SAM-e Supplement

SAM- e, the abbreviated form of the chemical name ‘S-adenosyl methionine’, is a naturally occurring chemical in the human body. Its production is assisted by the presence of the amino acid methionine, derived from certain food products. The natural level of SAM-e present in the body is however known to recede as a person ages. In order to increase the levels of this chemical and reverse the negative effects caused by its declining levels, it is a usual practice to supplement ones diet with a SAM-e supplement.

Benefits of Sam-e Supplement

The health benefits of SAM-e supplement are many just like with mood enhancing fruits as well. Few of the well-researched advantages of using SAM-e as a dietary supplement are elaborated as follows.

Depression: SAM-e can be effective mood booster and has proved to aid mild cases of depression as well as bipolar medication. When compared to other anti-depressants available upon prescription, the effects of SAM-e are almost similar and at times much more significant, without the toxicity and harsh side-effects caused by most anti-depressant drugs. SAM-e aids in the production of mood-alleviating neurotransmitters in the brain such as serotonin and dopamine, lower levels of which are responsible for agitated behavior and frustrated moods in a person.

Arthritis: Accompanying the diet with a SAM-e supplement is also considered to be an effective remedy for people suffering from arthritis. Arthritis is a condition accompanied by discomfort in the joints of the knees, hips, spine etc. due to damage of the cartilage tissue. The long term use of prescription drugs used in the treatment of arthritis have can have adverse effects on the digestive tract and result in severe gastric problems. Many patients have suffered from the development of stomach ulcers, while fatalities due to the side-effects are also not uncommon. Additionally, these drugs are also known to slow down the process of cartilage formation in the long run. SAM-e has proved to have anti-inflammatory properties that not only soothe joint pains but also foster the formation of cartilage in joints.

Liver: SAM-e has also shown to improve cholestasis, a liver condition that usually occurs in women during pregnancy, which blocks the flow of bile from the liver.  Other benefits of SAM-e supplement include treating fibromyalgia, migraine, insomnia etc.

Negative Effects of Sam-e Supplement

The negative effects of SAM-e supplement are not that common and if and when they do occur, the effects are mild. If taken in high dosages, SAM-e can lead to mild gastrointestinal problems such as nauseated sensations, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation etc. The negative effects of SAM-e supplement may be more pronounced in patients suffering from bipolar disorder or Parkinson’s disease as it is known to make the symptoms worse in such cases. SAM-e must also not be taken in combination with other prescription drugs or anti-depressants as it may lead to an over -production of neurotransmitters in the brain, thus leading to negative reactions such as restlessness etc.

SAM-e has been made available to people either through prescriptions or even over-the-counter in some countries. The dosage of a SAM-e supplement however, differs depending on the condition being treated and must be decided upon only with the advise of a medical practitioner.