SAM-e (S-adenosyl-methionine) is involved in the functioning of every cell in the body and, as a supplement, it has been found to be helpful in reducing the pain of osteoarthritis as well as improving mood in major depression. But which SAM-e supplements are best? To find out, ConsumerLab.com, White Plains, NY, recently selected 10 SAM-e supplements and tested them to see whether they contained their claimed amounts of SAM-e, and if enteric coatings (which protect SAM-e in the stomach) functioned properly. In 2014, $125 million of SAM-e supplements were sold in the U.S., according to Nutrition Business Journal.

ConsumerLab.com (CL) discovered that one product contained only 77% of its listed amount of SAM-e. CL also determined which products provided the best value, as SAM-e can be expensive, costing as much as $3 for a 400 mg daily dose. Among the products which passed testing (including three products tested through CL’s voluntary Quality Certification Program), CL identified one which provided 400 mg of high-quality SAM-e for just 51 cents. The product was enteric-coated to protect SAM-e from stomach acid and sold in a blister pack to prevent spoilage from moisture, as SAMe is a sensitive compound.

The test results are now available in ConsumerLab.com’s SAM-e Supplements Review.