S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)
S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is formed in every cell from the amino acid methionine and the energy carrier ATP. It is measured in urine together with SAH, betaine and choline (analysis “Methyl group donors”).
What SAM does in the body
SAM donates methyl groups to more than a hundred reactions: to the genetic material (DNA methylation, which controls which genes are read), to messenger substances (breakdown of adrenaline and dopamine, formation of melatonin), to creatine for muscle energy and to phosphatidylcholine for cell membranes. After donation, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) remains. SAM also steers metabolism: when enough is present, homocysteine is increasingly converted to cysteine and glutathione.
Low SAM – what happens in the body?
When little SAM is available, methylation reactions run more slowly: messenger substances are converted more slowly, creatine and phosphatidylcholine are formed to a lesser extent, and less homocysteine flows towards glutathione. Causes are a low intake of methionine or a lack of the helpers of the methylation cycle – folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and betaine.
High SAM – what does it mean?
High levels are found with plentiful methionine intake or when little SAM is used. The ratio to SAH (SAM/SAH ratio) is especially informative: it describes how well the cell can methylate.
The interpretation is given in your report.
Also known as: sam, s-adenosylmethionine, same, methyl group donor, methylation
Contexts in which this value is measured
- Exhaustion
- Mood swings
- Elevated homocysteine
- Sleep disturbances
Analyses that include this value
There is currently no analysis in the shop for this value. A practitioner or doctor from the ORY expert network can tell you how else it can be determined.
View the expert networkReference ranges and how your personal value is to be read are set out in your findings report. You discuss the findings with a practitioner or doctor from the ORY expert network.