Only 70% SAMe supplements meet consumer lab criteria

WHITE PLAINS, NY.Dietary supplements with SAMe (S-adenosyl-methionine) are commonly used to address osteoarthritis (OA) and depression, but according to ConsumersLabs.com, only seven out of 10 SAM-e supplements selected for testing met all quality criteria. No SAM-e was found in one supplement and another provided only 75% of its listed amount of the ingredient. The enteric coating on a SAM-e product for dogs and cats did not last long enough to properly protect the contents of the pill. Nearly all SAMe supplements are enteric coated to protect the SAM-e from degradation and prevent stomach upset.

In 2010, $122 million of SAM-e supplements were sold in the United States, according to Nutrition Business Journal. SAM-e is among the more expensive supplements and prices range widely. The best price among products that passed testing was $0.53 for a 400-mg dose, while a similar dose cost more than $2.50 from two products and more than $3 from the product that contained only 75% of its claimed amount.

ConsumerLab.coms Product Review of SAMe Supplements provides clinical information about SAMe, how it is used, and test results and comparisons for the 10 products selected by ConsumerLab.com, and four products that passed the same testing through its Voluntary Certification Program. It also includes information about one product similar to one that passed testing. Brands covered in the report are CVS, Doctors Best, Integrative Therapeutics Vitaline, Jarrow Formulas, Life Extension, Maxam Nutraceutics, Natrol, Nature Made, Natures Bounty, Natures Sunshine, NSI (Vitacost), Sogeval Laboratories, Source Naturals, Vitamin Depot and Vitamin Shoppe.