I love hCG!

One other supplement that folks may be interested in taking to prevent stress-related gains and to possibly assist in stabilization: SAMe (also sometimes called SAM-e). It occurs naturally in the body, but is depleted in times of stress. It helps with things like insomnia (which I've suffered from), depression, "brain fog," all that and more. It helps your body function well, even when under stress.

Information on it here, part of the information on SAMe that's posted on drugs.com; I've bolded areas in this snippet that are interesting to me, in regards to metabolism and stabilization:

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Toxicology

Toxicological studies concluded that SAMe is safe even at the highest doses.

SAMe is found in all living cells. It is a naturally occurring molecule produced by a reaction of the amino acid methionine with adenosine triphosphate. SAMe acts as a substrate in many biological reactions and is the precursor of certain essential amino acids. 1 , 2 SAMe is not a botanical, but is a supplement or biochemical commercially produced in yeast cell cultures. One manufacturing process utilizes fermentation of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, enriched by the Schlenk method in the presence of methionine. 1

History

SAMe was discovered in Italy in 1952. Since that time, numerous clinical studies have been performed to determine its efficacy. SAMe has been used in Europe, where it has been available by prescription since 1975, to treat arthritis and depression. It has been available in the United States as a supplement under the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act since 1999. 2

Chemistry

SAMe is the principle contributor of methyl in a number of biochemical reactions involving enzymatic transmethylation. It is a precursor of the amino acids cysteine, taurine, and glutathione. SAMe initiates 3 metabolic pathways in the human body: transmethylation, transsulfuration, and polyamine synthesis.

Transmethylation is the methyl-group transfer to other molecules, enabling them to proceed to certain anabolic or catabolic reactions. Transsulfuration is the exchange resulting in sulfates and reduced glutathione, an important antioxidant, that provides sulfhydryl groups to bind to and detoxify certain compounds. Eighty-five percent of all transmethylation reactions occur in the liver. SAMe, after donating the methyl group, is converted to cysteine, which is important for synthesis of glutathione and other sulfur-containing compounds. 1 , 2 , 3

Determination of SAMe using high performance liquid chromatography has been reported. 4 The native form of SAMe is labile and rapidly degrades. Stable toluenedisulfonate and 1,4-butanedisulfonate salts have been developed, and stable enteric-coated forms are now used in clinical studies. 2 , 5

Link to the article I cut that snippet (above) from: http://www.drugs.com/npp/same.html

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And, another snippet from another article at MedicineNet:

SAMe also seems to help protect the liver. People with liver disease in the early stages sometimes do better when they take SAMe and might even be able to delay the need for a liver transplant. But people with advanced liver disease are not as likely to be helped by taking SAMe.

Link to that article here: http://www.medicinenet.com/same/supp...s-vitamins.htm

I'm seeing a lot on SAMe that mentions that helping the liver is a major part of the function and benefits of SAMe/SAM-e.

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And, if you're going to do any google searches, remember: sometimes people in Europe call it "SAM-e" <-- same thing, just the European interpretation of how to spell it.

I take 400 mg per day (one pill). It's really a brain-saver; it's helped me calm my nerves and concentrate, even in the most stressful times. And because SAMe helps your body work better overall, and declines in the body as we age, and apparently is quite safe, I'm probably going to take this for awhile.

Here are other links on SAMe:
http://www.nutritional-supplement-ed...formation.html
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/sam-e...article_em.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...tural/786.html
http://www.nutritional-supplement-bi...formation.html

YAY, SAMe/SAM-e!