Creator of neurotransmitters, mother of antioxidants, strengthener of cells - it's hard to believe that one amino acid is capable of so many physiological feats. S-Adenosyl methionine - or "Sam-e," as it's affectionately called - has been shown benefit for those suffering from a variety of conditions, such as depression, osteoarthritis and liver disease. But there are some guidelines you should know before you decide to take SAM-e. Consult our other article to learn more about the benefits of taking SAM-e, as well as some of the risks. Read on for tips on choosing an effective SAM-e supplement and properly planning your supplement routine.
- Consult your doctor first. SAM-e supplements aren't recommended for everyone, and may carry serious risk for some (such as those with bipolar disorder or those who take certain prescription medications). Informed by the latest research results, your doctor can help you determine whether you stand to benefit from taking SAM-e and how to safely use SAM-e supplements.
- Not all SAM-e tablets are created equal. But one feature remains consistent: high cost. For the price you pay, make sure your SAM-e product is the best available and stored properly in your home.
- Enteric-coated pills. Go for the enteric-coated pills in foil or blister-pack packaging, to guard against breakdown and inactivity of the fragile SAM-e.
- Choose the butanedisulfonate form. Several common forms of the SAM-e supplement are available on the market, but butanedisulfonate provides the most stability and delivers more SAM-e to our systemic circulation.
- Keep in a cool environment. Make sure there isn't a lot of moisture where you keep your SAM-e supplements either.
- Don't open the foil or blister-pack until you are ready to take the SAM-e.
- For optimal absorption, do not take SAM-e at mealtime. Instead, take SAM-e on an empty stomach, either an hour or two before meals or several hours afterward.
- Dosage. Suggested doses of SAM-e generally range from 200 mg a day to 1600 mg. However, different people will react to SAM-e in different ways; some may experience headache, feelings of anxiety or insomnia after taking even a moderate dose. Once again, talk to your doctor as you determine your proper dosage. High doses of SAM-e are unsafe. Bearing in mind that SAM-e tends to linger and accumulate in your system for a period of a few days, you should reduce your daily intake after a therapeutic dose, or perhaps skip a day entirely between doses. Start off with small doses.
- Companion supplements. SAM-e may be responsible for many positive developments in your body, but it also breaks down to form a different amino acid - homocysteine, which in high levels can elevate your risk of stroke and heart attack. To counteract the escalation of homocysteine, take a B-complex vitamin supplement during your SAM-e treatment.
It's healthy to approach any new supplement with caution. The future of SAM-e appears bright and promising as the medical community conducts further research. Talk to your doctor before taking SAM-e supplements.
Delicious
Digg
Google
Yahoo