by Jackie Hart, MD
Q: A well-meaning friend just gave me a bottle of SAMe saying that she was told it is helpful for treating early signs of Parkinsons disease. Please comment. I have not started taking them yet.
A: I am sure that your friends intentions are good, but I believe that she has gotten some information mixed up. SAMe, which stands for S-adenosyl methionine, is an important and abundant biochemical substance that helps to metabolize various hormones and neurotransmitters in the body including serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine. Dopamine depletion in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra leads to the development of Parkinsons disease. Treatment consists, in part, of taking a medication called levodopa (L-dopa), to bring dopamine levels back to normal, in conjunction with carbidopa, which helps the L-dopa to reach the proper place in the brain.
Several experiments in animals have indicated that giving SAMe to rats causes Parkinsons Disease. Similar tests have not been done in people. However, I would not recommend taking this supplement if you have early signs of Parkinsons disease because the same negative effects seen in rats may occur in people.
SAMe has shown some value for the treatment of depression, joint disorders like osteoarthritis, and liver disease. In addition, a few early studies suggest that SAMe helps improve cognitive function in people with dementia, particularly Alzheimers dementia. As you can see, there is still much research to be done to fully understand the health affects of SAMe. For now, though, it does not appear safe to take this supplement if there is a possibility that you have Parkinsons disease.
Q: A well-meaning friend just gave me a bottle of SAMe saying that she was told it is helpful for treating early signs of Parkinsons disease. Please comment. I have not started taking them yet.
A: I am sure that your friends intentions are good, but I believe that she has gotten some information mixed up. SAMe, which stands for S-adenosyl methionine, is an important and abundant biochemical substance that helps to metabolize various hormones and neurotransmitters in the body including serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine. Dopamine depletion in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra leads to the development of Parkinsons disease. Treatment consists, in part, of taking a medication called levodopa (L-dopa), to bring dopamine levels back to normal, in conjunction with carbidopa, which helps the L-dopa to reach the proper place in the brain.
Several experiments in animals have indicated that giving SAMe to rats causes Parkinsons Disease. Similar tests have not been done in people. However, I would not recommend taking this supplement if you have early signs of Parkinsons disease because the same negative effects seen in rats may occur in people.
SAMe has shown some value for the treatment of depression, joint disorders like osteoarthritis, and liver disease. In addition, a few early studies suggest that SAMe helps improve cognitive function in people with dementia, particularly Alzheimers dementia. As you can see, there is still much research to be done to fully understand the health affects of SAMe. For now, though, it does not appear safe to take this supplement if there is a possibility that you have Parkinsons disease.