Customer Reviews

SAMe* (*S-Adenosylmethionine): The European Arthritis and Depression Breakthrough

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Unlike many books on dietary supplements that tend to be extremely biased, this book presents a balanced and scientifically supported report on a program that is working wonders for Europeans with conditions as diverse as osteoarthritis, depression, migraines, and cirrhosis of the liver. The books challenges the American pharmaceutical industry that prevents compounds like SAM-e from getting into the U.S.

I was disappointed with this book. The first author is a doctor, but appears to have no experience actually prescribing the drug. He was asked to write the book when the drug was to be released in the US but had little or no first-hand experience with its use. Therefore, the entire book reads like a very pedantic review of the scientific literature, with long sections explaining things such as what double-blind studies mean. Furthermore, the author is overly cautious in that despite dozens of studies he is often unwilling to reach tentaive conclusions but says more studies are needed.

The book Stop Depression Now by Richard Brown et al. on Sam-e describes extensive experience with prescribing the drug to hundreds of patients and contains everything and more from this book. While Brown may be somewhat an over-enthusiastic salesperson, the book contained much more useful information.

I watched a friend with mild depression be prescribed an anti-depressant and then wrestle with the side effects. It was sad to hear his descriptions of how this drug was affecting him negatively even though it was keeping his depression in check. After a painful divorce, I too, was feeling overwhelmed and chronically depressed. I referred to this book to research some natural alternatives before I went to a doctor. I was luck that my favorite supplement site, iHerb, also sold SAMe. Based on Grazi's information and the corroboration at iHerb, I started on SAMe and Kava powder (shaken in about a cup of juice). I am feeling fine and am glad this Grazi & Costa did such a good job on this book when I needed it most.