SAM-e: A Product Review and Possibly More Information Than You Wanted

Of all the honors I've received in my lifetime, being chosen as a NatureMade SAM-e reviewer was probably the healthiest. The product is being marketing as a supplement to enhance happy feelings and well-being. According to the package, it has been clinically proven to help with joint discomfort. Since the box only gave a brief description of the benefits, and mentioned no side effects, I thought I should research the product a little more.

According to Nutrasanus.com, research that indicates SAM-e may benefit those with osteoarthritis and depression, and there are also studies indicating it helps those with fibromyalgia and liver cirrohsis. All the benefits of SAM-e are still under investigation.

An article on raysahelian.com warns that taking too high a dose of SAM-e may cause anxiety, mania, or manic depression, and suggests once you have established an optimal level of the amino acid and ATP combination, you should only need a low maintenance dose to continue benefiting from it. I'm not sure how you're supposed to know you're operating at optimal levels unless you go manic panic on yourself and realize you probably took too many capsules. Perhaps the assumption is you're able to do figure out how to balance supplements with a doctor's help. (Oh, that's funny. Doctors don't even know what prescription drugs will do to you.)

This same site claims SAM-e can help boost brain power and aid Altzheimer's disease patients. Well, who among us couldn't use THAT? I like to believe that as I ingest the last of these capsules, I will be struck with a genius idea that will make me a million, billionaire. I will then purchase Gather and use it to rule the world. See? It may be working already. I never plan ahead. Get ready to serve me.

Side effects listed on both sites ranged from rashes to headaches to upset stomach, diarrhea, and gas, the usual stuff when it comes to side effects - in other words, they don't really know because anything can cause those maladies. Was it the SAM-e or the vegetarian chili that made me fart? The mystery will linger.

The recent months have been rather stressful and depressing, so I figured trying SAM-e couldn't do much damage. This is also the time of year when the weather in this area goes schitzo and I find myself aching like the day after moving a pack rat's 10 year treasure trove. Those who know me know that I don't engage in activities that would cause that kind of hurting on a daily basis.

It took about a week or so before I noticed any differences. I cannot say SAM-e enhanced my feel-goodiness, but I am still dealing with the loss of my dear canine companion. Anything that can ease that hurt, I would be suspicious of and suspect as habit forming and illegal. This is one of those times in life you're supposed to feel depressed about for a while - that is if your dog was truly your best friend. I am not a believer in the theory we must be even and happy all the time. Moods can be good, if only to strike fear in the hearts of mine enemies.

To address the "joint comfort" claim, I have noticed less discomfort in my joints. This surprised me. I didn't think anything could help with seasonal aches except moving to a stable climate. Most notably, my elbows and hands have taken the seasonal mania much better this year. My knees are not the enemy this spring.

I should add the Nutrasanus website notes that folic acid and B-12 are required for the body to utilize SAM-e effectively. That's not a problem for me since I have been taking a multi-B supplement for years to prevent my last nerve from snapping. This could also be a reason SAM-e seems to have helped with the joint discomfort this spring.

I've stuck with taking 1 dose of SAM-e each day, though the instructions on the box advise boosting the dosage gradually until you feel maximum benefits are achieved. Perhaps if I was in a deep funk for an extended period of time for no reason, I would consider upping the dosage, but there are other natural supplements that work faster for me when it comes to relieving the blues. They know who they are.

I'm really hoping the liver benefits of SAM-e are real. One study showed that a group of people with cirrhosis who took SAM-e for 2 years lowered their death rate by 50 percent. I'm just 2 months from my annual 3 day bacchanalia and my liver could probably use a pep talk during training season (the other 11 months of the year.)

Like many supplements, SAM-e is still being evaluated and tested. What it really boils down to though is how it affects each individual. We are all made up of unique chemical combinations, and there is not one thing that can be ingested by everyone that will affect each individual the same way.

SAM-e is not inexpensive, which may prevent many from trying it. The average price seems to be about $40 for a 36 day supply of this particular brand. As with any kind of supplement, do your homework and keep realistic goals in mind. What might be a miracle cure for one person may be worthless to another.