Depressed? Just ask for SAMe

[Guest guest]

from http://appliedergogenics.blogspot.com

I love SAMe

Depressed? Just ask for SAMe

S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) is a metabolite of the essential amino acid,

L-methionine. It is produced naturally in the body, and plays a pivotal role in

a number of important reactions in the body. SAMe works by donating a one-carbon

methyl group in a process called transmethylation. As such, it's a primary

methyl donor of the human body. This means that SAMe is vital to the production

of a number of substances produced in the body, including DNA, RNA,

phospholipids, creatine, melatonin, and other substances. The methylation of DNA

is critical for a process called gene silencing. This gene silencing helps to

suppress the onset of cancer by stopping the activity of certain genes. SAMe

also acts to help synthesize phosphatidlycholine in the body, a substance that

plays an important structural role in cell membranes, and is also involved in

the production of acetylcholine in the brain, which is vital for memory and

learning functions. SAMe also helps to maintain chromosome structure through

contributing a methyl group needed to produce histones. L-carnitine is produced

from methylated lysine residues, so SAMe is involved here, too. Without SAMe,

your body woundn't produce epinephrine, creatine, melatonin, glutathione, or the

amino acids taurine and cysteine.

Supplemental SAMe is best ingested on an empty stomach using enterically coated

tablets to prevent premature destruction of SAMe in the gut. it reaches peak

blood levels in about 3 to 5 hours.Unfortunately, a large amount of ingested

SAMe is broken down in the liver following oral ingestion. One thing that's

important to keep in mind is that SAMe is converted into a potentially toxic

amino acid byproduct called homocysteine. On the other hand, this effect is

preventable by also ingesting vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid, which activate

enzymes that convert homocysteine into a harmless, rapidly excreted form.

Because of its beneficial effect on brain neurotransmitters, SAMe produces an

antidepressant effect in the brain. Studies show that in this respect, SAMe is

as effective as tricyclic antidepressants, but unlike the drugs, doesn't produce

as many side effects. In addition, while drugs can take 4-6 weeks to begin

working, SAMe starts to work in about a week. A new study just found that when

SAMe is provided in a dose of 800 mgs twice daily to people who had not

responded to drug antidepressants, most of the subjects did show marked

improvement in their depressive symptoms.Other studies show that SAMe may help

in preventing Alzheimer's disease, and prevent mood disturbances in those

afflicted with the disease. But those with bipolar disease should avoid using

SAMe, since it may increase the mania portion of the disease.

Another use for SAMe may be to treat liver disease. Levels of SAMe are depleted

in liver disease, and SAMe is known to help preserve the fluidity of liver cell

membranes. It helps to restore depleted levels of glutathione, a major

antioxidant and detoxifying factor in the liver. Studies show that SAMe may help

releive cholestasis, a slowdown of bile flow in the liver usually caused by

liver inflammation. This is a common side effect of high dose oral anabolic

steroid usage. Through increasing glutathione levels in the liver, SAMe may

prevent or reverse liver toxicity caused by various drugs,alcohol, and toxic

chemicals.

SAMe also provides potent anti-inflammatory effects that are coomparable to some

drugs.While the drugs work faster than SAMe to relieve pain,SAMe can match the

effects of drugs over time. For this purpose, larger doses of SAMe are required,

usually in the range of 1,200-1,600 milligrams daily, and this can be quite

expensive. But when used in smaller doses, such as 200-400 milligrams daily,

SAMe may work synergistically with other joint nutrients, such as glucosamine

and chondroitin to help protect joints.

SAMe rarely produces side effects in doses up to 1,600 milligrams daily.

Possible rare side effects include gastrointestinal upset, anxiety, insomnia,

and hypomania. Good supplemental forms include SAMe tosyls and SAMe 1,4

butanedisulfonate. The tablets should always be enteric coated, and kept very

dry, since exposure to moisture rapidly degrades SAMe. SAMe usually comes in 200

milligram tablets, with a recommended dose range of 400 to 1,600 milligrams

daily in divided doses. You use lower doses for joint pain, and higher doses for

the antidepressant effect. If it works for you, you'll know in about two weeks.

At that time, you can reduce the dose to half and still get the benefits. Again,

it should be taken on an empty stomach about an hour prior to meals.

Papakostas G, et al. S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) augmentation of serotonin

reuptake inhibitors for antidepressant nonresponders with major depressive

disorder: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial.Am J Psychiatry 2010: in

press. Regards,

Vergel

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003E3RYKY

[Guest guest]

Be sure to read the entire article carefully, especially the following:But those with bipolar disease should avoid using SAMe, since it may increase the mania portion of the disease.As a maniac -- ;-) -- I can't take SAMe for this reason. Other than that, I've heard numerous positive things about the supplement.Regards,Nick--

Nick

6811 Old Canton Road, Apt. 1008

Ridgeland, MS 39157

601-991-1164

thenick@...

http://nicknicholas.net--- On Sun, 8/22/10, Vergel <nelsonvergel@...> wrote:

from http://appliedergogenics.blogspot.comI love SAMeDepressed? Just ask for SAMe<article snipped for sake of brevity>