Since its first appearance in the US back in 1999, many touted S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM-e) as somewhat of a miracle drug.
It’s a naturally occurring chemical compound in the body that helps in the production and regulation of hormones and maintaining cell membranes.
The studies conducted on it have focused primarily on its benefits in fighting liver disease, joint issues, and depression. So far, the evidence has been inconclusive, although the signs look very promising.
That hasn’t stopped nutritional companies from coming up with their versions and from people taking them. Many who have been using these supplements swear by them, but does it live up to the hype?
We want to help you make an informed decision in buying the best SAM-e Supplements. That’s why in this article, we tackled what this vital compound is all about.
- Jarrow Formulas SAM-e – Buy here Editor’s Choice
- Doctor’s Best SAM-e 400 – Buy here
- Nature Made SAM-e Complete – Buy here
- Pure Encapsulations SAM-e – Buy here
- Source Naturals Double Strength SAM-e – Buy here
- aSquared Nutrition Pure SAM-e – Buy here
- We Like Vitamins Best Value SAM-e – Buy here
- Mental Refreshment Nutrition SAM-e – Buy here
- Nature’s Trove Sam-e – Buy here
- NOW Foods SAM-e – Buy here
To make your selection process even simpler, we scrutinized several of the best sellers on the market and narrowed the list down to our top ten.
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Editor’s Choice: Jarrow Formulas SAM-e
Our editors unanimously picked Jarrow Formulas SAM-e as our Editor’s Choice for the following reasons.
- It has a reasonable price considering the quality
- It has the enteric-coating with its proprietary EnteroGuard
- It 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.
Pros
- Proprietary EnteroGuard enteric coating ensures delivery of dosage in the small intestine
- Effective excipients help distribute the dose quickly
- Enjoys a high satisfaction rating from buyers
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Just 20 tablets suitable for 20 days
Ingredients
- S-Adenosyl Methionine – 200mg from 400mg of SAMe tosylate disulfate
- Cellulose – vegetable binder
- Mannitol – used as a sweetener
- Glyceryl Behenate – used as 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
Rating
4.6 of 5
Who Makes It?
Jarrow Formulas is a company that formulates and produces top-notch nutritional supplements out of Los Angeles, California. It has been around for more than 40 years and ships its products in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
It sells a comprehensive line, including standardized herbal extracts, vitamins and minerals, probiotics, and other nutritional products.
2. Doctor’s Best SAM-e 400
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.
Pros
- Enteric-coated for effective dosage delivery
- Completely Vegan
- Soy and Gluten-free
- Independently tested by third-party labs
Cons
- Maybe a bit pricey for some
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 filler 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
Rating
4.5 of 5
Who Makes It?
As its name suggests, 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.
3. Nature Made SAM-e Complete
The 36 SAM-e Complete 400mg tablets 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.
Pros
- High 400mg dose from each tablet
- Enteric-coated for efficient delivery of dosage
- No artificial flavors and preservatives
- Gluten-free
Cons
- The price may be high for some
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
Rating
4.5 of 5
Who Makes It?
Nature Made is a company in West Hills, California, manufacturing and distributing vitamins and health supplements since 1971.
When possible, it has its products tested and verified by the US Pharmacopeia (USP).
4. Pure Encapsulations SAM-e
The bottle contains 60 capsules of SAM-e from Pure Encapsulations. One will give you a 200mg dose daily for two months.
Some might find the 200mg lacking and go for two a day. However, that would make it more expensive.
Pros
- 60 200mg capsules
- A fully vegetable supplement
- Non-GMO
- Has gluten-free certification
Cons
- A bit expensive for a 200mg dose
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
Rating
4.5 of 5
Who Makes It?
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.
They want their products safe for everyone to consume, even the most sensitive users. They even welcome guests to visit their GMP certified plant at a moment’s notice.
5. 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
- Triacetin – serves as an excipient
- Sodium Starch Glycolate – additional dissolution excipient
- Croscarmellose Sodium – another dissolution excipient
- Titanium Dioxide – used as a color pigment
Rating
4.4 of 5
Who Makes It?
Source Naturals is a pioneer health supplements company in Scotts Valley, California. 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.
A team tests every incoming raw material before being processed and packaged. Each batch is also tested in an in-house laboratory to ensure top quality.
6. aSquared Nutrition Pure SAM-e
Unlike the other products featured here, the Pure SAM-e from aSquared Nutrition has no ingredients other than rice flour filler and the vegetable capsule.
The dark bottle contains 90 400mg capsules that would last you three months, making it very affordable. However, it lacks an enteric coating to ensure it won’t dissolve before reaching the small intestines.
Pros
- A Bottle contains 90 capsules sufficient for three months
- Potent daily 400mg of SAM-e
- Contains only SAM-e and rice flour filler
- Vegetable capsule
- Very affordable
Cons
- Delivery to the small intestine is iffy with no enteric coating
- Would have been better in blister packs to ensure freshness after three months
Ingredients
- S-Adenosyl Methionine – 400mg from SAM-e tosylate disulfate
- Cellulose – vegetable capsule
- Rice Flour – as a filler
Rating
4.3 of 5
Who Makes It?
aSquared Nutrition is a supplier of nutrient supplements out of Miami, Florida. It does the research and collaborates with manufacturing partners that have FDA-approved and GMP-certified manufacturing facilities.
7. We Like Vitamins Best Value SAM-e
The Best Value SAM-e from We Like Vitamins is another supplement with a simple formulation. Besides the potent 500mg SAM-e dose, there are only the vegetable capsule and rice powder filler.
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However, it may not be as efficient as those with enteric coatings in delivering the dosage. Not all people who use it may get the full effect as a result.
Pros
- Highly potent 500mg
- Has only three ingredients
- Contains no artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Vegetable capsule
Cons
- Has no enteric coating for better delivery of the dosage
- May be expensive for some, even for 500mg capsules
Ingredients
- S-Adenosyl Methionine – 500mg from SAM-e disulfate tosylate
- Cellulose – vegetable soft gel capsule
- Rice Powder – used as a filler
Rating
4.3 of 5
Who Makes It?
We Like Vitamins is a nutritional supplements supplier out of Ada, Michigan. They aim to create formulations with high-quality ingredients and sell them at an affordable price.
The company only collaborates with GMP-certified facilities to manufacture its various health products and ensure quality control and consistency.
8. 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 four capsules. So don’t expect it to last 90 days if you’re going to take more than one tablet daily.
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 based on the recommended serving of four daily
- Doesn’t have an enteric coating
Ingredients
- S-Adenosyl Methionine – 1000mg from SAM-e disulfate tosylate
- Cellulose Gelatin – vegetable soft gel capsules
- Rice Powder – used as a filler
Rating
4.2 of 5
Who Makes It?
Mental Refreshment Nutrition is a producer and retailer of various high-quality nutritional supplements in Severna Park, Maryland.
They specialize in formulating dietary supplements that improve mood, sleep, energy levels, appetite, and more.
9. Nature’s Trove Sam-e
Nature’s Trove Sam-e is shown to clinically promote emotional health, joint mobility, and liver function. It contains 400mg of Sam-e and the tablets are enteric-coated to ensure optimal ingredient absorption.
Where this product stands out is in its high percentage of S,S isomer which is the active component of Sam-e.
The product contains all of what you and nothing you don’t to bring you a potent, and effective formula.
Pros
- The tablets have enteric coating that helps with absorption
- Highest percentage of S,S isomer (active component)
- Lab-tested
Cons
- Few complaints of side effects
Ingredients
- S-adenosylmethionine tosylate disulfate
- Cellulose – vegetable tablet coating
- Enteric coating containing one or more of the following: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, methacrylic acid copolymer, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, triacetin, titanium dioxide
- Mannitol
- Citric acid
- Vegetable stearic acid
- Silicon dioxide
- Sodium starch glycolate
- Croscarmellose sodium
- Yellow ochre – natural pigment
Rating
4 of 5
Who Makes It?
The Nature’s Trove team are experts in this field, having worked with Sam-e for over two decades. Their product is a stable, bioavailable form of the active ingredient and apparently contains the highest levels of S,S isomer (active component) on the supplement market.
The brand believes that natural health should be accessible to everyone and that’s one of their main objectives.
10. NOW Foods SAM-e
Giant health products maker NOW foods sell bottles of 60 200mg SAM-e tablets. They’re very high-quality and have enteric coating but are on the pricey side.
Moreover, the dose may be too small for some people, and the price per tablet would escalate if taken more than once.
That will pull down its score with users. That’s also why it’s on the tail end of this list.
Pros
- The tablets have an enteric coating that protects them until they reach the small intestines
- Vegetable supplement
Cons
- It’s expensive for 200mg tablets
Ingredients
- S-Adenosyl Methionine – 200mg disulfate tosylate
- Cellulose – vegetable binder
- Croscarmellose Sodium – used in tablet dissolution
- Magnesium Stearate – quickly disintegrating binder
- Silica – used for flow and anticaking
- Stearic Acid – acts as a vegetable lubricant
- Ascorbic Acid – controls pH
- Enteric Coating – water, methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate, glycerin
Rating
3.9 of 5
Who Makes It?
NOW Foods has been around for more than 50 years during the health food industry’s infancy. It started as a small chain of stores selling consumable health products in Chicago.
The company has grown tremendously and became one of the most recognizable brands in the natural medicine industry. It recently bought the rights to what’s now known as the NOW Arena in Illinois.
What are the Benefits of the Best SAM-e Supplements?
Improving Joint Function
Clinical trials showed how SAM-e could help increase comfort and mobility in the joints.
It has promise as a pain reliever and treatment of osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, bursitis, tendonitis, and chronic back pain, all of which are joint-related issues.
It’s slower acting than typical prescription drugs used but has fewer or weaker side effects.
Help with Liver Function
SAM-e promotes glutathione production in the liver that plays a crucial role in detoxifying and antioxidant in cells.
SAM-e provides the methyl component needed to synthesize glutathione in the liver. It’s one of the vital organs with the highest amount of SAM-e, but its production lessens with age.
Taking the best SAM-e supplements may help fill up the glutathione deficiency.
Although relatively early, studies suggest that taking orally or intravenously improves livers with cirrhosis or chronic liver disease. It may also help reduce the blockage of bile caused by intrahepatic cholestasis.
Remedy for Depression
When you start choosing the best SAM-e supplements, you’ll come across several brands claiming their product will also improve your mood. Don’t be surprised.
Several studies have pointed out that SAM-e might be as good as some expensive antidepressant prescription drugs for treating depression. Even better is that the compound seems to have fewer side effects.
However, injections worked better. If taken orally, lower doses like 100-200mg might not have any noticeable effect on some individuals. There’s a chance you’ll need to take higher amounts before beginning to feel any improvement.
[Also Read: 12 Best Zinc Supplements Reviewed for 2024]
Who Should Buy SAM-e Supplements?
People Suffering from Depression
As pointed above, several companies market their SAM-e products as mood boosters for a good reason. Some research supports the claim, and there’s overwhelming feedback from consumers that it works.
People Experiencing Joint Problems
People have reported marked improvement in helping relieve various joint pains. It may also help in the treatment of joint ailments such as osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.
People with Liver Disease
Some livers, especially in older people or those with a disease, can no longer synthesize enough SAM-e. Besides other critical uses in the body, the compound is a vital cog that a liver needs to function correctly.
However, there’s still no evidence it will work with other liver diseases, such as hepatitis and those that are alcohol-related.
How Do I Pick the Best SAM-e Supplements?
Fillers are almost unavoidable, and most of the bestselling SAM-e supplements made by more prominent companies have them.
However, they’re not all bad. These fillers help make the contents consistent and allow the optimum delivery of SAM-e in the digestive system. Be sure to pick the supplements with ingredients from vegetable sources.
It’s best to look for pills that have an enteric coating. It will protect them on their journey from your mouth up until they reach the small intestine.
There, a pill will start dissolving and disperse the SAM-e molecules where it’s needed most. Those that dissolve in the gut too early may have diminished effectiveness.
It’s also a good idea to read what the buyers have to say about their firsthand experience with a brand’s supplement.
Side Effects
If taken in reasonable amounts, the FDA deems SAM-e supplements safe. On the other hand, overdosing can cause nausea, gas, insomnia, constipation, diarrhea, anxiousness, nervousness, dizziness, and headaches.
SAM-e isn’t advisable for pregnant or nursing women, young children, people with bipolar disorder, or those with Parkinson’s disease.
People scheduled for surgery at least within two weeks should also avoid taking the supplement.
Recommended Dosage
SAM-e supplements come in many dosages. It’s essential that you read what’s on the label, especially the brand’s instructions and recommended dosages.
Some brands will tell you to take a tablet up to three times daily before meals to get the optimum benefit.
However – to be on the safe side – you can try 200mg a day before eating for starters. It’s a precaution for avoiding side effects, such as an upset stomach, headache, or nausea.
You can gradually increase the dosage if you think you need more and aren’t experiencing any ill effects.
There’s some trial-and-error needed since no research has validated the oral intake of SAM-e. Most of the studies done involved intravenous fluids and injections on subjects.
Your best bet would be to consult with your doctor first on the dosage that will fit you. Never use the supplement to self-treat any ailment.
FAQs
What is SAM-e?
SAM-e is short for S-Adenosyl Methionine, a molecule naturally found in the body.
It’s a crucial precursor to the activation, formation, or breakdown of several essential substances and chemicals, including proteins, hormones, and drugs.
Companies create them in a lab and have been selling them in the US as nutritional supplements since 1999.
Is SAM-e safe?
So far, people in the healthcare industry generally regard SAM-e supplements as safe if taken in small amounts. You can also start with the smaller dosages available, but you should consult with your doctor first to be sure.
How do you take SAM-e supplements?
People take SAM-e supplements by muscle injections or intravenously. The most convenient way is to take pills or capsules containing the compound orally.
You should also read the manufacturer’s instructions and recommended dosages. Most will tell you to swallow a pill with an empty stomach for optimum absorption by the body.
Don’t chew or grind the tablet.
How do you store SAM-e supplements properly?
You can store the box or bottle somewhere cool and dark like a medicine cabinet, but don’t refrigerate them.
Recap
It’s crucial to remember that most of the studies on SAM-e were intravenous or injected. There’s still no clear evidence that validates its potency when taken orally.
That hasn’t stopped people from taking the best SAM-e supplements and swearing by them. And the feedback from them is overwhelmingly positive.
Another thing to consider is that SAM-e seems to work slower than prescription drugs. What piques people’s interest is that it offers a natural solution with fewer side effects and is cheaper.
The consensus seems to be that it’s a safe alternative in aiding the treatment of various ailments. Nevertheless, there have to be more studies and research before it can finally be considered a mainstream remedy.
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