SAMe Fights Depression

S-adenosyl methionine—a.k.a. SAMe—is a compound the body produces from methionine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, and adenosine triphosphate , a.k.a. ATP, the body’s energy molecule. To date, at least 40 clinical trials have been conducted on SAMe directly and in combination with traditional antidepressant medications, with data showing SAMe’s value in naturally restoring a healthy mood.

George I. Papakostas of Massachusetts General Hospital and colleagues enrolled 73 depressive adults in a six-week study, in which participants received either 800 milligrams of SAMe twice daily or a placebo. The team found that SAMe, in combination with standard depression treatment, was more effective than antidepressant treatment alone in improving measures of depression and remission rates of patients with significant clinical depression. Further, SAMe–treated subjects had a greater remission rate and response to treatment than the placebo group.

SAMe was well tolerated, and no adverse reactions were reported. The researchers concluded that SAMe “can be an effective, well-tolerated, and safe adjunctive treatment [for] depressive disorder.”

Papakostas, G.I., et al. (2010). 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. 167:942-948.

—Dr. Bob Goldman
www.WorldHealth.net

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