If you’ve heard of S-adenosyl-l-methionine, you’re likely more familiar with its nickname, SAMe (which is pronounced like the name Sammy). But you may not know what it does.
What Is SAMe?
Produced naturally by the body from the amino acid methionine, this compound “acts on a number of important molecules including hormones, neurotransmitters, fatty acids, DNA, proteins, and cell membranes,” according to a fact sheet published by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Research results suggest that SAMe has anti-inflammatory and antidepressant properties. People generally use SAMe to treat “depression, osteoarthritis, and liver disease,” according to Mayo Clinic staff.
Possible Uses of SAMe
- Arthritis: Researchers have shown SAMe to be as effective as conventional treatments for osteoarthritis, but more studies are needed before the compound is recommended for pain.
- Liver disease: Some studies showed promise in treating chronic liver disease and drug-induced liver toxicity, but in both cases, more research is needed to confirm safety and effectiveness.
- Depression: A review published in the Annals of General Psychiatry found that “existing trials of SAMe . . . have shown encouraging and generally positive results.” The authors noted that “SAMe has demonstrated the ability to induce a valid and effective antidepressants effect, with remarkably few side effects and a relatively rapid onset of action.”
SAMe Side Effects
Generally mild, side effects may include flatulence, headache, upset stomach, and nausea and vomiting.
“Information on the long-term safety of SAMe is limited,” according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, “because the participants in most studies took it only for short periods of time. However, in one study of alcohol-related liver disease, participants took SAMe for two years; in that study, no serious side effects were reported.”
Interactions
Use of SAMe with drugs or supplements that increase serotonin levels could lead to serotonin syndrome, a condition in which high levels of serotonin accumulate in the body. The list includes antidepressants, antipsychotics, amphetamines, opioids, and St. John’s wort.
Check with your healthcare provider before taking SAMe, especially if you already take any of the medications or supplements listed above.
