Health benefits of MSM
July 7th, 2008Posted in: Nutrition
Relevant tags: arthritis, pH balance, vitamin C
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a naturally occurring form of organic sulphur. Sulphur, along with carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen, is one of the five basic elements composing the human body. sulphur is an important building block of nails, skin, hair and other tissues.
MSM has been heavily marketed lately. As you would expect, many claims are made about the benefits of MSM. MSM is claimed to:
Reduce stress.
Relieve constipation.
Detoxify and energize the body.
Improve blood circulation.
Strengthen capillary walls.
Keep skin and nails healthy.
Maintain the body’s pH balance.
Speed wound healing.
Reduce or halt hair loss.
Reduce muscle cramps.
Help heal Candida.
Heal varicose veins.
Balance hormones.
Aid nutrient absorption.
Relieve migraines and headaches.
MSM research
The evidence is mostly anecdotal, but research shows some benefits. Studies in rats found that MSM delayed the onset of chemically induced cancers. Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who took MSM had significantly reduced pain and improved physical functioning. A throat spray containing MSM was shown to be useful for alleviating snoring.
Sulphur
In living organisms, sulphur is found mainly in organic molecules. Humans obtain it by absorbing the sulphur-containing amino acids methionine, cysteine, and cystine. Consumption of adequate protein should provide enough sulphur, and although sulphur is an essential dietary mineral, little mention of recommended intake is made. Since Americans consume way more protein than they need, sulphur deficiency is very unlikely. So it would seem that consumption of Methylsulfonylmethane is unnecessary.
Nevertheless, MSM may be a useful addition to the diet of some people. Scientific studies have shown MSM to be safe for human and animal use. Even at large dosage levels, there are no known significant adverse effects or drug interactions. Mr Cabbage Head suggests the use of Applied Kinesiology to determine if you really need MSM before you part with your money. Note that vitamin C must be taken with MSM.
References:
Blum JM, Blum RI. The effect of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in the control of snoring. Integrative Medicine 2004;3(6)24-30.
Hixson O. Acute intragastric toxicity (LD-50). Dimethyl sulfone (methylsulfonylmethane, MSM). Laboratory of Vitamin Technology, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, August 21, 1958.
Hucker HB et al. Studies on the absorption, excretion and metabolism of dimethylsulfoxide in man. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 155:309-317, 1967.
Jacob S, Lawrence RM, Zucker M. The Miracle of MSM: The Natural Solution for Pain. New York: Penguin-Putnam, 1999.
Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, Howard P, Buratovich N, Waters RF. Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2006;14(3):286–94.
Klandorf H and others. Dimethyl sulfoxide modulation of diabetes onset in NOD mice. Diabetes 38:194-197, 1989.
Spallholz J, Boylan M, Driskell A. Nutrition: Chemistry and Biology, 2nd Edition. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, 1999.



