SAMe - A Ray of Hope for the Depressed

Those who suffer from depression often refuse to admit it. They fear that consulting for depression is interpreted as a sign of weakness, a lack of character or personality defect. One of the main benefits of SAMe is that it can be obtained easily and without medical advice: it remains in the private sphere. Many people who have suffered in silence to find a solution to their problem, and have recovered much faster than they had hoped. Warning: 90% suffer from depressive unipolar depression: they are depressed or almost continuously. The remaining 10% suffer from bipolar depression (depression or mania), in which periods of intense excitement succeed at times of extreme melancholy: they should not use SAMe or take the advice of a therapist.

What is SAMe?

The SAMe is normally produced in the body from the essential amino acid methionine, vitamin B12, folic acid and the energy molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The SAMe is not distributed fairly among human beings: the serum levels are seven times higher in children than in adults. Men make a little more than women. People with neurological disorders and depression still have levels of SAMe but significantly depressed.

The SAMe and Methylation

The key role of SAMe in the process of methylation makes it absolutely essential to human health. Methylation, which transfers a molecule to another methyl group molecule (one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms) is a crucial process that enables more than one hundred biochemical reactions. The methylation activity declines with age. Specialists now believe that this contributes to slowing the aging process itself and the development of several diseases. The SAMe is involved in:

1. Methylation of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is the actual operating system of the body and helps to regulate key processes such as cell growth, the immune system and reproduction. We now believe that under-methylation of DNA is a reason why cancers develop, since it hampers the body's ability to repair damaged cells before they become cancerous.

2. Methylation of proteins involved in the activation of membrane receptors, without which cells can not communicate with each other. However, it is demonstrated that a simple deficiency of protein metabolism is sufficient to trigger depression.

3. Methylation of phospholipids, which are the cell membranes themselves: the SAMe helps maintain their flexibility and permeability, essential for cellular exchanges.

SAMe and the trans-sulfuration

The trans-sulfuration is the process by which the body produces its main endogenous antioxidant: glutathione, from the amino acids cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine. The SAMe plays a critical role in this reaction. High levels of Glutathione can protect the liver and to detoxify, protect DNA, enhance the immune system and reduce inflammation.

The SAMe and transamino-propytation

The SAMe is involved in the production of polyamines (known aminopropytation) spermidine and spermine. A by-product of this aminopropytation, Methylthioadenosine, plays an essential role in controlling pain and inflammation.

The SAMe and homocysteine

Homocysteine is an amino acid which is a toxic by-product of the process of Méthylathion. The accumulation of homocysteine is a major risk factor of cardiovascular disease. There is also a correlation between high levels of homocysteine and depression. The SAMe helps reduce homocysteine levels by activating an enzyme (cystathione-beta-synthetase) that converts to Glutathione!

The SAMe and depression: a search superbe!

The SAMe is one of the most natural substances studied: there has been thousands of studies conducted, including 39 clinical studies on its ability to control depression. These studies have focused on nearly 1,400 patients, most severely depressed, and often did not obtain results with conventional treatments.

According to these studies, SAMe is able to simultaneously increase the concentrations of several brain neurotransmitters: norepinephrine (a natural stimulant), dopamine (which creates the feeling of well being) and serotonin (a natural tranquilizer). Increased levels of these neurotransmitters is generally associated with antidepressant effects. A meta-analysis published in Acta Neurologica Scandinavia in 1994 compiled the studies published between 1973 and 1992 (11 studies against placebo, 14 studies and 13 open studies), this "study of studies" concluded: "The efficacy of SAMe to treat depressive syndromes is higher than that of placebo and comparable to that of tricyclic antidepressants. Since SAMe is a natural compound virtually devoid of side effects, its antidepressant effects are a potentially important tool in the arsenal of modern psychopharmacologue". These studies and other studies further confirm that SAMe takes its place among the antidepressants most powerful but it is distinguished by the speed with which it operates and the manner in which it is tolerated.

How to consume SAMe?

The right mix: The starting dose of SAMe is 400 mg per day (200 mg on an empty stomach before breakfast and before lunch). This dosage effects occur in less than 15 days. Some people may need to take 800 mg per day. If after 15 days this dosage does not provide sufficient improvement, it will be necessary to consult a therapist. It may be that a higher dosage is necessary or that it should combine SAMe with another product.

Will SAMe will work for me?

The magic product, 100% effective, does not exist. Studies show that SAMe is effective in 70% of those making it. This result is equal to or greater than those of other antidepressants, but it can not hurt you! And when taken in combination they can often reduce the strength and improve the effectiveness of other treatments.

How long does it take?

There is no risk consuming SAMe. Although SAMe acts promptly, it is preferable not to interrupt the treatment before obtaining a full and sustained improvement. If you are not fully recovered from depression, you risk an increased risk of recurrence. If this is your first episode of depression, continue to take SAMe for at least three months after your condition has improved by at least 50%. If this is your third depression, you are a person at high risk and you should take a maintenance dose of SAMe on an ongoing basis.

Is there a risk of overdose or addiction?

No! SAMe was administered at dosages up to 3600 mg per day with no side effects other than mild intestinal disorders. And unlike drugs SAMe does not create any addiction. There is no risk at the end of supplementation other than that, of course, premature return to a state of depression.

Are there any dangerous interactions?

It is not advisable to drink alcohol when you are depressed because alcohol has a depressant. However it is not dangerous to drink when you take the SAMe. In fact, SAMe has a very beneficial effect on liver function and was used in combination with other nutrients and drugs to help alcoholics to break their dependency on it. Against no-indication is when SAMe is taken in conjunction with medications. However, it is recommended as a precaution, to combine SAMe with drugs of the class of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Can we combine SAMe and its extract?

Yes, for those who have not responded adequately to one of these two substances. Take a good multi-vitamin formulation containing significant dosages of vitamin B12 and folic acid, magnesium and fatty acids Omega3. No side effects, but the benefits varies.

SAMe has a biochemical role so important that it is certainly one of the nutrients most versatile and powerful that you can take:

1. Clinical studies have shown significant efficacy of SAMe in the treatment of osteoarthritis, arthritis and rheumatism. The American Journal of Medicine published a special issue devoted to this issue (20 November 1987, vol 83, supp.5A) and concludes "The SAMe is effective in relieving pain and it is remarkably devoid of side effects." In a German study involving 20,621 patients, 70% of physicians and 75% of patients were deemed "effective" or "very effective". SAMe (400 to 800 mg per day) relieves pain as well and it is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory. It also provides significant benefits including chondroprotecteurs.

2. The SAMe has been used successfully to treat serious liver diseases like hepatitis and cirrhosis. SAMe helps the liver to increase production of Glutathione which is the key to the process of detoxification. In the treatment of hepatitis C, SAMe has increased the effectiveness of treatment with interferon and limited its side effects.

3. The SAMe has also been used, alone or as an adjunct in the treatment of fibromyalgia, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's) and all problems associated with excessive homocysteine in body.

Is that a single substance can really do all this?

Yes! the SAMe is a natural substance that is normally present in the body. It plays a crucial role in three key biochemical circuits: transméthylation; trans-sulfuration and transaminopropylation and in thirty-five reactions associated with them. It is this versatility which itself explains the powerful effects like antidepressants, analgesics, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and chondroprotecteurs of SAMe.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antidepressant