Everyone's talking about this mood-boosting supplement: Should you take it?
It seems like everyone's talking (TV commercials, my friends, etc.) about a newish over-the-counter supplement that is reportedly as effective as fighting depression as prescription antidepressants. But, is it safe? Is it really effective? And should you take it? Read on for expert advice...
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Have you heard of SAM-e? I know, Sam who? It's the latest mood-boosting supplement on the shelf at your local drug store. I asked Neal Barnard, M.D., president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, to flesh out the details for us:
"SAM-e (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) is a nutritional supplement commonly used for depression," he explains. "In clinical tests, its effectiveness is similar to that of prescription antidepressants. It also seems to reduce the pain of osteoarthritis."
Don't wash your pills down with this!
OK, all good, but any risks? "People using SAM-e should be under a doctor's care," he says. "It is not that SAM-e is dangerous--so far, evidence of safety is encouraging. The problem is that depression is dangerous. It disrupts lives and, when severe, can even lead to suicide. So rather than just popping a few pills of SAM-e, it makes sense to evaluate all aspects of your life, to see what needs attention. Also, it is essential to look out for drug interactions--such as the combination of SAM-e and antidepressants, which could potentially be a dangerous combination."
Speaking of getting happy, what would you do if you didn't have to work? And, more on mental health news from Vitamin G, here.
Are you in to taking over-the-counter supplements to boost your mood? Have you heard of/tried SAM-e?
Related: A Magic, Eat-Whatever-You-Want Diet Pill Is on the Horizon--Would You Take It?
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