Pronounced “sammy,” SAMe is a chemical that is sold as a dietary supplement (and, in Europe, as a prescription medication) and has been studied extensively as a possible treatment for osteoarthritis and depression. Short for S-adenosyl methionine, SAMe is produced naturally, and small amounts are found in vir tually every part of the body,

SAMe plays a role in the immune system and helps produce and break down mood-controlling brain chemicals such as serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine. It also participates in making cartilage, a tough tissue that connects to the bones, lines the joints, and helps provide structure to the body.

However, the body produces less SAMe as it ages, and scientists believe that taking a supplement of the chemical may help fight the symptoms of certain conditions and diseases. It may help alleviate pain from osteoarthritis. Preliminary research also suggests that SAMe also has potential for treating mild to moderate depression and seems to begin working more quickly and just as effectively as antidepressant medications without the side effects frequently associated with these drugs, such as headaches, sleeplessness, and sexual dysfunction. It is not clear how SAMe relieves depression, so doctors advise against taking it at the same time as antidepressants. More research about its safety and effectiveness, especially over long periods of time, is needed.

SAMe is most widely available as capsules, although injections have also been studied in clinical trials. It appears safe in doses of up to 1,600 milligrams a day, for up to 6 weeks. Side effects may include nausea, skin rashes, dry mouth, or a hot sensation or itchiness of the ear. This supplement may lower blood sugar levels, and patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia should use SAMe with caution.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

  1. Early studies suggest that SAMe may also be helpful in treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, fibromyalgia, and cholestasis—a buildup of bile in the liver.
  2. SAMe also occurs in plants and other animals.
  3. Although SAMe is often marketed as a “natural” cure for depression and arthritis, it is in fact a synthetic version of a chemical made in the body. Some experts believe that this makes it a drug, not a supplement, and that it should be regulated as a drug.