In one of my recent posts on Anxiety Connection I talked about the recent Consumer Reports review of supplements where they listed their dirty dozen of supplements to avoid. Included in their list of potentially dangerous supplements used to treat mood or anxiety symptoms was Kava and Yohimbe. Along with their list of supplements to avoid, Consumer Reports also reported on eleven supplements you may wish to consider. Just go to their website to read both lists in detail. Their list of supplements to consider (as being safe and possibly effective at the right dosage) includes two for mental health: SAM-e and St. John’s wort. In my discussion of these supplements I will also offer some personal perspective as I have tried both of them. But before we begin, I wish to provide a little disclaimer.
Disclaimer: Remember that any time you take a supplement you are taking a risk since herbal products and supplements are not regulated by the FDA. Just because it is “natural” doesn’t mean there won’t be side effects. Long term effects may be unknown. Always tell your doctor about any supplements you are taking. Do your homework and research any supplements before taking them!
SAM-e
I was just talking about this supplement with my doctor. You always have to tell them what medications or supplements you are taking and I told them I was taking SAM-e. I had to spell it as they had no idea what I was talking about. Whereas everyone seems to have heard about St. John’s Wort, it seems very few people recognize the name SAM-e. When I was on the Dr. Oz show last year, speaking about my personal experiences of suffering from depression, I talked about how SAM-e has helped to uplift my mood. This little known supplement is getting more press coverage lately and I will share some of these reports with you.
SAM-e in the Media
• SAM-e is one of the supplements included in the recent Consumer Reports “supplements to consider” list. They say it is likely to be effective in reducing the symptoms of major depression. In addition it may also reduce pain and improve functioning for people who suffer from osteoarthritis.
• In a 2007 Oprah radio interview, talk show host Dr. Oz spoke with Dr. Mischoulon, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard University, about over the counter remedies for depression. If you listen to the interview it is clear that the doctor would not consider supplements to be a first line defense against depression symptoms but may be used when prescription antidepressants are only partially effective or have too many adverse side effects for the patient. SAM-e was one supplement discussed as having potential benefits for depression sufferers.
• One of the most comprehensive listings of news reports on SAM-e can be found on the Mood Disorders Support Group of New York City web site. Here you will find links to news articles about SAM-e from Newsweek, Time magazine, and more.
