S-Adenosylmethionine, also known as SAMe, has gained attention in the past few decades as a promising alternative treatment for depression. While SAMe has shown benefits for treating depression in adults, there's only a limited amount of evidence attesting to its use and safety in children and adolescents. Consult your teenager's doctor before using SAMe.
About S-Adenosylmethionine
S-Adenosylmethionine is a naturally occurring compound that is produced in your body from ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, a coenzyme used as an energy carrier, and the amino acid methionine. SAMe is not found in dietary sources. Your body uses SAMe for a number of important processes, including maintaining a healthy immune system and the production and break down of important brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, including serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that SAMe production requires vitamin B-12 and folate. If you do not have enough of these nutrients, you may have a decreased production of SAMe. Some evidence has shown SAMe to be an effective treatment for depression, and it may even be as effective as certain antidepressants.
Teenage Depression
Depression in adolescents is a relatively common mental health concern. While anyone can develop depression, teenagers have particular concerns and issues that can trigger symptoms of depression. Common triggers include hormonal changes, independence conflicts with parents, school concerns, dating issues, family problems, such as abuse, and other health concerns, such as concurrent mental health issues like ADHD, and alcohol and drug use. Symptoms can cause a significant impact on your ability to function. Teenagers often deal with depression differently than adults. They may act out, engage in reckless behavior or exhibit poor academic performance. Certain treatments, like medication and psychotherapy and alternative treatments like SAMe, may help. However, alternative remedies should never be used in adolescents without a doctor's supervision.
Clinical Evidence
Most of the research regarding SAMe's effectiveness for depression has been performed on adults. However, one study, published in 2004 in the "European Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry," examined the effects of SAMe on depression in three study participants between the ages of 8 and 16. While study results found benefits for reducing depression symptoms in all three participants, the researchers suggest additional trials to confirm the benefits and evaluate the safety of SAMe in a broader population of children and adolescents. More clinical trials are needed with particular emphasis on the safety and efficacy of SAMe for teenage depression.
Considerations
SAMe may provide certain benefits for reducing depressive symptoms in adolescents. However, the University of Maryland notes that SAMe should never be administered to young people without a doctor's supervision. SAMe may interact with certain medications and should never be used in conjunction with antidepressants, unless you are directed to do so by your doctor.
