Posted by IsoM on December 31, 2001, at 2:07:45
In reply to SAM-E- why so expensive? $46 for 80 pills Costco!!, posted by 3 Beer Effect on December 30, 2001, at 23:28:55
I'm not sure taking methionine would do what you want. It's highly unlikely that you'd be deficient in methionine (which is one of the 8 essential amino acids we need 'cause the body can't make them from others. It's not a neurotransmitter). If you're taking in enough protein - meat, eggs, milk, you'll be getting plenty of methionine.
What may be at fault is the metabolic pathways - the enzymes may not work as they should to change it into the other compounds the body uses it for.
Even if you get sufficient methionine, if you're deficient in some of the B vitamins, the methionine won't be properly used. There is such a thing as a folic acid deficiency caused depression. Folic acid is mainly found in vegetables (dark, leafy ones), whole grains & beans. It may be better for you to supplement your diet with folic acid & a good B complex supplement instead. The average North American diet often doesn't get enough folic acid.
Here's a couple of quotes about methionine, SAMe, & B vitamins, and a warning about excessive methionine intake without proper supplementation.
"Folic acid deficiency causes a lowering of brain serotonin in rats, & of cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in humans. There is a
high incidence of folate deficiency in depression, & there are indications in the literature that some depressed patients who are folate deficient respond to folate administration. Folate deficiency is known to lower levels of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e), & S-adenosylmethionine is an antidepressant that raises brain serotonin levels.""Excessive methionine intake, together with inadequate intake of folic acid, vitamin B6, & vitamin B12, can increase the conversion of methionine to homocysteine—a substance linked to heart disease and stroke."
*************************************************************************************************
> I thought about taking SAM-E since SSRIs & Effexor give me insomnia, & Remeron doesn't seem to be effective for me. But I went to Costco & found out it costs almost as much as generic Prozac! Over 50 cents per tablet for the standard Nature Made brand.
>
> It would be cheaper for me to buy any other prescribed antidepressant since I have health insurance & only have to pay a $15 co pay. (unfortunately, i've tried them all & they don't work for me- doctor thinks I'm probably a maniac, er, i mean Bipolar.
>
> Anyone have any experience with SAM-E? Side effects?
> I am sensitive to serotonin induced insomia, does SAM e cause anything like this?
>
> I noticed SAM-E is manufactured from the body from Methione which is loads cheaper. Would taking Methione be a good cheaper alternative? Is methione an inhibitory or an excitatory transmitter?
poster:IsoM
thread:88310
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011222/msgs/88323.html