MSM was isolated by Robert Herschler and Dr. Stanley Jacob of the University of Oregon Medical School in the early 80's. Their research revealed that MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane, is a natural sulfur compound found in all living things. It is actually one of the most prominent compounds in our bodies, just behind water and sodium. A 160 pound man has approximately 4 pounds of sulfur as body weight.
Scientists almost missed MSM when studying nutritional needs because it plays such a small part in our food chain. However, in his research, Dr. Jacob determined that the sulfur in MSM, called sulfonyl, is as safe and as important as vitamin C in our diet, unlike the bad sulfurs: sulfas, sulfates, sulfites and sulfides.
Methylsulfonylmethane is a relatively new dietary supplement form of sulfur that is found in our living tissues. MSM supports healthy connective tissues like tendons, ligaments, and muscle. Thus, it is important in conditions such as arthritis, muscle pains, bursitis, etc. MSM should be considered an integral part of any health care practice because of its physiological action, indirect importance, and current / future uses.
To understand MSM, some background information is necessary. MSM is a “naturally-occurring nutrient found in normal human diets”. It gets into the diet through the sulfur cycle. Ocean plankton release sulfur compounds which rise into the ozone where ultra-violet light makes MSM and DMSO. DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide, is a precursor to MSM. MSM and DMSO return to the surface of the earth in rain. Plants concentrate MSM and return it to the earth and the sea. Evaporation into the air results in their return to the earth.
MSM has a unique action on body tissues. It decreases the pressure inside the cell. In removing fluids and toxins, sulfur affects the cell membrane. MSM is an organic form of sulfur, whereas sulfites in foodstuffs are inorganic. Sue Williams states “sulfur is present in all cells” and is in the form of “organic compounds throughout the body”. However, sulfur can be found in the body in sulfate forms. It forms sulfate compounds with sodium, potassium, magnesium, and selenium. MSM has a significance, because sulfur compounds are found everywhere throughout the body and in nature.
MSM originates in the ocean and reaches the human food chain through rainfall. It is the prime source of bio-available sulfur, which is lost from our food by processing, drying, cooking and preserving. MSM is an important nutrient (not a drug or medicine) and is a component of over 150 compounds. It is needed by the body for healthy connective tissues and joint function, proper enzyme activity and hormone balance, along with the proper function of the immune system.
Because bio-nutritional sulfur plays such a major role in these healthy body functions and others, it was found that supplementation with MSM improves many health problems such as: allergies, asthma, emphysema, lung dysfunction, arthritis, headaches, skin problems, stomach and digestive tract problems, circulation, cell osmosis and absorption.
MSM acts as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. It also inhibits muscle spasm and increases blood flow. MSM is critical to the formation of connective tissue of all types. MSM is a natural form of organic sulfur found in all living organisms, including human body fluids and tissues. Sulfur is found in many common foods, including raw milk, meat, fish and a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
However, processing, heating, storage, and preparation of foods destroys essential MSM sulfur. Without sufficient MSM sulfur in the body, unnecessary illness of varying types may result. Research has shown that MSM is helpful in improving joint flexibility, reducing stiffness and swelling, improving circulation and cell vitality, reducing pain and scar tissue, and in breaking up calcium deposits. According to Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., MSM makes cells more permeable, enabling the body to flush out undesirable foreign particles.
“MSM softens the cell walls, allowing allergens, foreign proteins and any free radicals to be moved out of the system,” Mindell states in his book.
MSM is an odorless, water-soluble, white crystalline material that supplies a bioavailable form of dietary sulfur, which plays a major role in stabilizing and promoting numerous body functions. MSM is responsible for the flexible bond between cells, including those that make up the skin. It acts to block undesirable chemical and physical cross-linking or bonding of collagen which is associated with tough, aging skin. Approximately half of the total body sulfur is concentrated in the body's muscles, skin, and bones. It is present in keratin, the tough substance in the skin, nails and hair. Sulfur is necessary for making collagen, the primary constituent of cartilage and connective tissue, but it is also responsible for the conformation of body proteins through the formation of disulfide bonds, which hold connective tissue together. MSM does this in conjunction with vitamins and amino acids, and the process is going on 24 hours of every day. The body never stops making new cells, and this calls for an unceasing supply of MSM and all other essential nutrients. Tests conducted with laboratory animals indicated that wound healing occurred faster with a group receiving MSM, but even faster with both MSM and vitamin C supplementation. Beth M. Ley, in her book, MSM: Our Way Back to Health With Sulfur, lists common signs of sulfur deficiency, including slow wound healing, scar tissue, brittle hair or nails, gastrointestinal problems, arthritis, acne, depression, and more. “The body is in a constant state of repair, but if we do not have all the necessary 'parts'”, says Ley, the body will “produce weak, dysfunctional cells.”
Studies suggest that the level of MSM in the body decreases with aging. As a dietary supplement, MSM is recommended for neutralizing and eliminating toxins as well as alleviating conditions of environmental and food allergies, pain from inflammatory disorders, gastrointestinal ailments, and infection.
“MSM works - that's true,” says pain expert and assistant clinical professor at the UCLA School of Medicine, Ronald Lawrence, M.D., PhD. “But how it works ... has not been proven.” In a double-blind study of MSM's impact on degenerative arthritis, Lawrence found that patients who ingested 2,250mg (two to three capsules) of MSM a day for six weeks felt an improvement in their pain reduction by 82 percent, on average. “I've been practicing medicine for 50 years, and in all those years, I've never seen a substance like this,” he says. Researchers are not sure if MSM is so effective for arthritis because of its sulfur content, because of its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, or because of some yet-undiscovered mechanism. Some researchers are pointing to MSM as the possible explanation for why some cancers go into spontaneous remission. The answer here may lie in MSM's ability to assist in moving free radicals and foreign proteins out of the system.
A study published in 1986 showed that MSM was “effective in the chemoprevention of ... mammary cancers.” (Study by Dr. D. McCabe, Dr. P. O'Dwyer, Dr. B. Sickle-Santanello, Dr. E. Woltering, Dr. H. Abou-Issa and Dr. A. James, published in the Archives of Surgery, 12/1986.
The studies that were performed did not take into account any long-term effects of those people who use MSM as a supplement. Studies on MSM side effects are normally done on a short-term basis. For example, one particular study showed that it was safe for individuals to consume MSM for a period of up to 12 weeks. Very little is known of its side effects during longer periods of consumption. However, every individual would have different results upon taking MSM. There have been a few cases whereby minor MSM side effects have been possibly caused as a result of MSM. Some of these reported MSM side effects normally occur at the very start of taking the supplements, or if too high a dose is taken, but the effects dissipated soon after. The effects may include diarrhea, nausea, bad odor or headaches.
Because MSM is an organosulfur compound, the sulfur can in some rare cases cause bad odor. However, most supplements that contain MSM in a purer form would not produce this kind of effect. This could happen in the case where by the manufacturer of the supplements had failed to remove certain sulfur compounds during the distilling process, or it was manufactured using crystallization. In order to help prevent this from occurring, you should look at the supplements composition to determine if these kinds of compounds have been removed.
Other MSM side effects that have been reported include mild diarrhea, as well as some minor gastrointestinal discomfort. These may also include stomach upset or cramping. The reason why diarrhea may occur, might not be so much from any kind of negative MSM side effects, but could actually be as a positive part of the way that MSM works. This is because MSM is also known to have detoxifying benefits, which could actually account for any mild symptoms of diarrhea. The way that MSM works in detoxification is by dissolving many organic and inorganic compounds that can be found in the intestinal mucosa. MSN will react with certain toxins, which will affect inactivation and speed up excretion. This benefit whereby cells are able to increase their ability to excrete toxic waste, and the ability to increase the rate of intestinal excretion, could lead to the symptoms of minor diarrhea.
Sulfur is what makes rotten eggs smell so bad, and some sulfur-based supplements have been known to have particularly stinky side effects. MSM typically doesn't do this, but you should make sure your supplement doesn't contain other sulfur compounds.
MSM occurs naturally in several foods, such as pine nuts and milk, which has led to speculation that people with some food allergies can't take MSM supplements. Although there are nutritional supplements (such as glucosamine) that are off-limits to certain food allergy patients, that's not the case for MSM. All MSM in supplements is synthetically produced.
However, that doesn't mean you're home free on the allergy front. Different manufacturers may combine MSM with different ingredients. Before taking MSM, you do need to check these ingredients for allergens or other chemicals that might be contraindicated with your current prescriptions.
Even more importantly, be aware that the quality of synthetic MSM can differ dramatically. Some inferior MSM supplements contain trace amounts of heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, and those most certainly can build up in your system, with toxic effects. If it's produced at plants that produce other synthetic chemicals, some MSM may contain other contaminants, such as benzene or -- depending on the manufacturer -- pesticides.
How do you steer clear of such dangers? Look for MSM that has been purified by distillation, not crystallization. The crystallization process is where toxic elements can accumulate. Distilled MSM, on the other hand, ought to be chemically identical to the naturally occurring molecules.
MSM side effects such as nausea have been reported by some individuals. Although it is a very rare occurrence, it could be attributed to one of the positive side effects of MSM. As the body detoxifies itself, it can produce some uncomfortable cleansing reactions, which would include the feeling of nausea. This may be more noticeable if particularly high doses of MSM are being taken. In this case, reducing the amount of MSM intake may relieve or reduce this symptom. However, if these symptoms continue, you should discontinue its use and consult with a doctor before resuming. In some cases, it may be as a result of a particular brand of supplement that may contain certain other compounds, which could produce this symptom in certain individuals.
There are also MSM side effects that can occur in individuals who suffer from allergies. Because there are many different ingredients in MSM supplements, it is possible that a particular manufacturer will include an ingredient that can cause an allergy in certain individuals. It is also very important to be aware of the different types of synthetic MSM’s, as they can vary quite considerably. Depending on the manufacturer and reputation of the brand, you will find inferior MSM supplements in the market. These kinds of products will sometimes contain high levels of lead or mercury and other heavy metals. Over time, these will build up within the body's system and can lead to toxic effects. In order to avoid these kinds of side effects, you should look towards MSM supplements that have been manufactured through distillation. Supplements that have been manufactured utilizing crystallization are more likely to contain certain toxic elements, which may have adverse effects on your health.
The numbers of reports on MSM side effects are extremely minimal when compared to the benefits that it offers. There is still a lot of research that needs to be done on the long-term effects of MSM. However, most of the indications that have been found showed that it is extremely safe to use MSM supplements if they are manufactured correctly. MSM side effects are well worth possible minor discomfort when you take the many health benefits it has to offer.
Before taking methylsulfonylmethane, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Liquid products may contain sugar and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely. Not enough is known about the safety of using MSM during pregnancy or if you want to become pregnant and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use or contact your healthcare provider.
You can't actually be allergic to sulfur itself, because it's an element, not a protein. But plenty of people are allergic to sulfur compounds. Can you take MSM if you've had a reaction to a sulfonamide or a sulfite? Possibly -- the chemical structures are different -- but talk to your doctor first. Anaphylactic allergic reactions can be dangerous, requiring immediate medical attention. If there's a possibility of such a reaction, you should be near medical professionals.
Conditions That Have Reportedly Responded to MSM Supplements
Acne
Allergies
Arthritis
Asthma
Candida Yeast Infections
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue
Constipation
Diabetes
Digestive Disorders
Fragile Hair & Nails
Migraine Headaches
Muscle Pain & Cramps
Parasites
Skin Damage & Aging
Toxic Build-up
Ulcers
A body made up of healthy, flexible cells will not only feel better, it will look better too. The body is continuously at work replacing old, worn out cells with new ones. The process goes on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without stop. When all the raw materials needed for cell-building are available, it is a very efficient process. When there are deficiencies, the new cells may be weak, rigid or deformed.
One of the most important raw materials for building healthy new cells is a form of organic sulfur known as methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM). This element is found in every cell of every plant and every animal. Sulfur makes up 0.25% of human body weight. However neither plants nor animals can use elemental sulfur directly. Sulfur is not easily available to living organisms in its inorganic form.
MSM is not a medicine, a drug, or a food additive. It is a food. MSM is an organic form of sulfur that can be easily absorbed and utilized by the body. Although DMSO and MSM are chemically similar, each is unique. MSM is a pure, stable, white crystalline powder without the unpleasant smell or taste of DMSO. Also, MSM does not give you a strong body odor like DMSO.
Since sulfur is a component of all cells, it is essential that the body have a plentiful supply of this mineral in its usable form. There is a positive synergistic effect on building healthier cells when MSM is taken in combination with vitamin C. The new cells are more pliable and permeable, allowing fluids to pass through the tissue more easily. Internally this means more efficient elimination of toxins, a reduction in inflammation and pain - so you feel better. On the outside it shows up as a softer, smoother complexion, stronger hair and nails.
Approximately half of the total body sulfur is concentrated in the muscles, skin and bones. One of the most significant uses of MSM as a supplement is its demonstrated ability to relieve pain and inflammation. When rigid fibrous tissue cells swell and become inflamed, pressure and pain result. Since MSM can restore flexibility and permeability to cell walls, fluids can pass through the tissues more easily. This helps equalize pressure and reduce or eliminate the cause of pain. Harmful substances such as lactic acid and toxins are allowed to flow out, while nutrients are permitted to flow in. This prevents the pressure buildup in cells that causes inflammation.
MSM has shown a remarkable ability to reduce or eliminate muscle soreness and cramps both in geriatric patients and others. It's even given to horses to prevent muscle soreness, and afterward to reduce the risk of cramping. People with arthritis report substantial and long-lasting relief with MSM supplements. Taken along with glucosamine, a key substance in the process of rebuilding cartilage, MSM can relieve pain and help repair worn or damaged cartilage in joints, ligaments and tendons with healthy, flexible new cells.
Scar Tissue: Burn victim Bill Rich discovered MSM when a veterinarian friend had him try MSM. Bill's skin was flat, purple and leathery, up and down a majority of the right side of his body. After only a few days of taking MSM, Bill noticed an increase in stamina and energy, and, in time an astonishing effect on his scarred skin as it begam to heal, turn pink, and fill in. As of this writing, Bill had little more than a 2 inch section of skin that is still barely detectable after having more than 60 feet of skin graft scars.
Wrinkles: When the body replaces old skin cells, if there is a deficiency of MSM, the new cells are stiff and contribute to wrinkling. MSM supplementation helps the body replace bad cells with good, healthy, elastic cells. In time, wrinkles go away. Brown and black spots and skin tumors can be arrested and reversed as new cells replace the “insuffucient” cells.
Damaged Skin: It is the MSM in Aloe Vera leaves that sooths and repairs skin that has been cut, scraped, burned or damaged. The body then repairs the skin with the proper raw materials. MSM can be added to water, aloe vera gel, and other preparations for application to the skin. Best results are obtained when MSM is applied topically and taken internally.
Lung Dysfunction: Emphysema is not always caused by smoking. Horses and dogs get emphysema, and they don't smoke: It is a deficiency of MSM that causes this condition (welding fumes, smoke, etc. are an aggravation), and supplementation with MSM can reverse it.
Diabetes: Even diabetics can benefit from MSM supplementation. Self-regulation of blood sugar can occur because MSM allows for proper absorption of blood sugars and insulin, and even repair of a damaged pancreas. When there is an MSM deficiency, cell membranes become less permeable, the pancreas overworks and ultimately fails, while blood sugars saturate the blood stream instead of entering the cells to provide nourishment and energy.
Sore Joints and Muscles: Testimonials of some who are very physical active point to the ability of MSM to increase stamina and eliminate sore muscles. This is because MSM increases the ability of the body to eliminate wastes and toxins at the cellular level, where good health begins.
Candida Yeast: This organism belongs in the large intestine, where it co-exists with acidophilous and prevents the take-over of harmful bacteria. When acidophilous is damaged or eliminated by antibiotic use, Candida can overgrow to the extent that it becomes “systemic”, i.e. gets into the blood stream, where it competes for nutrients and emits waste materials that produce myriad symptoms of disease. MSM, by balancing the pH of the blood stream and tissues of the body, prevents Candida from living anywhere outside the intestines, where it belongs.
Ulcers: Can be life-threatening. See a physician. Ulcers caused by too much stomach acid can be reversed by MSM supplementation. Ulcers caused by h.Pylori bacteria can be treated with GSE.
Sulfur keeps the hair glossy and smooth and keeps the complexion clear. It is needed for synthesis of collagen and is prevalent in keratin, a tough protein substance necessary for health and maintenance of the skin, nails and hair.
MSM is responsible for the flexible disulfide bonds between cells, including those that make up the skin. It blocks undesirable chemical and physical cross-linking or bonding of collagen which is associated with tough, aging skin. Consequently MSM enhances tissue pliability and encourages repair of damaged skin. If there is insufficient sulfur in the body when new cells are being manufactured, the new cells will be rigid. This rigidity can contribute to cracking, wrinkling and unsightly scar tissue. When sufficient sulfur is present for new cells, the skin is softer, smoother and more flexible. MSM provides that sulfur.
Acne, including the severe acne rosacea, responds favorably to MSM supplements. Adequate sulfur and vitamin C are also needed for healing. When the body is deficient in these nutrients, the new tissue will be elevated leaving an unattractive, raised scar. Because MSM makes the skin more permeable and pliant, it can also help prevent blistering and promote faster healing from sunburn or wind damage.
With MSM supplements, nails show not only an increase in growth rate, but also increased toughness and resistance to chipping and cracking. This effect has been seen both in human nails and horses' hoofs.
When you're at the gym, tiny tears develop in the skeletal muscles you're working. The body rushes to repair those tears and reinforce the torn places. Over time, this process adds to your muscle mass.
Tissue repair is a constant process in the body. As we age, our bodies stop being quite so efficient at it. The collagen we produce gets less elastic. The skin gets saggier. The joints get stiffer. The injuries get harder to recover from -- that's why trauma (especially repeated trauma) can lead to arthritis.
Because sulfur and collagen are such major components of tissue repair, MSM is thought to promote the rebuilding of muscles and joint tissue. Some authorities recommend taking it in combination with other supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, to minimize the tissue damage associated with arthritis.
Does increased sulfur actually lead to more or faster tissue repair? We don't quite know. We know that reduced dietary sulfur inhibits tissue repair. But that's not the same thing as knowing that taking a sulfur supplement increases tissue repair. The body, frustratingly, doesn't work that simply.
Flexible, permeable cells are also important in that they allow toxins, allergens and foreign substances to be flushed out of the body more easily. When skin cells are soft and permeable, many toxins can be eliminated through the sweat glands, which takes some of the load off the liver and kidneys. While MSM is not a cure for allergies, supplementation may reduce symptoms by allowing allergens to be removed from the body more quickly. Even reactions to insect bites, poison ivy and poison oak are less severe when the diet is supplemented with MSM. Vitamin C is also synergistic in this application in that it can lower histamine levels.
MSM has also shown anti-parasitic action against Giardia, Trichomonas, roundworms, nematodes, Enterobius and other intestinal worms. When parasites attach themselves to the intestinal lining, they can live, reproduce and rob the body of nutrients indefinitely. MSM blocks parasites by competing for receptor sites on the mucous membrane. When parasites can not attach themselves, they are simply flushed out of the system.
The same is true with food allergens. MSM coats mucosal surfaces and occupies the binding sites that could otherwise be used by challenging food allergens. It can also bind with offending agents to produce harmless substances which are then excreted from the body. This facilitates normal digestion and assimilation and allows the body to get maximum nutritional value from foods that would otherwise cause a reaction. Individuals who experience an allergic response to certain foods have reported improved or complete tolerance to those foods when they take MSM supplements. Healthy flexible colon tissues along with improved digestion, can also relieve constipation.
Sulfur is also a component of insulin, the hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism and insufficient sulfur may result in decreased insulin production. It is also possible that a lack of bio-available sulfur would make the cells so rigid and impermeable that they become unable to absorb sugar from the blood efficiently, leaving blood sugar levels elevated. Studies indicate that regular MSM supplements which cause the cell to become permeable, could help balance blood sugar and allow the overworked pancreas to return to normal.
Love this prooduct November 07, 2007, By Suzanne Stout From New York
I have thicker hair now at 58 than I did at 15. My join paint iis gone, I think I owe it all to MSM. I take 2000-3000 mg a day.
Unbelievable good product October 25, 2008, From Netherlands
I take 2 pills a day and I almost can't believe the effect of it. I have back pain for almost 15 years now. I learned to live with it because I could handle it and didn't want to take medicine for it...4 weeks ago I started taking hyaluric acid also against pain in my joints with biotin. This combination helped to reduce the pain in my joints, but not in my back....After taking MSM in 7 days I felt that my backpain was almost gone!!! I really can't believe it, because I haven't felt that for 15 years!!! So I can tell you, it works for me!
Works great for back pain February 19, 2007
From California
I take two capsule each night before bed and no longer wake up with middle and low back pain. Highly recommended.
AMAZING Relief for Arthritis Pain and Stiffness ! ! ! March 31, 2010, From Texas
This product is amazing! It has made the difference between being unable to even walk around in my home, and returning to an active and virtually pain free life (YEA!). Taking 1 capsule 4 times a day works best for me, and I have had no stomach upset, even when taken on an empty stomach. An absolutely WONDERFUL product ! ! ! I have dealt with a "basketball knee" since my freshman year in high school. After five surgeries, anything resembling a meniscus has been removed, along with a varied assortment of bone spurs. At the ripe old age of 50, I have been assured that my knee is already over-due for replacement. After looking at my x-rays, my ortho-surgeon asked "how are you able to walk?", because the arthritis is so extensive. The most recent clean-up surgery left me in constant pain (for months) with severe swelling that caused my knee to "lock up" (limping around with a straight leg ...) I began taking 1 cap of ... MSM 4 times a day, and within two days, even the visible swelling in my knee had almost disappeared, and I was able to walk pain-free most of the time. After one week, I no longer had any pain in my knee, not even the constant dull ache that I had experienced since my 20’s. My daughter and I both have Sjogren's: I insisted she try MSM for her moderate rheumatoid arthritis, and she has experienced the same relief from chronic pain and improved mobility. My mother is now taking it for her “used joint” pain, and is amazed at the improvement. I love this stuff (!!!)...
Great product... January 31, 2009, From Florida
All I can say is that when I don't take the MSM, my body pains are noticeably worse. I've been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and I always have some type of back, neck, shoulder, or arm pain/soreness but the MSM greatly reduces it...
MSM July 27, 2009, By Shirl From Missouri
I take this product to relieve pain in my lower back, neck and knees which has become severe. Taking this product has greatly improved my problem. I haven’t been taking them long enough to completely eliminate the pain but I believe it will when given time...
love it December 20, 2008, By joe w brown From Arizona
been taking ... msm along with my extra strength glucosamine and chondroitin ... for a number of years now. used to have to wear velcro braces and eat asprin to sleep after working because of knee pain. started taking these two in conjunction and my knees quit grinding and crunching and gradually lost all swelling and pain. great stuff.
This really helped my tennis elbow February 06, 2008, From Texas
Great for tennis elbow
MSM November 22, 2007, From Alaska
Another great product at a very reasonable price. I have fibromyalgia and have tried a lot of supplements. MSM is really bringing my overall pain level down and I really appreciate it. It also helps my 88-yr old mom with her pain and reluctant bowels. I highly recommend it.