by Jackie Hart, MD
Q: What can you tell me about SAMe? Ive seen it written up in magazines, and discussed on major network news shows. It has been used for years in Europe to treat depression and arthritis. Ive heard that it works faster than other remedies, and is available without a prescription.
A: I tend to be fairly conservative about supplements when they are used to self-medicate. I am particularly wary of those that claim to work on multiple different systems, as is the case with SAMe (s-adenosylmethionine.) SAMe (pronounced "sammy") is purported to help depression, arthritis and liver disease. With that said, the information regarding use of SAMe for each of these conditions, which comes primarily from Europe and more recently from California, is interesting.
If depression is on a spectrum, with thoughts and/or attempts of suicide on one end and occasional dysthymia (generally low mood) on the other, I think there are times when people with moderate depression may benefit from SAMe, particularly if they have tried medications without success or with intolerable side effects. SAMe is involved in a natural metabolic process known as methylation. Green leafy vegetables rich in B vitamins, including folate, can also facilitate the process of methylation. Adding these vegetables, therefore, is an easy, natural and safe way to possibly help people on the low, dysthymic end of the spectrum.
On the higher end of the spectrum, people need extensive intervention which, in some cases, may include hospitalization. So, again, for moderate depression, it may be worth trying SAMe under the guidance of your doctor or health care professional. I would caution against dabbling because of an occasional low mood or using SAMe for management of depression on the high end of the spectrum until there is more information.
We may learn, through studies that are now ongoing, that SAMe rivals the current anti-depressants on the American market. In fact, a few small trials in California comparing SAMe to a class of medications known as tricyclics suggest that those taking SAMe may see beneficial effects more quickly and may experience fewer side effects. More research is needed to determine the efficacy of this drug, as well as any potential side effects.
Q: What can you tell me about SAMe? Ive seen it written up in magazines, and discussed on major network news shows. It has been used for years in Europe to treat depression and arthritis. Ive heard that it works faster than other remedies, and is available without a prescription.
A: I tend to be fairly conservative about supplements when they are used to self-medicate. I am particularly wary of those that claim to work on multiple different systems, as is the case with SAMe (s-adenosylmethionine.) SAMe (pronounced "sammy") is purported to help depression, arthritis and liver disease. With that said, the information regarding use of SAMe for each of these conditions, which comes primarily from Europe and more recently from California, is interesting.
If depression is on a spectrum, with thoughts and/or attempts of suicide on one end and occasional dysthymia (generally low mood) on the other, I think there are times when people with moderate depression may benefit from SAMe, particularly if they have tried medications without success or with intolerable side effects. SAMe is involved in a natural metabolic process known as methylation. Green leafy vegetables rich in B vitamins, including folate, can also facilitate the process of methylation. Adding these vegetables, therefore, is an easy, natural and safe way to possibly help people on the low, dysthymic end of the spectrum.
On the higher end of the spectrum, people need extensive intervention which, in some cases, may include hospitalization. So, again, for moderate depression, it may be worth trying SAMe under the guidance of your doctor or health care professional. I would caution against dabbling because of an occasional low mood or using SAMe for management of depression on the high end of the spectrum until there is more information.
We may learn, through studies that are now ongoing, that SAMe rivals the current anti-depressants on the American market. In fact, a few small trials in California comparing SAMe to a class of medications known as tricyclics suggest that those taking SAMe may see beneficial effects more quickly and may experience fewer side effects. More research is needed to determine the efficacy of this drug, as well as any potential side effects.