TRY TAKING SAMe TO CONTROL YOUR ARTHRITIS PAIN
Osteoarthritis (OA), which most of us just call arthritis, is extremely prevalent in older adults. In fact, it’s the most common age-related joint disease and affects more than 80% of people older than the age of 55. I’m no exception. I have arthritis in my hands and my knees. But I also have an aversion to most prescription drugs, so I’ve been taking a supplement called SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) to control my arthritic pain. SAM-e is a compound that’s made naturally in the body and plays an important role in normal bodily function.
I’ve been taking 800 mg of SAMe daily for over a decade. But only now did I decide to find out more about it, which I’ll share with you.
First, I found an online National Institutes of Health (NIH) article that gave details of a study comparing SAMe with prescription Celebrex: S-Adenosyl methionine (SAMe) versus celecoxib for the treatment of osteoarthritis symptoms:
The article described a randomized double-blind cross-over study, comparing SAMe (1200 mg) with celecoxib (Celebrex 200 mg) for 16 weeks to reduce pain associated with OA of the knee.
On the first month celecoxib showed significantly more reduction in pain than SAMe. But by the second month there was no significant difference between the two groups. The study concluded with: “SAMe has a slower onset of action but is as effective as celecoxib in the management of symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.”
Of course, more studies are needed. Nevertheless, I personally believe that SAMe also works as well—over the long run—as Celebrex in the hands and other arthritic joints.
Second, I found an online article by the Mayo Clinic Staff titled simply SAMe that offers more uses for the supplement plus a few cautions. Here are excerpts:
Overview
S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) is a compound found naturally in the body. SAMe helps produce and regulate hormones and maintain cell membranes. A synthetic version of SAMe is available as a dietary supplement in the U.S
Evidence
Research on SAMe use for specific conditions shows:
- Osteoarthritis. Many studies comparing the use of SAMe with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs showed that each provided similar pain relief and improvement in joint function, but SAMe produced fewer side effects.
- Depression. While research has shown that SAMe has a positive effect in treating depression, most studies weren’t well designed and included a small number of people.
- Liver disease. More studies are needed to determine whether SAMe is beneficial for people who have liver disease.
Generally safe
SAMe appears to be safe and might be effective in treating osteoarthritis and depression. However, SAMe might interact with antidepressants. Don’t use SAMe and prescription antidepressants together.
Safety and side effects
Side effects from SAMe are usually mild.
SAMe can cause:
- Digestive problems, such as nausea, diarrhea or constipation
- Mild insomnia
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Sweating
If you have bipolar disorder, don’t take SAMe without talking to your doctor first. The supplement might increase anxiety and mania.
If you have a compromised immune system, talk to your doctor before taking SAMe. People who have a weakened immune system may be at increased risk of an infection caused by bacteria known as pneumocystis. SAMe may boost this microorganism’s growth.
Interactions
Possible interactions include:
- Antidepressants and other drugs and supplements that increase levels of serotonin
- Antipsychotics
- Amphetamines
- Dextromethorphan
- Levodopa
- Narcotics
- St. John’s wort.
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Most of us are probably not taking the above (possibly interacting) drugs or supplements. Thus, if you have arthritis, you may very well want to try taking a SAMe supplement for a couple of months to see if it works for you as well as it does for me.