S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe)

S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe: pronounced “sammy”)

SAMe is a physiological substance synthesised by the body from the essential amino acid methionine and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In biochemical terms, SAMe is the strongest of all methyl donors.

Methylation

Most people have never heard of methylation, but we would all be dead without it. Like oxidation, methylation is a biochemical process that involves the transfer of a methyl group, consisting of one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms (CH3), from one molecule to another. This does not sound particularly exciting, but the end result is a matter of life and death.

Every organic substance on earth contains carbon, and when carbon atoms move, things change. To understand methylation, you have to view the human body as if it were a car. Methylation is the spark plug. Without it, everything stops because methylation is involved in more than a hundred biochemical reactions in our bodies.

To briefly mention a few of its actions, methylation is involved in DNA repair and forms part of the body’s ability to repair damaged cells before they turn cancerous. Methylation of proteins is essential to allow communication between cells by activating membrane receptors, while methylation of phospholipids makes it possible to keep cell membranes supple and permeable, which is vital to allow substances to be exchanged between cells. Methylation is necessary for production of our most important antioxidant: glutathione.

It also produces adrenaline from noradrenaline and melatonin from serotonin, and regulates a large proportion of brain activity. As well as the brain, the liver also uses methylation in its work of detoxifying the body. The effects of inadequate methylation can be seen in premature ageing, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, liver disorders and depression. SAMe is the only product that can promote methylation.

Since methylation activity tends to reduce with age, many specialists now think that this slowing of methylation contributes to the ageing process and to the development of many diseases. Indications: methylation.

SAMe and depression

A large number of clinical studies have been carried out on SAMe and these have shown its effectiveness in treating even severe depression, in patients who have not benefited from traditional anti-depressants. These studies have also made it possible to explain the mechanism of action of SAMe: it increases the levels of certain hormones called neurotransmitters which are found in the brain. noradrenaline (a natural stimulant), dopamine (responsible for feelings of well-being) and serotonin (which creates a natural sense of calm).

SAMe and melatonin

SAMe is vital for production of melatonin. In fact the synthesis of melatonin during the night depends on the synthesis of SAMe during the day. SAMe is vital to convert serotonin into melatonin. There is a circadian rhythm between SAMe and melatonin: when melatonin levels rise during the night, SAMe levels remain low, and when melatonin levels fall during the day, SAMe levels rise. If not enough SAMe is synthesised during the day, not enough melatonin will be synthesised at night. The essential role of melatonin, which regulates and controls our biological clocks, is well known: it improves sleep, stimulates the immune system and protects the central nervous system.

SAMe and the liver

SAMe increases production of glutathione, which plays an important part in the process of detoxification by the liver. It can be used to treat serious liver diseases like forms of hepatitis and cirrhosis. Its protective effect on the liver makes it the ideal nutritional supplement for people who drink alcohol.

SAMe and fibromyalgia

In 1991, in a clinical study involving 44 patients with fibromyalgia, the researchers observed significant improvements in terms of pain, tiredness, morning stiffness and mood in the subjects who were treated with SAME.

SAMe and osteoarthritis

SAMe (at a dose of 400 to 1200 mg per day) relieves pain just as effectively as drugs.

Usage tips

• The usual dose is 400 mg daily (one tablet 10 minutes before breakfast and before lunch).
• In some cases (mainly for pain), the dose should be doubled and 800 mg should be taken daily (four tablets per day).
• Improvement in symptoms normally occurs in less than 15 days. Remember that SAMe deals with the cause of the problem, so it is important not to stop taking it until the condition has completely resolved. There is no problem doing this, because SAMe has no risk of dependency and no side-effects.
• It must also be remembered that SAMe sometimes has to be used alongside other nutritional supplements to treat certain diseases: > For fibromyalgia :  combine with MODUCARE C ® > For osteoarthritis :  combine with GLUCOsamine > For depression :   S-Adenosylmethionine alone is effective in 70% of patients, which is a better result than antidepressant medication but without the side-effects.

Presentation

Bottle containing 30 capsules.