It is very important to monitor the health of joints and ligaments, especially when engaging in physical activity. This applies not only to athletes, but to those who suffer from joint pain caused by age-related changes or a lack of certain minerals.
One such important component of musculoskeletal health is methylsulfonylmethane or MSM. In this article, you will learn how this substance works and how to take the supplement to relieve inflammation or prolong health. We’ll also look at what MSM supplements you should take.
Chemical properties
Methylsulfonylmethane what is it? It is an organosulfur compound that can be found in some plants and foods. The chemical formula of the compound is (CH3)2SO2. It is also called MSM , DMSO2 , dimethyl sulfone . The substance is not officially accepted for medical use, but it is being actively studied, and its medicinal properties have been confirmed. The foods richest in organosulfur compounds are: sunflower and pumpkin seeds, onions, garlic, nuts, eggs, milk.
What are the benefits of sulfur?
The main reasons for using organic sulfur include: preventive and therapeutic purposes. For some people, this remedy may cause mild intestinal discomfort, which is considered a natural reaction of the body. Apart from the above effect, the use of MSM has not yet shown any alarming side effects.
MSM is used in the following cases:
- Prevention and treatment of joint diseases;
- Relieving muscle pain;
- Treatment of burns, wounds and ulcers;
- Reducing the visibility of scars;
- Treatment of allergy symptoms;
- Fighting inflammation of the urinary system;
- Fighting acne;
- Brittleness and brittleness of hair and nails;
- Damage to articular cartilage;
- Parasitic and fungal infections;
- Vascular atherosclerosis
The use of organic sulfur enhances the effect of nutrients such as:
- Vitamin C,
- B vitamins,
- Vitamins A, D and E,
- Koenzym Q10
- Magnesium,
- Selen,
- Calcium,
- Amino acids.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) and its pharmacological properties are not yet fully understood. The substance is believed to have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, especially in the treatment of inflammatory joint diseases. The product accelerates the recovery process of muscle fibers after physical activity, reduces pain in ligaments and joints, and takes part in cell renewal processes. Some researchers consider this element as a source of sulfur. There is evidence that the substance has a beneficial effect on the course of allergic rhinitis and accelerates recovery from interstitial cystitis .
MSM Supplement: What is it?
MSM is an abbreviation for methylsulfonylmethane used in the field of sports nutrition. Methylsulfonylmethane itself is an organic sulfur-based substance found in vegetables, meat, fish, chicken eggs, legumes and dairy products. However, its content in food is insignificant, so many athletes take dietary supplements that are a source of sulfur. The main benefit of MSM for the body is to strengthen joints and ligaments, but this is not the only beneficial effect of using methylsulfonylmethane. More details about what MSM is needed for will be discussed below.
MSM: benefits and harms
For the human body, methylsulfonylmethane is a source of sulfur, which is necessary in many metabolic processes. But an unbalanced diet, and even more so diets that limit the consumption of sulfur-containing foods, for example, a salt-free diet, quickly lead to sulfur deficiency. If its level is insufficient, then the anti-inflammatory activity of the body and the process of formation of proteins used in the construction of muscle cells, cartilage, bones and skin are disrupted. The cartilage tissue is depleted, the joints become less mobile and may become inflamed and painful. This will bring enormous discomfort to any person, and will also prevent the athlete from training. But sulfur is needed not only for cartilage tissue, it is involved in the processes of muscle building and regeneration of skin, hair, and nails. A sulfur deficiency will lead to slower muscle growth, poorer skin, hair loss and decreased nail hardness - these negative effects will be felt to a lesser extent, but will still occur. To maintain a healthy body, people consume MSM as a dietary supplement.
Methylsulfonylmethane does not cause any harm, as it is a natural source of sulfur found in many products. But if the instructions for use are not followed, MSM can cause side effects. If you repeatedly exceed the dosage of MSM or do not pay attention to contraindications, the following MSM side effects may occur:
- headache;
- feeling tired;
- dizziness;
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- other digestive problems.
There are not many studies on the side effects of MSM, so depending on the individual characteristics of the body, other negative effects may occur. If after starting to take the supplement you begin to feel worse, then the course should be interrupted and drink more clean water.
Contraindications to the use of MSM
There are no many contraindications to the use of MSM, since it is an organic compound found in many foods. However, dietary supplements contain fairly high concentrations of the substance, so manufacturers do not recommend taking dietary supplements to children and adolescents under 18 years of age, as well as to women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In these cases, it is better not to use the dietary supplement without a doctor’s prescription.
Reviews of Methylsulfonylmethane
Reviews about dimethyl sulfone are mostly positive:
- “... I bought this supplement because of seborrhea, I read somewhere that it could help. I received comprehensive treatment and also selected a good shampoo and conditioner. After the course everything returned to normal”;
- “... I drink the medicine and give it to my mother so that my joints don’t hurt or creak. It seems to help, the main thing is that there are no side effects”;
- “... I bought a supplement to improve my health; after I turned 30, my joints began to bother me. I took it along with chondroitin, but for some reason I developed an allergy and a rash all over my body. I had to stop taking it."
How to take an MSM supplement?
Scientists have not established the exact daily dose of methylsulfonylmethane; it depends too much on the individual characteristics of the body. The most common dose is 1 to 4 grams of MSM per day, divided into 1 to 2 doses. For acute joint diseases, doctors prescribe up to 6–7 grams of the supplement per day; exceeding this dose is highly not recommended.
The instructions for methylsulfonylmethane require taking it with food for better absorption and reducing the risk of side effects. How to use MSM depends on its form:
- According to the instructions for MSM tablets, they must be taken with liquid, the same applies to capsules. It is best to use clean, unboiled water.
- How to take MSM powder: The powder must be dissolved in water at a ratio that is comfortable for a person. The dosage of the substance itself does not change. The water temperature should be slightly above room temperature.
To increase the benefits of MSM, it is recommended to take it along with vitamin C. And some dietary supplements are a complex of methylsulfonylmethane and vitamin C.
Reliable brands of dietary supplements
When purchasing dietary supplements, you need to pay attention to its brand. The quality and safety of the additive depends on the manufacturer. Here are some examples of reliable brands that produce MSM:
1 MEGA MSM from Scitec Nutrition
Scitec Nutrition is a European manufacturer of sports supplements that has been operating for over 20 years. They produce methylsulfonylmethane in packages of 100 capsules of 800 mg. According to their instructions, MSM should be taken 3 times a day before meals. The cost of one package is 650 rubles.
2 MSM from Doctor's Best
Doctor's Best is another very old supplement manufacturer, but from the USA. They produce MSM in packs of 120 tablets of 1500 mg. It is recommended to drink them 2 times a day during meals. The cost of the package is 950 rubles, since its volume is much larger.
3 MSM from Be First
This Russian brand is not that old, the company was founded only in 2008, but its products are still of high quality. Another significant advantage of the company is the low price of its products. A package of MSM of 120 capsules of 1000 mg costs only 480 rubles.
MSM and vitamin C
The main purpose of combining MSM and high doses of lipospheric vitamin C is to enable cancer cells to revert back to normal. In this method, MSM is mixed with vitamin C so that it can be used as a “carrier” for vitamin C itself. High dose vitamin C, often given intravenously, has a proven track record of killing cancer cells. The addition of MSM makes it even more effective at blocking the “cachexia cycle” (that is, the lactic acid cycle that stimulates the growth of cancer cells), building the immune system, and directly targeting cancer cells.
MSM is also used effectively with vitamin D3. Based on the germ theory of cancer, a mixture of MSM, vitamin D3 (which is actually more of a hormone than a vitamin), colloidal silver and ionic magnesium acts as an antibacterial super solution. This mixture targets and destroys the microbial life inside cancer cells, thus turning them back into normal cells.
Again, MSM acts as a mechanism by which other substances can enter cells and do their work. The MSM-D3 combination is a fairly new natural protocol. It is also said to improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs, but should only be considered as an adjunct to other treatments until further research is done into its effectiveness.
How to get the most out of MSM
Getting nutrients in the form of food is always the most effective and efficient way to achieve your health. Some whole foods that are especially rich in sulfur are:
- bone broth
- green leafy vegetables
- raw milk
- organic eggs
- grass-fed meat, fish and poultry
There was a time when the soil in general was cleaner and richer in nutrients, and our diet consisted of much more raw, simple, organic foods. At that time, our diet provided us with all the sulfur we needed for health.
Unfortunately, cooking (and processes such as pasteurization) neutralize most of the MSM-based sulfur in food. Since most everyone's meals these days consist of cooked foods and pasteurized dairy products (with a glaring lack of raw vegetables), adding sulfur in the form of MSM is pretty much a necessity. Many experts believe that most Americans are sulfur deficient.
MSM supplements have been proven to be safe and are also one of the most effective ways to obtain the sulfur that our bodies need on a daily basis. However, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind as you search for an MSM supplement that's right for you:
- Stay away from MSM pills and stick to all-natural, organic powders or flakes. To make an MSM tablet, you need to use harsh chemicals to prevent the MSM granules from sticking together in the capsule.
- Start slowly, just a few milligrams to begin with, and then gradually increase the dose as you build tolerance. Taking MSM can sometimes be hard on the stomach.
- The best way to ingest MSM is to make “MSM water.” According to CancerTutor.com, this involves mixing half a gallon of 5
tablespoons of MSM in a glass pitcher. Shake well and allow the MSM granules to dissolve for 30 minutes. Then store the mixture in the refrigerator to use daily. Experts recommend 3-5 tablespoons of this “water” every day to maintain health (and much more if you use it as part of a cancer treatment protocol). Also, make sure that the water you use does not contain chlorine, as chlorine will tend to neutralize the effectiveness of MSM. - Finally, avoid taking any type of organic sulfur if you are also taking a blood thinner or high dose aspirin.
So, here it is - demystified methylsulfonylmethane. The most important thing to keep in mind about MSM is that it is the safest and most effective form of sulfur that comes in supplement form.
If you're considering MSM for daily health support, as a cancer prevention tool, or as part of your own cancer treatment protocol, take a moment to think about how you can also include essential sulfur from the foods you eat. Green leafy vegetables, farm produce: Eggs and hormone-free, grass-fed meat sources are not only high in sulfur, but also contain brain-healthy fats and other nutrients.
Methylsulfonylmethane: a natural energy carrier
We said above that MSM increases cell permeability. Due to this increased permeability, these cells need less energy to deal with accumulated toxins. Additionally, due to detoxification, it becomes easier for the body to absorb nutrients and in turn reduces the amount of energy spent on digesting food.
Haemorrhoids. Using a gel containing MSM , hyaluronic acid and tea tree oil may improve hemorrhoid symptoms.
Rosacea - rosacea. The use of a cream containing MSM and Vitamin E improves skin color and reduces the symptoms of rosacea.
Stress caused by physical activity. Taking MSM internally before exercise reduces muscle damage and other markers of body stress caused by exercise.
Side effects
No negative effects from taking or overdosing of sulfur were identified. Methylsulfonylmethane is an organic additive and is therefore considered as safe as possible. Another fact that should be taken into account is that very little research has been conducted on this topic, and, therefore, there is no one hundred percent guarantee. A dosage of 17.6 g per kilogram of body weight is considered semi-lethal. Some may feel great after taking MSM, while others, on the contrary, may complain of malaise, diarrhea, nausea, and digestive problems.
