Sam-e: a Promising Supplement for Depression

Over 15 million people will suffer from depression this year in the US alone. With over $50 billion dollars combined in lost wages it is a serious problem to a lot of people.

Sam-e (pronounced "sammy") is short for S- adenosyl, L-methionine. It is a naturally occurring substance that is found in virtually all living organisms. This health food supplement is a promising dietary supplement for treating depression. Discovered in the 1970's in Italy, Sam E is essentially a man made amino acid. It was only just introduced in the US a little over 11 years ago. It has become increasingly popular in alternative medicine circles and is even catching on in mainstream westernized medical settings, for treating mild to moderate depression. Though it is not FDA approved at this time it has been used in 100's of clinical studies with surprising results in treating depression. In study after study Sam-e has been documented repeatedly to be superior to a placebo time and again.

Sam-e is produced naturally in our bodies. It is made from the amino acid methionine and ATP. Which is necessary for transmethylations to occur within the nervous system. Exactly how it works physiologically is not known but the general theory of how it works is that it is passing a methyl group from molecule to molecule. This process is believed to be necessary to over 100 bodily functions and processes and believed to directly effect the function of neurotransmitter's in the brain like serotonin and dopamine

Another important aspect to consider is both B12 and folate help the body make Sam-e. People who have low levels or deficiencies of B12 and folate are also more likely to be depressed. If you are taking separate supplements with folate and B12 you may need to decrease your dosage of Sam-e.

Unlike a lot of herbal and natural supplements Sam-e can be used safely in conjunction with most prescription antidepressants. In clinical studies those that took Sam-e fared better overall, regardless of current regimen used for treating depression.

The average does varies from between 400mg and 1600 mg. People using Sam-e should be conscious of manic episodes. There are very little side effects otherwise. As a dietary supplement to aid in depression it has an extremely safe record. In Europe Sam-e is a prescription drug that has been in use for over 20 years and is favored over Prozac in many countries. It is also cheaper and seemingly more effective than most mainstream antidepressants, making it a much more attractive option in lieu of traditional drug therapies. Though it is extremely effective used with prescription drugs as well. Sam-e seems like a bright spot on the horizon for many people suffering from depression.

You can purchase same-e at your local health food store, drugstore and online for between $16-$38 a package. Which averages out to roughly .70 a pill. Same-e should not be used in cases of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. If you are breastfeeding or pregnant consult with your doctor or midwife. As with all over the counter drugs and supplements they should be kept out of the reach of children and small pets.