SAMe Benefits and Dosing

I received the following products in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. This post contains affiliate links.

  

Diagram of a SAMe molecule; image from Wikipedia

When you tell a doctor about symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression, many are too happy to pull out the prescription pad. What prescribing antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, what doctors fail to emphasize are the horrible withdrawal symptoms that many patients experience when trying to stop the medication, even when tapering down their doses. For some, the withdrawal symptoms are so severe that they resort to believing that they’ll be on the medication their whole life.

SAMe for Depression, Anxiety or Stress

S-adenosylmethionine, or SAMe (pronounced sam-ee) is a molecule that the body produces from the amino acid methionin and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for several of its functions. SAMe molecules in the body support methylation as they donate part of themselves to the tissues and organs in the body to promote cell repair and growth. It also helps the body maintain adequate levels of glutathione, an antioxidant. In individuals with an MTHFR mutation, naturally occurring SAMe in the body may not function as well as it should. 

In addition to cell repair and growth, SAMe forms important compounds in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine. When taken as a supplement, SAMe may help relieve symptoms of depression. According to MentalHealth America, many clinical trials have found SAMe to be as effective as some forms of antidepressants. Unlike prescription medications, SAMe does not produce unpleasant side effects or withdrawal symptoms if miss a dose or decide to stop taking it.

Other conditions that SAMe helps relieve the symptoms of include chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, liver disorders and some neurologic disorders.

How Much SAMe to Take

The amount of SAMe to take varies by person. It’s always best to start at a low dose and then taper up until you notice results. For example, start with a 200-milligram dose twice a day for a few weeks. If you’re your symptoms do not improve, take the supplement three times as day. Continue to taper up the dose as needed every few weeks. Work with your doctor to determine the best way to start taking SAMe.

When taking SAMe, take a vitamin B complex with it to avoid a buildup of homocysteine molecules.

Because SAMe can make you feel energetic, it’s best to take it earlier in the day. 

For the best absorption, take SAMe supplements with an enteric coating on an empty stomach. 

ALWAYS talk to your doctor before taking a new supplement. Keep in mind that SAMe may not be appropriate for those who take MAO inhibitor antidepressants or those who have bipolar disorder.

My Experience with SAMe

I recently had the opportunity to try BoostCeuticals SAM-e. Each capsule in the bottle has 500 milligrams of SAMe. I was interested in trying SAMe to help my body detox, as I have an MTHFR mutation. 

The first thing that I noticed when I opened the bottle was the smell—it smelled like rancid milk. I contacted a representative from the company about this issue and was told that the smell was natural because SAMe is sulfur-based. I have suspicion that capsules do not have an enteric coating, but did not confirm this with the company. The Whole Health Chicago website recommends that individuals take SAMe supplements that have an enteric coating. 

Instead of following the direction of taking two capsules three to six times a day, with a meal, I started at 500 milligrams once a day for a week and then tapered up to two pills a day. Most experts recommend that you take SAMe on an empty stomach so your body absorbs it better.

Unfortunately, I cannot say that I recommend the SAMe supplement from BoostCeuticals. For one, I did not notice a difference in how I felt while taking the supplement. I also feel as if the company should provide instructions on how to safely start taking SAMe if they are first-time users to prevent homocysteine toxicity. In addition, so many resources say to take SAMe on an empty stomach, so I’m not sure why BoostCeuticals says to take the supplement with a meal.

I am not a doctor or a medical professional. If you experience symptoms of depression, stress, anxiety or other conditions, discuss them with your physician. In addition, talk to your doctor about supplements of interest to learn how to take them safely.

 




I received the products mentioned in exchange for an unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links, meaning that I receive a small commission if you click on a product link and make a purchase through Amazon.com.