turmeric, have been shown to have the potential to help reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis.
SAMe is effective in easing pain from osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that SAMe, taken orally, is just as effective as NSAID painkillers such as ibuprofen and Celebrex. While long-term administration of NSAID painkillers may lead to ulcers and other adverse health effects, SAMe supplements may provide a much safer and equally effective alternative. During one study, 61 adults took SAMe for 16 weeks to see if it could help to relieve the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. It was concluded that SAMe was just as effective as celecoxib, although it took longer for SAMe to begin having an impact on the individuals.
2. Depression
Depression leads to social withdrawal and a range of social and behavioral changes. These changes negatively impact one’s quality of life. Extensive clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of SAMe in treating depression. It acts faster than most commonly used antidepressants and works just as well. SAMe has also been shown to improve cognition in patients and reverse the sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants. It is crucial to consult with your doctor if you are currently taking any medication for anxiety and depression, as it may not be safe to combine these with SAMe or to immediately stop taking one medication and switch to SAMe. It is also important to avoid St. John’s wort, another common nutraceutical product if you are taking SAMe supplements.
3. Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is characterized by pain, stiffness, fatigue, insomnia, and tenderness in certain parts. SAMe has been shown to reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia. It is well tolerated in that it leads to mild effects in patients. As the signs of fibromyalgia vary from patient to patient, the effectiveness of SAMe in treatment may also vary. During one randomized controlled trial, a treatment group received 400mg of SAMe twice daily, while another group received a placebo. This trial was able to demonstrate that those taking SAMe experienced notable improvements, including a decrease in morning stiffness, reduced fatigue, and an improvement in their mood.
4. Boosting Liver Health
In people with chronic liver disease, the SAMe supplement may be used in treatment regimens by improving the function of your body’s largest organ. However, the supplement’s efficacy is not guaranteed for other organ-related conditions like viral hepatitis and cholestasis.
SAMe is also believed to promote mental performance and manage anxiety, easing Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) symptoms, slowing the aging process, and helping those dealing with smoking addiction. The diverse health benefits of SAMe make it well worth considering if you are looking for a nutraceutical product to treat the symptoms of some of the aforementioned health issues.
Where Can You Get SAMe If You’re Deficient
SAMe does not naturally occur in any type of food product, so you will have to rely on supplements to boost your SAMe levels. Nevertheless, if you provide some of the raw materials, methionine, Vitamin B12, and folate, your body will reproduce sufficient levels of SAMe. Therefore, it is much more convenient to purchase SAMe supplements from a nutraceutical company. It may also be useful to consult with a naturopath, who may be able to review your health conditions to see if SAMe, or other nutraceutical products, could be a good fit for you based on your health condition and the other medications you are currently taking.
Are There Any Side Effects?
SAMe is generally considered safe. There are possible side effects, although minor, which include nausea and digestive complications. If taken in large amounts, SAMe may lead to mania, skin rashes, anxiety, dry mouth, headaches, dizziness, gas, and an upset stomach. SAMe may also trigger an allergic reaction in some people. As we mentioned before, SAMe could cause more issues if mixed with other medications, or it also may be less effective if combined with certain medications.
The Takeaway
SAMe supplements present a range of benefits to people living with chronic conditions. However, you must consult your doctor before incorporating the supplement alongside prescription medicines. If you are focusing on SAMe to help relieve mental health symptoms, it may also be worthwhile to consider other options such as magnesium supplements or lithium supplements.
Granted, there is a range of physical health benefits associated with adequate SAMe levels in your body. Research has shown promising results for treating liver conditions, depression, and fibromyalgia. More research should be conducted regarding SAMe‘s role in detoxifying the liver and improving liver health, as there is currently not enough proof to show that SAMe alone is able to treat serious liver conditions.
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