What is MSM?
Methylsulfonylmethane, more commonly known as MSM, is a popular dietary supplement used to treat a wide array of symptoms and conditions. It’s a sulfur-containing compound found naturally in plants, animals and humans. MSM is widely used by people looking for a natural, scientifically-backed way to relieve joint pain, reduce inflammation and boost immunity. MSM is considered very safe and is generally well tolerated with minimal side effects.
INJURIES AND ARTHRITIS
MSM helps relieve joint pain and stiffness. In fact, research shows that MSM protects against rheumatoid arthritis and can help reduce pain and physical inability in osteoarthritis. More mobility, less pain. A study by the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Science in Arizona showed that after 30 days on MSM, patients with osteoarthritis of the knee experienced significantly less pain and more mobility than those who didn’t take the MSM.
Less cartilage damage. Two studies from the UCSD Department of Orthopaedic Surgery published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage showed that MSM limits the release of inflammation-fuelling molecules and reduces the presence of destructive enzymes in osteoarthritic cartilage cells.
Less inflammation. A 2008 report published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Journal showed that MSM can help to hold back joint pain by reducing inflammation and preserving the joint cartilage in mice with osteoarthritis of the knee.
CHRONIC PAIN
Perhaps the most remarkable discovery regarding MSM is that it is an effective pain killer. MSM works for many types of chronic pain. In March 1999, Stanley W. Jacob, M.D., and Ronald M. Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D., published “The Miracle of MSM: The Natural Solution for Pain”. Their book was based on their experience as medical doctors and MSM researchers. Combined, they have over 20 years of experience with fighting pain with MSM. They concluded that of more than 18,000 patients that suffered from chronic pain, about 70% experienced benefits from the use of MSM, finding that pain either diminished or disappeared altogether.
MSM is a natural analgetic as it blocks the transfer of pain impulses through nerve fibers (C-fibers). It blocks inflammations and inflammatory processes. MSM is also a muscle relaxant; an important and often overlooked benefit. Many chronic pains are aggravated by chronic muscle tension in the body.
MSM FOR ATHLETES
Society’s healthiest members incorporate MSM into their nutritional regimens in order to accelerate their workouts and enhance their recoveries. In the veterinary market, MSM is widely used among thoroughbred horse trainers, who employed it to accelerate muscle recovery and reduce injuries in their 4-legged racing champions. Here’s how MSM benefits athletes:
Helps combat exercise-induced inflammation.- Decreases muscle damage and soreness.
- Promotes connective tissue repair and regeneration.
- Prevents cartilage breakdown.
- Supports healthy joints and range of motion.
- Reduces oxidative stress following exercise.
- Increases overall antioxidant defense.
Why do you need MSM?
MSM is intended for everyone who appreciates good health. Sports enthusiasts and athletes can use it to improve their performance and speed up recovery after workouts. People with degenerative diseases can use it to drastically improve their health and quality of life.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is a sulfur-based compound that occurs naturally in your body and can also be found in everyday foods like green vegetables, onions, milk, and seafood. MSM is a beneficial nutrient for your bone health, helping conditions like arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis.
Nails and hair primarily consist of a tough protein with a high sulfur content, known as keratin. Flexible tissues like connective tissue and cartilage contain proteins with flexible sulfur bonds. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and a major component of all connective tissue. In skin, collagen works with fibers of another protein called elastin, to give skin its elasticity. In cartilage, the sulfur containing proteoglycans glucosamine and chondroitin form with collagen, a fibrous protein substance that gives cartilage its structure and flexibility.
The sulfur provided by MSM produces can produce generous quantities of collagen and keratin, both of which are vital for healthy hair and nails. In fact, MSM is often referred to as the ‘beauty mineral’ owing to its ability to add to enhance the thickness and strength of nails as well as hair in a very short span of time.
Here’s a summary of science-backed reasons why you need MSM in your diet:
- Decrease Joint Pain, Which Could Improve Your Quality of Life
- Anti-Inflammatory Effects, Such as Increasing Glutathione Levels
- Speed Recovery After Exercise by Reducing Muscle Damage and Stress
- Alleviate Arthritis Symptoms by Reducing Pain and Stiffness
- Relieve Allergy Symptoms by Reducing Inflammation
- Boost Immunity and Help to Stay Healthy
- Improve Skin Health by Strengthening Keratin
- Cancer-Fighting Properties