Description
S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine
Active Lipotrope form of Methionine (Methionine-derivative which also contains Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)) normally manufactured within the body but also manufactured synthetically.


Health Benefits of SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine

Detoxification
Supplemental SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine counteracts the Anxiety and Depression commonly experienced by persons with Drug Dependence during the detoxification and rehabilitation period [scientific research - humans: 1,200 mg of SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine per day significantly reduced the psychological stress encountered by former Opiate users during their detoxification period].

Digestive System
Supplemental SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine stimulates the flow of Bile.

Immune System
-  Persons afflicted with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have low endogenous Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) levels of SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine and for this reason supplemental SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine is under investigation as a potential treatment for AIDS [scientific research - humans].
 -  Supplemental SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine helps to protect against Liver Cancer in persons exposed to Liver carcinogens [scientific research - rats].

Metabolism
Supplemental SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine enhances the health of and normalizes the function of the Liver:

-    Supplemental SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine inhibits Alcohol-induced Liver damage [scientific research- monkeys]:
-    Supplemental SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine can prevent and cure Cirrhosis.
-    Supplemental SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine can prevent and cure Fatty Liver.
-    Supplemental SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine reduces the elevated Bilirubin levels that are associated with Gilbert’s Syndrome [scientific research - humans: 400 mg of SAM administered 3 times per day (=1,200 mg per day) results in a significant decreases in elevated Bilirubin levels].
-    SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine functions in over 40 biochemical reactions within the body - it functions as a Methyl Donor.

Musculoskeletal System
-   Supplemental SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine enhances the differentiation of Chondrocytes into Chondroblasts (and Chondrocytes) [scientific research - in vitro].
-   Supplemental SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (800 mg per day) alleviates Fibromyalgia [scientific research - humans: 800 mg of supplemental SAM per day caused a significant reduction in the number of trigger points, reduction in Fatigue, reduction in morning stiffness and improvements in Mood in Fibromyalgia patients].
-    Supplemental SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine alleviates Osteoarthritis [scientific research].
-    Supplemental SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine alleviates Fibrositis [scientific research].

Nervous System
-    Persons afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease exhibit severely decreased levels of SAM within their Brains (indicating that supplemental SAM may be highly beneficial to Alzheimer’s Disease patients) [scientific research - humans] [further note: it was previously (prior to 1995) assumed that Alzheimer’s Disease patients had excessive accumulation of SAM - this assumption has now proven erroneous].
-    SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine is an essential factor for the regeneration of Axons on Neurons following injury and is also essential for the formation of Myelin Sheaths that surround Axons [scientific research].
-    Supplemental SAM alleviates all forms of Depression [scientific research - humans: many studies have confirmed that SAM is significantly (approximately 15%) more effective in the treatment of Depression than traditional Pharmaceutical Anti-Depressants for the treatment of Depression]:
-    SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine alleviates Major Depression [scientific research - humans].
-    SAM S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine is especially effective in treating Postpartum Depression.
-    Supplemental SAM is presently under investigation as a potential treatment for Parkinson’s Disease [scientific research - humans: Parkinson’s Disease patients have endogenous levels of SAM that are only 60% of the levels of those of healthy subjects].


S-Adenosylmethionine Enhances the Function of these Substances

ENDOGENOUS SUBSTANCES
Amino Acids
-    SAM is essential for the endogenous production of Glutathione within the Liver.
-    SAM is essential for the conversion of Putrescine to Spermidine.
-    SAM is essential for the conversion of Spermidine to Spermine.

Hormones
SAM is an essential cofactor for the conversion of N-Acetylserotonin to Melatonin.

Lipids
SAM increases the endogenous production of Phosphatidylserine (PS).

Minerals
SAM is an essential cofactor for the endogenous production of all Sulfur-containing compounds within the body.

Neurotransmitters
-    SAM improves the ability of Neurotransmitters to bind to their respective Neurotransmitter Receptors.
-    SAM is an essential cofactor for the conversion of Norepinephrine (NE) to Adrenaline.

EXOGENOUS SUBSTANCES
Pharmaceutical Drugs
Supplemental SAM accelerates the onset of action of Imipramine in the treatment of Depression [scientific research].

These Substances Facilitate the Endogenous Production of SAM

Alkaloids
Betaine (especially the Trimethylglycine (TMG) form of Betaine) increases endogenous SAM levels [scientific research - humans].

Amino Acids
Methionine is the precursor for the endogenous production of SAM:

-    The conversion of Methionine to SAM requires the presence of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and is catalyzed by the S-Adenosylmethionine Synthetase (SAM Synthetase) enzyme.
-    Half of the total Methionine content of the body is used in the Liver for the production of SAM.

Carbohydrates
Ribose is a component of the SAM molecule.

Enzymes
S-Adenosylmethionine Synthetase (SAM Synthetase) catalyzes the conversion of Methionine to (SAM):
-    More precisely, SAM Synthetase + Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) + Water + L-Methionine = Orthophosphate + Pyrophosphate + S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM).

Nucleic Compounds
-  Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is an essential cofactor for the endogenous conversion of Methionine to S-Adenosylmethionine.
-  Adenine is a component of the SAM molecule (as part of Adenosine Triphosphate).

Vitamins
-   Folic Acid facilitates the synthesis of endogenous SAM.
-   Vitamin B6 facilitates the synthesis of endogenous SAM.
-   Vitamin B12 facilitates the synthesis of endogenous SAM.

S-Adenosylmethionine Counteracts the Toxic Effects of these Substances

Pharmaceutical Drugs
Supplemental SAM reduces the death-rate from overdoses of Paracetamol [scientific research: when rats are given supplemental SAM within one hour of Paracetamol overdose, death can be prevented in 100% of cases; if supplemental SAM is administered within 5 hours of Paracetamol overdose, the death rate is significantly reduced].

These Substances Interfere with S-Adenosylmethionine

Recreational Drugs
Excessive Alcohol (ethanol) consumption decreases the body’s production of SAM.

Toxic Effects of S-Adenosylmethionine
SAM is regarded as a very safe substance - the side-effects mentioned below occur in only a minority of individuals.

Nervous System
-  Persons afflicted with Manic Depression should not use supplemental S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) - as SAM’s Antidepressant properties may exacerbate the Manic phase in some Manic Depression patients.
-   Supplemental SAM causes Nausea in a very small number of persons.

Bioavailability
Early forms of supplemental SAM were deemed to be poorly absorbed orally, however more recently developed “salts” and enteric-coated versions of SAM are believed to be as bioavailable as intravenously-administered SAM.
Generally, the longer that supplemental SAM usage is continued, the more beneficial the results.

Dosage Recommendations

Commercial Availability of SAM Supplements

Supplemental SAM is available (within the USA) from some specialized nutrient suppliers in the form of 200 mg tablets.
Supplemental SAM is available from some international mail-order pharmacies - in the future it is believed that SAM will be available in some countries as a nutritional supplement (it is a natural, non-hormonal chemical within the body).
SAM supplements are produced from purified Yeast.

Chemical Data
Molecular Formula:    C15H23N6O5

SAM (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine) Products