What is MSM?

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MSM

Healthylife Pharmacy20 February 2018|4 min read

MSM is an organic sulphur-containing compound that has many structural and functional roles in the body. It can be used to reduce joint inflammation, restore healthy bodily tissue and improve immune function. MSM is a component of glutathione and N-acetylcysteine which act as potent antioxidants within the body.

Sulphur could be lacking in your diet

Sulphur is found in animal parts, eggs, vegetables such as broccoli, sea vegetables and some fruits. In today’s diet—sulphur intake can be minimal because people lack these foods in their diet. Sulphur can easily be destroyed if the food isn’t fresh, is processed or cooked at high temperatures. We all have sulphur present in our bodies at all times, but our sulphur levels can drop as we get older, when we’re stressed and if we normally eat a low-nutrient diet.

How MSM works?

The reason so many benefits are attributed to the MSM supplement is because MSM provides biologically active sulphur, which is the fourth most plentiful mineral in the body. Sulphur is a crucial component of many amino acids (methionine, cysteine, homocysteine, taurine), enzymes, hormones, antioxidants and other endogenous compounds.

One of sulphur’s more significant biological roles is the development and maintenance of connective tissue. Connective tissue supports and binds other tissues of the body—including cartilage, tendons, ligaments and joints. This is why MSM is so effective for osteoarthritis, joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis.

Summary of what MSM does

  • Reduces inflammation
  • Potent antioxidant
  • Modulates the immune system
  • Repairs connective tissue

Benefits of MSM supplementation

Osteoarthritis and joint pain

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease which causes wear of cartilage and joint pain and inflammation. A well-researched benefit of MSM is that it provides pain relief and improves joint mobility.

A clinical trial testing the effects of MSM on joint pain in 49 patients with osteoarthritis found that compared to a placebo, MSM supplements taken over 12 weeks resulted in improvements in pain, swelling and joint mobility. MSM supplements were given in 1.125 g doses three times daily. However, another similar trial found MSM effective at an even lower dose—500mg three times daily.

MSM is commonly integrated with other anti-arthritic agents including glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and boswellic acid.

Reduces inflammation

In addition to joint inflammation, MSM has the ability to reduce inflammation in a number of other conditions. In animal studies MSM reduced inflammatory mediators in vivo for induced colitis, lung injury and liver injury. Hasegawa and colleagues reported that MSM was useful in protecting against UV-induced inflammation when applied topically and promoted healing. In humans, MSM is effective at reducing other inflammatory pathologies including interstitial cystitis and allergic rhinitis.

Muscle soreness

Prolonged strenuous exercise can result in muscle soreness caused by microtrauma to muscles and surrounding connective tissue leading to a local inflammatory response.

MSM is alluded to be an effective agent against muscle soreness because of its anti-inflammatory effects as well as its possible sulphur contribution to connective tissue.

In clinical trials endurance exercise-induced muscle damage and joint pain was reduced with MSM supplementation, as measured by creatine kinase (a marker of inflammation). Pre-treatment with MSM reduced muscle pain following strenuous resistance exercises and endurance exercise.

MSM and cancer

An emerging area of MSM research deals with the anti-cancer effect of the organosulfur compound. In vitro studies using MSM alone or in combination have evaluated the effects of a number of cancer cell lines including breast, oesophagus, stomach, liver, colon, bladder, and skin cancers with promising results. MSM independently has been shown to be cytotoxic to cancer cells by inhibiting cell viability through the induction of cell cycle arrest or death. The inhibition of cell growth and proliferation may be attributed to the metabolic alterations induced by MSM.

Healthy skin

MSM is not just found as a supplement it can also be found in topical creams. When applied to the skin it can assist in collagen production which is necessary to reduce signs of ageing such as wrinkles, sagging and dryness.

In addition to this, MSM may reduce skin discolouration, sun spots and scar formation—to assist in keeping a youthful appearance.

Research from a 2008 study found that a topical cream containing silymarin from Milk thistle and MSM was effective in managing the symptoms of rosacea skin. Rosacea is a chronic skin condition associated with acne, redness, facial flushing and rash. After one month there was a significant improvement in skin redness, pimples, itching, hydration and overall skin colour.

Other uses of MSM

MSM may benefit other conditions including:

  • Leaky gut syndrome
  • Allergies and asthma
  • Hair loss
  • Eye inflammation
  • Poor circulation and oedema
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Wounds, cuts and skin abrasions
  • Yeast infections
  • Muscle cramps
  • Bursitis and tendonitis

Safety information

MSM is usually very well tolerated as it is completely natural and already found in the human body. The use of MSM in pregnancy and lactation has not been scientifically evaluated and should be avoided or used with extreme caution. There are no known drug interactions with MSM, but it should be used with caution in those with a sulphur allergy and taking blood thinning medications. Mild gastrointestinal upsets may occur and include flatulence, diarrhoea or indigestion. To avoid these possible side-effects, it’s best to start off with a lower dose and take within the recommended dosages.

References

  1. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks#1
  2. Eytan M Debbi, et al. Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane supplementation on osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled study. BMC Complement Altern Med. June 2011; 11: 50
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3141601/
  4. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017 Jul 21;14:24. doi: 10.1186/s12970-017-0181-z. eCollection 2017.
  5. Withee ED, et al. Effects of Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) on exercise-induced oxidative stress, muscle damage, and pain following a half-marathon: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28736511
  7. Berardesca E, et al. Combined effects of silymarin and methylsulfonylmethane in the management of rosacea: clinical and instrumental evaluation. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2008 Mar;7(1):8-14
  8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18254805
  9. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2011 Feb 12;57(1):62-9.
  10. Butawan M, et al. Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement. Nutrients. 2017 Mar 16;9(3)
  11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28300758