Best SAMe Supplements for Arthritis and Depression, According to ConsumerLab Tests

White Plains, NY, October 31, 2024—  SAMe (S-adenosyl-methionine) supplements may reduce joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis, as well as improve symptoms of depression. To help identify the best products, ConsumerLab recently tested 11 popular SAMe supplements, carefully checking to see if they contained the amount and form of SAMe claimed. Because SAMe supplements typically have an enteric coating to protect it from degradation, ConsumerLab also tested products to ensure enteric coatings performed as expected and properly disintegrated to release their ingredients.
 

Key Findings:

• SAMe Supplement Quality: The quality of most SAMe supplements, including one product for pets, was generally high: All the supplements contained their claimed amount and form of SAMe, and if claimed, had an effective enteric coating.
• SAMe Dosage: All products for people provided a dose of either 200 mg or 400 mg of SAMe per suggested serving. Generally recommended daily doses of SAMe range from 400 to 1,600 mg, depending on the condition, its severity, and course of treatment.
• Cost: The cost for SAMe varied widely, from 47 cents to over $2 for a 400 mg dose from products.

Among products that passed all tests of quality and were Approved, ConsumerLab selected its Top Picks among SAMe supplements, based on quality, dosage, and value.
 

Access the Full Report:

If you are one of more than 100,000 ConsumerLab members who support ConsumerLab’s research, you can now access the full SAMe Supplements Review.

The report includes test results and comparisons for 11 SAMe supplements. Nine products were selected for testing by ConsumerLab: Azendus Natural SAMe, Doctor's Best Double-Strength SAM-e 400 mg, Jarrow Formulas Vegan SAMe 200, Life Extension SAMe 400 mg, Nature Made SAM-e Complete 400 mg, Nutramax Denamarin, Pure Encapsulations SAMe, Swanson SAMe, and Synergy SAM-e. Two additional products passed the same testing and were Approved through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program: Nature's Trove SAMe 200 mg and Nature's Trove SAMe 400 mg.

The Review also explains clinical evidence for SAMe for reducing osteoarthritis pain, improving mood and treating depression, improving symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, and other conditions. The review also discusses what to look when choosing a SAMe supplement and the best way to take SAMe, as well as potential side effects and drug interactions with SAMe supplements.
 

A video that explains ConsumerLab’s findings and provides expert tips for selecting the best SAMe supplement is also available.

Founded in 1999, ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. Membership to ConsumerLab.com is available online and provides immediate access to continually updated reviews of nearly every popular type of dietary supplement and health food, answers to reader questions, and product recalls and warnings. ConsumerLab also provides independent product testing through its voluntary Quality Certification Program. The company is privately held and based in New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products.

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