What is SAMe?
SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine or S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine) is a naturally occurring compound found in all human tissue and organs. It is a building block necessary for the production of many compounds produced by your body, and is used in over 35 different biochemical reactions. SAMe actually donates a part of itself to form these new compounds through a process called methylation, or transmethylation. SAMe is one of the few dietary supplements on the market today that combines the benefits of several nutrients into one, because the body uses the substances produced from SAMe for numerous body processes, including detoxification.
Are there any side effects associated with SAMe supplementation?
SAMe is a very safe dietary supplement. Minor side effects include nausea and gastrointestinal irritation, probably due to its sulfur content. But these were only noted at very high doses (1200-1600mg), and the symptoms diminished with continued use. Persons suffering from manic depression (bipolar disorder) should not take SAMe without prior consultation with their physician. If you experience any of these symptoms, it may not be the right supplement for you. The mineral Sulfur is not related to sulfa drugs or allergies related to sulfa drugs.
Why is the dosage information with SAMe supplements so confusing?
SAMe in its pure form as found in human cells has a very short life span and is rapidly metabolized into other necessary compounds as needed, which is good! However, this natural form does not allow for the production of a stable, effective dietary supplement. It took scientists years to come up with a way to stabilize SAMe so it could be manufactured as a dietary supplement. It was finally discovered that SAMe (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine) must be manufactured in a stable salt form (for example, as S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine Disulfate Tosylate) to prevent rapid degradation. In this form, you will actually get 200mg of SAMe compounded in a stable form. However, only half of this 200mg is pure SAMe (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine). Please note that this salt is not a significant source of sodium.
Are there size or color variations with your SAMe products, and should SAMe be refrigerated?
Because of the nature of SAMe, NOW takes special precautions when packaging this product. Extensive stability testing was performed in order to create this uniquely stabilized product. We bottle SAMe in amber glass bottles to keep light exposure to a minimum, and keep SAMe products refrigerated in our plant until shipping. It is not necessary to keep SAMe refrigerated after purchase, but it will extend the shelf life of the product. The bottle should be kept closed between uses, away from excessive heat and moisture.
Because SAMe is a natural product, there can be variations in color, usually ranging from white to pale yellow or tan. This is normal and does not affect the quality of the product. You may also notice a difference in tablet size between different potencies. SAMe is available in 100mg, 200mg, and 400mg enteric-coated tablets, all coming in different sizes.