Ademetionine, also known as SAMe, is a specific
form of the amino acid methionine known as S-adenosyl-
methionine. The body manufactures it, and it is found
in most tissues of the body. Ademetionine is essential for
the formation of glutathione, a water-soluble peptide that
helps the body fight free radicals. SAMe also helps the
liver to process fats (protecting against a fatty liver) and is
believed to play a role in protecting the body from heart
disease. SAMe is a methyl donor, which means that it
provides other molecules with methyl groups that are
critical to their metabolism. In general, ademetionine
raises the level of functioning of other amino acids in the
body. Severe deficiencies of SAMe can cause problems
with other important body functions, such as secretion of
important hormones like melatonin, which plays a key
role in regulating sleep and circadian rhythms.
General use
The synthetic formula of ademetionine has been
hailed as an anti-aging formula because it is such a powerful
antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that counteract
the damaging effects of free radicals in human tissue.
Ademetionine has been widely popularized recently, but it
is not a recent discovery. In fact it was discovered in Italy
in 1952, and has been widely researched over the past few
decades. In the 1970s, Italian researchers investigating its
properties as a treatment for schizophrenia discovered
that it also had definite antidepressant properties. Ademetionine
became a useful treatment only during the 1990s,
however, when scientists found a way to stabilize it for research
purposes. After that technological development,
ademetionine could be sold as a medical supplement.
Ademetionine has been used successfully to treat depression,
arthritis, schizophrenia, liver disease, peripheral
neuropathy, and other illnesses. Many people who
have these illnesses, particularly schizophrenia, peripheral
neuropathy, and myelopathy, may have low blood levels
of folic acid, vitamin B12, and certain amino acids,
particularly SAMe and those with which it interacts.
Pain relief
The effectiveness of ademetionine has been studied
in clinical trials with human subjects. One six-week study
compared SAMe to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
(TENS), which is a popular form of pain relief in
Europe. SAMe proved to be a more effective treatment.
Liver function
SAMe has been found to restore normal liver function
in patients suffering from a variety of liver disease,
both alcohol induced and other. It has also been found to
reverse liver damage resulting from the ingestion of various
drugs and chemical agents (paracetamol and others).
Depression
Several clinical trials found that ademetionine has a
rapid effect on depression. Within double blind trials,
ademetionine was found to have a markedly greater effect
than placebos, with only mild side effects. Although
the substance seems to work surprisingly well on most
forms of depression, a study done at Northwick Park
Hospital in Harrow, England, suggests that it is more effective
for endogenous depression (depression that does
not have an obvious external cause) than for neurotic depression
(depression that has an identifiable cause).
These findings may be related to the fact that patients
suffering from endogenous forms of depression are
often found to have low levels of this amino acid. This is
a particularly exciting discovery, because endogenous
depression is the most difficult form to treat. Ademetionine
was found to be particularly helpful to postmenopausal
women suffering from depression. Some
practitioners are suggesting the use of ademetionine in
conjunction with other antidepressants to shorten the period
between the beginning of antidepressant treatment
and the patient’s sense of improvement. Since ademetionine
generally has fewer side effects than many antidepressants,
it may be preferable to use it alone.
Peripheral neuropathy
Ademetionine has been used successfully to treat
cases of peripheral neuropathy that had not previously
responded to treatment with vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin).
This is an important discovery, because peripheral
neuropathy is difficult to treat.
Migraine
Ademetionine has been found to be a useful
painkiller. Over the long term, it may work less rapidly
than some other analgesics, but it does not have the high
incidence of gastrointestinal disturbance that results
from taking ibuprofen, for example. Ademetionine may
be the answer for patients who also suffer from GI tract
diseases and cannot safely take other analgesics.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is characterized by persistent muscle
pain and aching that has no apparent cause. One Scandinavian
study noted that patients with fibromyalgia who
took SAMe showed some improvement.
Osteoarthritis
Studies have shown that osteoarthritis patients not
only experienced less pain while taking ademetionine,
but that the depression that often accompanies the disease
was less evident. Ademetionine is also less toxic
than the allopathic drugs used to treat such diseases.
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases
Ademetionine has been shown to treat nerve damage
and depression sometimes as effectively as standard
pharmaceutical drugs without serious side effects. Some
believe that SAMe may increase the effectiveness of levodopa,
which is the drug most often prescribed for
Parkinson’s disease.
Preparations
Ademetionine is available in preparations for oral,
intravenous, and intramuscular administration. Treatment
with ademetionine should always be monitored by
a qualified practitioner.
For liver function: 200 mg of ademetionine can be
taken twice daily, gradually raising the dosage to 400 mg
three times daily. Patients with peripheral neuropathy
have been given dosages as high as 1600 mg daily.
For depression the following program may be effective:
200 mg taken twice daily for the first two days. For the
third to the ninth day, dosage may be increased to 400 mg
twice daily, and for days ten to nineteen, 400 mg should be
taken three times daily. After the twentieth day, the dosage
should be stabilized at 400 mg four times daily. Some practitioners
recommend doses as high as 1600 mg daily.
Migraine and fibromyalgia sufferers can take 200
mg of ademetionine twice daily, increasing to 600 mg
doses. Osteoarthritis patients may be advised to take as
much as 1200 mg daily for effective treatment.
Precautions
Patients with serious diseases such as those mentioned
above should seek the help of a qualified practitioner.
It is significant, however, that no patient has ever
dropped out of studies related to ademetionine testing due
to side effects, even though it has been administered in
high doses and in all forms, i.e., orally, intravenously, and
intramuscularly. In addition, antidepressants, particularly
the tricyclics, may cause accidental or intentional overdoses.
SAMe is also free of the hazard of potential addiction.
One possible drawback to ademetionine treatment is
its cost. A month’s supply may cost between $60 and
$100. This is about the same as the cost of many antidepressants,
but ademetionine is less likely to be covered
by medical insurance.
Side effects
SAMe is not suitable for patients with bipolar disorder,
as it may amplify the manic phase of the condition.
The only side effects observed with SAMe in clinical
trials were mild gastrointestinal distress.
In patients who are deficient in the B vitamins, notably
B6 and B12, there is a danger that SAMe may break
down to form homocysteine, an amino acid that has been
linked to heart disease and stroke. If the patient’s levels
of B vitamins are maintained, however, the body will be
able to convert the homocysteine back into methionine
and glutathione, and the use of SAMe will not increase
the risk of heart disease.
Interactions
Ademetionine should not be used in conjunction
with prescription medications for depression, as it increases
their effects. It should also not be taken with
MAO inhibitors, as it may produce a toxic reaction. Lastly,
it should not be given to pregnant or lactating women.
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