S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM-e) was recognized as a miracle drug since its first appearance in 1999 in the US. Usually, it is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in the human body, functioning in the regulation of hormones and maintaining cell membranes. Many further studies on the compound focused foremostly on its benefits in fighting liver diseases, joint issues and depression. Although the results may not be conclusive the effects seem promising. Which is the best sam-e brand?
S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) is a compound that is naturally found in the body. This molecule is found naturally in the body but can also be made in laboratories. The supplement is also involved in the formation, activation, or breakdown of other chemicals in the body, including hormones, proteins, phospholipids, and certain drugs. This compound helps to produce and regulate hormones and maintain cell membranes. The SAM-e supplement is also used by mouth for depression, anxiety, heart disease, fibromyalgia, abdominal pain, osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, chronic lower back pain, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, slowing the ageing process, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
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Contents
- 1 What Is SAMe?
- 2 Best SAM-E Brand And Supplements
- 2.1 Jarrow Formulas SAM-e
- 2.2 Doctor’s Best SAM-e 400
- 2.3 Nature Made SAM-e Complete
- 2.4 Pure Encapsulation SAM-e
- 2.5 aSquared Nutrition Pure SAM-e
- 2.6 Vitamins Best Value SAM-e
- 2.7 Mental Refreshment Nutrition SAM-e
- 2.8 Cellfood SAM-e Liquid Formula
- 2.9 Designs For Health
- 2.10 Nature’s Sunshine SAM-e
- 2.11 Source Naturals Double Strength SAM-e
- 3 Special Precautions And Warnings
- 4 Conclusion
What Is SAMe?
- SAMe is a molecule that is formed naturally in the body. It can also be made in the laboratory.
- SAMe is involved in the formation, activation, or breakdown of other chemicals in the body, including hormones, proteins, and certain drugs.
- SAMe has been available as a dietary supplement in the US since 1999, but it has been used as a prescription drug in Italy, Spain, and Germany for many decades.
- People most commonly take SAMe by mouth for depression and osteoarthritis.
- SAMe is also tried for anxiety, back pain, fibromyalgia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
The body uses SAMe to make certain chemicals in the body that play a role in pain, depression, liver disease, and other conditions. People who don’t make enough SAMe naturally may be helped by taking SAMe as a supplement.
Some people use SAM-e as a treatment for other conditions, such as liver disease, Alzheimer’s disease, pain, migraine, and bursitis. We don’t know the potential risks or benefits of these uses.
When taken by mouth: SAMe is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth, given intravenously (by IV), or when injected as a shot, appropriately. It can sometimes cause gas, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, dry mouth, headache, mild insomnia, anorexia, sweating, dizziness, and nervousness, especially at higher doses. It can also make some people with depression feel anxious
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Best SAM-E Brand And Supplements
Many nutritional companies have come up with their very own kind of this supplement. Many people have taken these supplements and there are much more who have been using them to date. So, the question remains is it really the ‘miracle drug’ or just any random hype of the internet?
We sincerely don’t want your money to go in vain, hence after much research work and studying the reviews all over the world, we have narrowed it down to the best SAM-e brand and their supplements.
Jarrow Formulas SAM-e
One of the best SAM-e brand that has taken the field of nutritional supplements by storm. For the last 40 years, the giant has been shipping products in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Their comprehensive field line comprises herbal extract products, vitamins, probiotics, minerals, and nutritional products.
Moreover, it has a reasonable price considering the quality. It also has the enteric-coating with its proprietary EnteroGuard. It also consistently got the highest marks from consumers on various online selling platforms. Even if the bottle only contains 20 daily doses, the price of Jarrow Formulas SAM-e is still reasonable. However, taking two tablets a day will only last ten days. You’ll need to buy more for a whole month’s supply or even longer.
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Ingredients
- S-Adenosyl Methionine – 200mg from 400mg of SAM-e tosylate disulfate.
- Cellulose – vegetable binder.
- Mannitol – used as a sweetener.
- Glyceryl Behenate – used a tablet lubricant.
- Magnesium Stearate – vegetable binder that quickly disintegrates.
- Silicon Dioxide – used as a filler.
- Sodium Starch Glycolate – used as an additional excipient.
- Enteric Coating – modified cellulose, magnesium silicate, triethyl citrate, and riboflavin.
Pros
- Considerable price.
- Effective excipients help distribute the dose quickly.
- EnteroGuard enteric coating ensures delivery of dosage in the small intestine.
Cons
- The pack comes with only 20 tablets. Taking two tablets a day will last only 10 days.
Ratings: 4.5/5
Doctor’s Best SAM-e 400
Doctor’s Best is a supplement producer founded by physicians 30 years ago backed up by highly functional nutritional science. Also it has over 200 thoroughly checked and researched health products that are manufactured inside cGMP-certified labs. However, their products are third-party tested to ensure the highest quality. The box contains 60 tablets as a supply for 2 months.
Doctor’s Best uses the highest quality Italian Soloesse to produce their SAM-e 400. This SAM-e from Doctor’s best contains a potent 400mg dose. The box has a 2-month supply of 60 tablets, each protected in foil. The enteric coating will ensure the tablet’s protection until it reaches the small intestines to deliver the dose optimally.
Doctor’s Best is a supplements producer founded by physicians 30 years ago and backed by genuine nutritional science. It has over 200 thoroughly researched health products it manufactures to the highest standards inside its cGMP-certified facilities. Their products are third-party tested to ensure the highest quality.
Ingredients
- S-Adenosyl Methionine 400mg from SAM-e 800mg tosylate disulfate.
- Microcrystalline Cellulose – used as a solid binder and excipient.
- Magnesium Hydroxide – serves as a filter and for tablet consistency.
- Stearic acid – acts as a lubricant.
- Calcium Chloride Anhydrous – used in the drying process.
- Magnesium Stearate – disintegrating vegetable binder.
- Colloidal Silica Anhydrous – flow and anticaking agent
- Calcium Oxide – used for tabled lubrication.
- Magnesium Silicate – additional flow and anticaking agent
- Glycerol – binding excipient
- Sodium Alginate – also used as a disintegrating binder.
Pros
- Enteric coated for effective dosage delivery.
- Completely Vegan.
- Soy and Gluten-free.
- Independently tested by third party labs.
Cons
- The price of the product is quite a load.
Ratings: 4.3/5
Nature Made SAM-e Complete
Nature Made is a company in West Hills, California, manufacturing and distributing vitamins as well as health supplements since 1971. It is also one of the most reliable and the best SAM-e brand out there. The products are also tested and verified by the US Pharmacopeia (USP). The 36 SAM-e tablets, each comes protected in aluminium foil, are recommended to take each tablet a day. Although three tablets a day are also permitted that would make the pack more costly.
The 36 SAM-e Complete 400mg tablets are the best sam e supplement which come with each protected in aluminum foil. Nature’s Made recommends taking one tablet a day, although it also says you can take as much as three for a 1,200mg daily dose. However, that would reduce the supply to twelve days and make it expensive. A single 400mg dose should be enough for most needs. They claim you’ll start to see an improvement within 1-2 weeks of taking their SAM-e.
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Ingredients
- S-Adenosyl Methionine 400mg.
- Cellulose Gel – component of the enteric coating.
- Methacrylic Acid Copolymer – also part of the enteric coating.
- Stearic Acid – vegetable tablet lubricant
- Silicon Dioxide – serves as an inert filler.
- Triethyl Citrate – another ingredient of the tablet’s coating.
- Magnesium Stearate – vegetable binder that disintegrates quickly.
- Mannitol – used as a sweetener.
- Sodium Starch Glycolate – serves as a dissolution excipient.
Pros
- High 400mg dose from each tablet.
- Enteric-coated for efficient delivery of dosage.
- No artificial flavours or preservatives.
- Gluten-free.
Cons
- The price range is high.
Ratings: 4.0/5
Pure Encapsulation SAM-e
Pure Encapsulations specializes in manufacturing hypoallergenic supplements. As their name implies, however, they use only the purest ingredient to ensure safety and the highest quality. They also want their products safe for everyone to consume, even the most sensitive users. They also even welcome guests to visit their GMP certified plant at a moment’s notice. The bottle contains 60 capsules of SAM-e from Pure Encapsulations. One will give you a 200mg dose daily for two months. Although, some might find the 200mg lacking and go for two a day. However, that would make it more expensive.
Pure Encapsulations specializes in the research and manufacture of hypoallergenic supplements. As their name implies, they use only the purest ingredient to ensure safety and the highest quality.
Ingredients
- S-Adenosyl Methionine – 200mg from SAM-e disulfate tosylate.
- Cellulose – vegetarian capsule mixed with water.
- Calcium oxide – inactive excipient.
- Ascorbyl Palmitate – acts as a flow agent.
- Calcium Chloride – used as a binder.
Pros
- 60 capsules each with a 200mg dose.
- A fully vegetable supplement.
- Non-GMO.
- Gluten-free.
Cons
- A bit expensive for 200mg dose.
- Some may find 200mg dose lacking and go for two a day, which in turn turns it expensive.
Ratings: 4.0/5
aSquared Nutrition Pure SAM-e
aSquared Nutrition is a nutrient supplying company from Miami, Florida. Also, it does the research and collaborates with manufacturing partners that have FDA-approved and GMP-certified manufacturing facilities. The bottle contains 90 capsules, each 400mg that would last three months. It has no ingredients other than rice flour filler and the vegetable capsules. Making it one of the best SAM-e brand that you can ever think of.
Ingredients
- S-Adenosyl Methionine – 400mg from SAM-e tosylate disulfate.
- Cellulose – vegetable capsule.
- Rice Flour – as filler.
Pros:
- It contains 90 capsules sufficient for 3 months.
- Contains only SAM-e and rice flour.
- Vegetable capsules
- Very much affordable
Cons
- Delivery to the small intestine is not possible as it has no enteric coating.
- Would have been better in blister packs to ensure freshness after 3 months.
Ratings: 4.0/5
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Vitamins Best Value SAM-e
The Best Value SAM-e from We Like Vitamins is another supplement with an easy formulation making it the one of the best sam e brand. Besides the potent 500mg SAM-e dose, there are only the vegetable capsule and rice powder filler. However, it’s going not to be as efficient as those with enteric coatings in delivering the dosage. Not all people that use it’s going to get the complete effect as a result.
Ingredients
- S-Adenosyl Methionine – 500mg from SAM-e disulfate tosylate
- Cellulose – vegetable soft gel capsule
- Rice Powder – used as a filler
Pros
- Highly potent 500mg
- Has only three ingredients
- Contains no artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives
- Vegetable capsule
Cons
- Has no enteric coating for better delivery of the dosage
- May be expensive for a few, even for 500mg capsules
Rating: 4.3 of 5
Mental Refreshment Nutrition SAM-e
A bottle of Mental Refreshment Nutrition SAM-e contains 90 capsules. However, the label is a bit misleading. The 1000mg printed prominently on the label is for the recommended daily serving of 4 capsules. So don’t expect it to last 90 days if you’re going to take more than one tablet daily.
Ingredients
- S-Adenosyl Methionine – 1000mg from SAM-e disulfate tosylate
- Cellulose Gelatin – vegetable soft gel capsules
- Rice Powder – used as a filler
Pros
- The simple formula ensures no harmful or artificial ingredients
- Completely vegetable supplement
Cons
- 1000mg is four capsules worth
- The 90 capsules would last only 22 days supported the recommended serving of 4 daily
- Doesn’t have an enteric coating
Rating: 4.2 of 5
Cellfood SAM-e Liquid Formula
The CELLFOOD SAM-e liquid formula is one of the best SAMe on the market that supports sulphate groups’ absorption into glycoproteins. It helps in maintaining cartilage and protect joints. The byproducts of this absorption process are Cysteine and glutathione, which consists of potent health optimising properties. This product functions by donating its methyl group to CNS receptors which then increases the activity and production of the mood-boosting neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
For the health of the liver, Cellfood SAM-e supports GSH production and uptake, which is mainly responsible for removing dangerous toxins from the body. The liver continuously battles against toxins and which is why adequate concentrations of glutathione are crucial to survival. Damage occurs when the liver is so overwhelmed by toxins that it cannot produce enough glutathione. SAM-e is a necessary component of glutathione’s creation.
Designs For Health
SAMe with Vitamin B6, B12 and 5-MTHF by Designs for Health, one of the best sam-e brand of 2021, support a positive mood, healthy liver function and joints and cartilage. SAMe is a naturally occurring metabolite found in the human body as well as in plant and animal foods. It is the most active of all methyl donors and has been compared to ATP in its importance for the body.
SAMe is naturally synthesized in humans from the amino acid methionine in the presence of the cofactors vitamin B12 and folate. SAMe is involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, the hormone melatonin, phospholipids, and polyamines, which control cellular growth. It is also the source of methyl groups inside the nucleus for DNA methylation, which controls gene expression and masking of genetic damage.
Ingredients
- Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal-5-phosphate) 5mg
- Folate 170mcg DFE (as Quatrefolic [6s]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, glucosamine salt 200mg)
- Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin) 50mcg
- SAMe 200mg (as s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluenesulfate, calcium chloride and calcium oxide)
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Nature’s Sunshine SAM-e
Nature’s Sunshine SAM-e (S-Adenosyl-methionine tosylate) is a naturally occurring amino acid which you can find throughout the body with high concentrations in the adrenal glands, liver and brain. However, it’s requirement is in over 40 biochemical reactions, helping with a variety of functions, including mood regulation, cognitive function, general nerve conditions, liver and heart health. Also, the liver synthesizes most of the body’s SAM-e from the amino acid methionine, with the help of folic acid and vitamin B12. However, SAM-e’s primary role is supporting healthy levels of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter in the brain known for supporting mood balance. Scientific studies show SAM-e naturally supports mood balance in as little as 7 to 14 days when taken daily.
SAM-e provides a source of sulfur, an important compound used to support healthy cartilage and strong joints and for the synthesis of taurine and glutathione, used in liver detoxification processes. Factors such as age, certain health conditions and poor diet can impact the amount of SAM-e found in the body. It also appears to help fight premature ageing by regenerating new cells, especially in joint and liver tissue. Nature’s Sunshine’s SAM-e contains 200mg of pure S-Adenosylmethionine tosylate disulfate in each enteric-coated tablet. The enteric coating prevents SAM-e from prematurely breaking down in the bottle and also provides for optimal absorption of SAM-e in the small intestine making it one of the best SAM-e brand.
Source Naturals Double Strength SAM-e
This Double Strength SAM0e from Source Naturals provides a potent 400mg daily dosage for a reasonable price.They also recommend taking up to three as needed on an empty stomach for full effect. The box comes with 30 blister-packed capsules that are enough to last a month.
Pros
- Affordable potent 400mg daily dose
- Enteric-coated for
- The price is reasonable
Cons
- Only a one-month supply
Ingredients
- S-Adenosyl Methionine – 400mg from 800mg SAM-e disulfate tosylate
- Cellulose – serves as a filler and binder
- Mannitol – used as a sweetener
- Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose Phthalate – used as a tablet-coating agent
- Citric Acid – regulates pH
- Silica – anticaking and flow agent
- Stearic Acid – vegetable lubricant
- Croscarmellose Sodium – another dissolution excipient
- Titanium Dioxide – used as a color pigment
Ratings: 4.4/ 5
Source Naturals is a pioneer health supplements company, and the best SAM-e brand in Scotts Valley, California. Also, it garnered over 75 awards in the US. It has been researching and combining herbs, nutrients, and nutraceuticals in their formulations for almost 40 years, even back when it was an uncommon practice. It’s a given that you can rely on them for the best sam-e supplement.
Special Precautions And Warnings
- Pregnancy: SAMe is POSSIBLY SAFE when given intravenously (by IV) in the short-term during the third trimester of pregnancy. An 800 mg dose of SAMe has been used intravenously for 14-20 days without any adverse effects. There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking higher doses of SAMe for longer periods of time or during the earlier trimesters of pregnancy. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
- Breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking SAMe if you are pregnant or breast feeding. However, stay on the safe side and avoid use.
- Children: SAMe is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth or used intravenously (by IV) in children in the short-term.
- Bipolar disorder: Use of SAMe can cause people with bipolar disorder to convert from depression to mania.
- Also, inherited disorder called Lesch-Nyhan syndrome: SAMe might make symptoms of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome worse.
- Parkinson disease: SAMe might make Parkinson’s symptoms worse.
- Surgery: SAMe might affect the central nervous system. This could interfere with surgery. Stop taking SAMe at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Conclusion
Fillers are almost unavoidable, as the majority of the top-class companies have them. However, they are not all bad. Also, these fillers help in making the contents consistent and allow the optimum delivery of SAM-e in the digestive system. However, the one with ingredients from vegetable sources is highly recommended. It is also best to take the ones with enteric coating. This coating protects the pill’s journey from the mouth till they reach the small intestine.
If taken in a reasonable amount, all the mentioned pills are safe but however, heavy dosage may lead to nausea, insomnia, constipation, diarrhoea, anxiousness, nervousness, dizziness, and headaches.
Now that we have provided with the best SAM-e Brand and their supplements to buy this year, you should know which supplements to choose now.
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Amy Mackelden is a freelance writer, editor, and disability activist. She’s the weekend editor at MalePatternFitness, and her bylines include Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Independent, Nicki Swift, Bustle, xoJane, and HelloGiggles. She’s written about health for MS Society, MS Trust, The Checkup, The Paper Gown, Folks, HelloFlo, Greatist, and Byrdie.