SAMe & mood

SAMe and the Human Body
SAMe (pronounced “Sammy”), or S-Adenosyl-Methionine, is a natural substance synthesized from methionine (an amino acid) in the body. SAMe is a compound that is found naturally in every living being. One of the most important functions of SAMe is its role as a methyl donor. As a methyl donor, SAMe carries and donates methyl molecules to various parts of the body. This process is what enables many cells in the body to work. It is therefore critical to have adequate levels of SAMe in the body in order for the body to work properly.

How does SAMe affect Mood?
One of the most important responsibilities of SAMe as a methyl donor is its role in the production of neurotransmitters, specifically serotonin. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that ensure proper communication between neurons, or brain nerve cells. Without the methyl group donation, the neurotransmitters are useless to perform their function. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved in regulating mood and emotion. It is critical for this neurotransmitter to be functioning properly for a healthy, balanced mood.
In a healthy person, communication in the brain occurs when neurons transmit and receive messages from each other. However, they are only able to successfully communicate with the help of neurotransmitters. At the end of every neuron, there is a gap known as a synapse. In order for the message to successfully cross the synapse and reach the target neuron, neurotransmitters are required to help “carry” the message over the synapse. Once the message is successfully transferred, the neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the original neuron and used for the next message transfer.

What does SAMe have to do with all this?
SAMe is critical for the formation of serotonin, the neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood. If there is an imbalance in the levels of serotonin, or inadequate levels of serotonin, communication in the brain may be disrupted, and can potentially cause unstable mood.

Because SAMe is necessary for the production of these neurotransmitters, maintaining sufficient levels of SAMe is critical for ensuring that proper communication takes place in the brain.

What SAMe supplementation can do for you
Normally, the body produces as much SAMe as it needs from the amino acid methionine. However, as people age (beginning as early as the teenage years), the natural production of SAMe can decrease. This can cause a number of important functions in the body to deteriorate. Supplementing the body with an outside form of SAMe may be effective in returning the body to its normal, healthy levels, and thus help the body return to its full function.