SAD SAMe - Should we be supplementing with S-adenosylmethionine to reduce depression or anxiety?

1. What is SAM and what is it's function? 

2. Do you think supplementation with SAM would beneficial in the treatment of depression and/or anxiety? Explain why or why not

3. What could be some of the challenges/benefits for doing so?

4. What are some other nutritional inventions for depression and/or anxiety? 

S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is a compound that is found naturally in all of our bodies. This compound, often reffered to in shorthand as SAMe, is apart of a 1 carbon pathway that converts folic acid. The role of SAMe in our bodies is to participate in our immune system as well as produce and use many brain chemicals such as dopamine, seritonin and melatonin. SAMe is found mostly in the liver, adrenal glands and the pinesal gland.

Currently studies are focused on deciding if supplementing with SAMe is helpful instead of using anti-depressants. I think supplementation with SAMe is a very thoughtful approach to treating depression. However working with a professional is vital.

When any of us are experiencing depression, the last thing normally on our mind is keeping up with proper nutrition. It is natural to fall into easy or mindless eating habits when in a depressive or anxious state.

However, I do truly believe that feeding the body lots of fiber, compex caarbs, healthy fats and protein to be increasinggly important. It is my opinion that a diet filled with dense nutrients will support the body while the mind works on healing.

Along with diet support in healing from depression or living with anxiety I think it is vital for everyone to keep an ey eon their Vitamin D levels. Request to have your vitamin D levels checked at your next doctors apportinment. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in supporting our bodies functions. Some studies show that there is a connection between depression and and low vitamin d levels. Post partum depression which occurs in mother's post birth may also be enhanced due to low levels of Vitamin D before conception. A lot more research is needed to be done in correlating the exact why as to why Vitamin D affects thes types of depression. Over the years we will definatly have our eyes peeled for new studies on Vitamin D