S-adenosylmethionine, or SAMe, is a compound present naturally in the human body. It is formed in the body and plays a part in the immune system, helps maintain cell membranes and participates in the production and metabolism of brain chemicals such as serotonin, melatonin and dopamine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly control supplements and the quality of them is highly variable. Use of SAMe should only be undertaken with the direction of a qualified health professional.
Osteoarthritis
MayoClinic.com notes that there is good evidence that SAMe is useful in the treatment of the "wear and tear" type of arthritis. This product can reduce pain and swelling in the joints and may also have some benefit to cartilage within joints. SAMe compares favorably to drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen and celecoxib for the treatment of arthritis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, due to the short-term nature of studies involving SAMe, conclusions about its long-term safety and effectiveness cannot be made.
Depression
While it is difficult to make definite conclusions about its usefulness in treating depression, SAMe appears to be helpful. It is thought that this compound may help increase levels of serotonin in the brain which could account for its effectiveness in improving depression symptoms. It may work faster than some prescription antidepressants although direct scientific comparison studies do not exist. In addition, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports that many studies of SAMe and depression were done with injectable products and may not correlate with oral supplements.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia symptoms of fatigue, muscle pain and sad mood may be improved with SAMe supplementation. This may be true for certain individuals, but definitive conclusions about its effectiveness and safety cannot be made based on the available medical literature.
Liver Disease
The majority of S-adenosylmethionine is produced and active in the liver. Those individuals with liver disease may have lower than normal levels of SAMe. For this reason, supplementation may reduce inflammation and dysfunction of the liver in certain cases. This is sometimes reflected by a decrease in levels of certain enzymes in the blood indicative of liver inflammation, by those taking SAMe.
Other Uses
SAMe use has been suggested for several other disorders. The safety and effectiveness of SAMe supplements in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Parkinson's disease and human immunodeficiency virus infection is not recommended. SAMe does have potential side effects and interactions, and you should not take it without first discussing it with your doctor.
