SAM-e: Improving Joint Function

[Guest guest]

Thought this might help someone out there. It came in my Dr.Koop weekly newsletter.

Vitacost.com - For Your Health Newsletter

SAM-e: Improving Joint Function, Mood & Much MoreBy S. phs, M.D.President, Vitacost.comThe Vioxx saga continues. For those of you who have not been following the news, Vioxx, the blockbuster arthritis drug from Merck, was voluntarily recalled by the pharmaceutical company on September 30, 2004, after a clinical study showed that users were at an increased risk of suffering heart attack or stroke. It has been estimated that Vioxx may have led to more than 27,000 heart attacks and cardiac deaths before it was removed from the market. Merck has estimated that it expects lawsuits from upwards of 16,000 customers, although the number could be much higher. The tort attorneys are licking their chops. Merck, which has been around since the early 1900s, faces the real possibility that this "mega"-lawsuit could actually bankrupt the company. These comments were mentioned in a recent article in New York Magazine. Although Bextra and Celebrex, the two other COX-2 inhibitors, are for the time being considered "safe," I would not be surprised if, at some point down the road, these drugs possibly suffered a similar fate as Vioxx. For the tens of millions of arthritis sufferers in this country, the treatment options have now become much more limited. There is clearly uncertainty about the remaining two COX-2 inhibitors, Bextra and Celebrex. The other drug options are the typical non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Unfortunately, these drugs are fraught with tremendous side effects, including significantly increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney and liver failure, and even congestive heart failure. There is, however, a tremendous alternative that I would like to share with you.

There was a study published earlier this year in the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. Sixty-one adults over the age of forty with a history of osteoarthritis of the knee were enrolled in a study to compare the difference between Celebrex and a nutrient known as S-adenosyl-l-methionine, commonly known as SAM-e. The study was randomized and double-blinded, with half of the group receiving SAM-e 1,200 mg daily and the other half group receiving full-strength Celebrex 200 mg a day for a total of sixteen weeks. The results were quite amazing. In the first month of the study, the Celebrex group showed a reduction in pain that was statistically significant. However, by the second month, those patients taking SAM-e had a similar reduction in the level of pain compared to the group being treated with Celebrex. It was concluded that SAM-e had a slower onset of action, but it was as effective as Celebrex in the management of symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.

SAM-e is an interesting nutrient. It was first discovered in Italy over fifty years ago. Soon thereafter, it became extremely popular throughout Europe, and only in the last few years has it been available in the United States. The exact mechanism as to how SAM-e diminishes pain in osteoarthritis is not clearly known. There is some evidence that suggests that it may reduce inflammation, as well as stimulating production of certain proteins to improve joint function. SAM-e, however, has also been shown in other clinical trials to have benefits for depression, headaches, and even fibromyalgia. SAM-e was even the subject of discussion in an entire symposium from the prestigious American Journal of Medicine in the 1980s. SAMe also has benefits for:

Brain Metabolism. SAM-e methylation reactions are involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, such as L-dopa and dopamine, and their related hormones, epinephrine and phosphatidylcholine (a component of lecithin).

Longevity. Methylation of DNA appears to be important in the suppression of errors in DNA replication. Demethylation of DNA is considered a contributor to the aging process. Proper methylation, through substances such as SAM-e, positively influences longevity.

Liver. SAM-e metabolism supports the synthesis of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione-dependent enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase), which are powerful antioxidants that are also important for liver function.

As you probably know, the Nutraceutical Sciences Institute (NSI) line of products has been rapidly expanding over the last few years. We will not, however, come out with a product until we know it is absolutely the best on the market. For the last couple of years, we have been searching for a SAM-e product that we would be proud to include in the NSI family of products. Well, I am extremely happy to announce that the long search is over. NSI has now released SAM-e 400, a European-made, pharmaceutical grade, stabilized product, consisting of a full 400 mg elemental SAM-e from 800 mg of SAM-e tosylate disulfate. Additionally, we have released SAM-e 200, a full 200 mg elemental SAM-e from 400 mg of SAM-e tosylate disulfate. SAM-e 400 and SAM-e 200 are manufactured under low temperature and low humidity, and are enteric-coated to ensure a biologically active product. SAM-e is a chiral molecule and therefore consists of two forms: (S,S) SAM-e and (R,S) SAM-e. The biologically active form is the (S,S) structure, while the (R,S) structure is biologically inactive.

NSI's SAM-e is made naturally by microbiological fermentation and then specially processed without solvents to preserve 68-80% (S,S) SAM-e, the highest active level available.

And like all of our other NSI products, not only are they of the best quality, but the best value, as well. For example, we offer 30 tablets of 400 mg SAM-e for the incredible price of $20.95. Meanwhile, 60 tablets of 200 mg SAM-e cost only $21.95. This is more than 50% below the typical retail price of other SAM-e products on the market, many of which are of inferior quality.

Just remember that when using this product for arthritis or any other conditions listed above, the response is not immediate. It can take weeks or a few months to see benefits. Also, SAM-e is very synergistic and safe to use with NSI's ArthriPower and glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM joint health products. In addition, I would refer you back to a recent newsletter that I wrote about other natural options for healthy joints.