S-adenosylmethionine
Also known as: SAM, SAMe, SAM-e, Adomet, Ademetionine, S-adenosyl-L-methionine
Overview
S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is a metabolite in the body that helps maintain several important biological reactions. Low levels of SAMe in the body are associated with several conditions, including liver conditions, chronic kidney disease (CKD), coronary artery disease (CAD), depression, and neurodegenerative conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Supplementation with SAMe might improve liver health and depression, but further high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm those benefits.
Benefits
S-adenosylmethionine regulates biological processes by transferring methyl groups, adenosyl groups, amino groups, and more to proteins, lipids, nucleic acids (e.g., DNA), and several other metabolites in many enzymatic reactions. Because several conditions — liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, and neurodegenerative conditions, etc. — are associated with low levels of S-adenosylmethionine in blood or tissues, supplementation might help restore normal levels. However, even if this is possible, the evidence supporting the therapeutic efficacy of supplementation with S-adenosylmethionine is weak.
How it works
Low levels of S-adenosylmethionine have been found in people with liver conditions (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, etc.), chronic kidney disease (CKD), coronary artery disease (CAD), depression, and some neurodegenerative conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. These observations suggest that supplementation could help treat such conditions. However, while S-adenosylmethionine has shown therapeutic effects in cell-culture experiments and animal models, its therapeutic benefit in humans is less convincing. Current evidence shows that S-adenosylmethionine might help treat depression and might improve liver health and survival in people with liver conditions like cirrhosis. However, due to the low quality of evidence, further large, double-blind randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify the clinical efficacy of S-adenosylmethionine.
Side effects
Formulations: Tablets taken orally, or liquid injected intravenously or intramuscularly. Range of dosages studied: 45 to 3200 milligrams per day (mg/day). Dosage recommendation: In some studies, the dosage range that has been found to improve depression is approximately 200 to 1,600 mg/day. In some studies, the dosage range that has been found to improve liver health in people with chronic liver conditions is approximately 800 to 1,200 mg/day. Take with food: S-adenosylmethionine can be taken with or without food.
Dosage
Despite the popularity of S-adenosylmethionine as a dietary supplement, the main drawback is the lack of high-quality evidence supporting its claimed clinical efficacy. Furthermore, some case studies of patients with underlying conditions have reported serious adverse effects, including manic episodes with suicidal thoughts. For this reason, people with bipolar disorder should consult their doctor before considering using S-adenosylmethionine. Other studies have reported side effects including headaches, insomnia, and nausea, while further studies have highlighted safety concerns when S-adenosylmethionine is consumed in excess. However, adverse effects are rare and side effects are uncommon, so S-adenosylmethionine is generally considered safe to consume.
FAQs
What is S-adenosylmethionine?
S-adenosylmethionine is made in the body from ATP and methionine and is produced, broken down, and regenerated in a series of steps known as the SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) cycle. S-adenosylmethionine circulates in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid, and its major role is as a “methyl donor”, where it provides a methyl group for important biological reactions in the body. However, it can also donate adenosyl groups, amino groups, and more in other enzymatic reactions.
What are S-adenosylmethionine’s main benefits?
Low levels of S-adenosylmethionine have been found in people with liver conditions (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, etc.), chronic kidney disease (CKD), coronary artery disease (CAD), depression, and some neurodegenerative conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. These observations suggest that supplementation could help treat such conditions. However, while S-adenosylmethionine has shown therapeutic effects in cell-culture experiments and animal models, its therapeutic benefit in humans is less convincing.
What are S-adenosylmethionine’s main drawbacks?
Despite the popularity of S-adenosylmethionine as a dietary supplement, the main drawback is the lack of high-quality evidence supporting its claimed clinical efficacy. Furthermore, some case studies of patients with underlying conditions have reported serious adverse effects, including manic episodes with suicidal thoughts. For this reason, people with bipolar disorder should consult their doctor before considering using S-adenosylmethionine.
How does S-adenosylmethionine work?
S-adenosylmethionine regulates biological processes by transferring methyl groups, adenosyl groups, amino groups, and more to proteins, lipids, nucleic acids (e.g., DNA), and several other metabolites in many enzymatic reactions. Because several conditions — liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, and neurodegenerative conditions, etc. — are associated with low levels of S-adenosylmethionine in blood or tissues, supplementation might help restore normal levels.
