SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine) possesses anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and tissue-healing properties that may help protect the health of joints,^1,2 though the primary way in which SAMe reduces osteoarthritis symptoms is not known. A very large, though uncontrolled, trial (meaning that there was no comparison with placebo) demonstrated “very good” or “good” clinical effect of SAMe in 71% of over 20,000 osteoarthritis sufferers.³ In addition to this preliminary research, many double-blind trials have shown that SAMe reduces pain, stiffness, and swelling better than placebo and equal to drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen in people with osteoarthritis.^{4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11} These double-blind trials all used 1,200 mg of SAMe per day.

Lower amounts of oral SAMe have also produced reductions in the severity of osteoarthritis symptoms in preliminary clinical trials. A two-year, uncontrolled trial showed significant improvement of symptoms after two weeks at 600 mg SAMe daily, followed by 400 mg daily thereafter.¹² This amount was also used in a double-blind trial, but participants first received five days of intravenous SAMe.¹³ A review of the clinical trials on SAMe concluded that its efficacy against osteoarthritis was similar to that of conventional drugs but that patients tolerated it better.¹⁴

Intravenous SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) given to people with fibromyalgia reduced pain and depression in two double-blind trials;^15,16 but no benefit was seen in a short (ten-day) trial.¹⁷ Oral SAMe (800 mg per day for six weeks) was tested in one double-blind trial and significant beneficial effects were seen, such as reduced pain, fatigue, and stiffness, and improved mood.¹⁸

Preliminary research also suggests that oral supplements of SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) may reduce symptoms for some migraine sufferers.¹⁹

SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine) is a substance synthesized in the body that has recently been made available as a supplement. SAMe appears to raise levels of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter in mood regulation. Higher SAMe levels in the brain are associated with successful drug treatment of depression, and oral SAMe has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for depression in most,^20,21,22 but not all,²³ clinical trials. SAMe has been found to be effective both when used by itself and when used as add-on treatment to antidepressant medication.²⁴ Most trials used 1,600 mg of SAMe per day. While it does not seem to be as powerful as full applications of antidepressant medications²⁵ or St. John’s wort, SAMe’s effects are felt more rapidly, often within one week.²⁶

Preliminary research suggests that oral SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine), in amounts of 800 mg per day, may also increase sperm activity in infertile men.²⁷

SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) is another amino acid that has an impact on serotonin levels, and it has demonstrated significant antidepressant effects in clinical trials.^28,29,30 In both controlled and preliminary studies, SAMe has been shown to be helpful for the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder. However, some patients have switched from depression to mania while using SAMe at 500 to 1,600 mg daily.^30,32 This is a known side effect of other antidepressant medications.³³ The mania induced by SAMe resolved when the supplement was discontinued, and in one case resolved spontaneously while the patient continued taking SAMe.²⁸ Therefore, people with bipolar disorder should supplement with SAMe only under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.