MSM: The Sulfur-Rich Supplement With Anti-inflammatory and Joint Cartilage Healing Properties
MSM is one of the supplements I like to add to my smoothies...especially after workouts:)
Scientific And Historical Considerations
Methyl Sulfonylmethane (MSM) is a naturally occurring sulfur
compound, which first arose from a complex series of reactions in the
surface waters of the ocean, according our present scientific
understanding. (1) One of the products of oceanic phytoplankton
production is the compound DMS
(dimethylsulfide). DMS is a volatile liquid that easily finds its way into the upper layers of the atmosphere, where it becomes oxidized (photochemically) to form a variety of sulfur compounds, including MSM and DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide). (2) Rain of marine origin is the dominant carrier of atmospheric MSM, which provides much of the sulfur used to make biologically important sulfur –containing nutrients that we derive from plant and animal foods.
MSM’s hexavalent sulfur atom is abstracted by living organisms and is
primarily used for the biochemical synthesis of many divalent
sulfur-containing products. When MSM is broken apart by plants and
animals, a portion of the sulfur is used to synthesize
sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine and cystine) and another
portion is used directly to produce many other biologically important
organo-sulfur molecules (e.g., isothiocyanates, allicin, allyl
propyl disulfide, diallyl disulfide). (3) Yet, many foods contain
unadulterated MSM in its native form that has been absorbed from the
soil by plants and passed up the food chain. As such, MSM in its native
form is a common nutrient found in small amounts in grains, green
vegetables, fish, meat and cow’s milk. (4,5) In this native form MSM is
well absorbed and shows up in human urine with an excretion rate ranging
from 4–11mg per day. (6) Maintenance levels of MSM in humans has been
shown to be as low as 0.5–1.0 mg/kg of body weight per day. (7) Thus, a
person weighing 70 kg would require 35–70 mg per day of MSM, which
primarily acts as a sulfur donor to repair and restore damaged covalent
disulfide bonds and the sulfhydral groups of many enzymes. (8) In this
capacity, MSM is considered to be an integral part of maintaining the
structural integrity of connective tissues, cartilage, nails, skin,
hair, and certain enzymes, hormones, and immunoglobulins. (3)
From a therapeutic standpoint, MSM supplementation, at levels that
exceed those attainable from food alone, is emerging as significant
intervention in the treatment and prevention of a number of common
conditions. Thus, many holistically minded practitioners are showing a
high level of interest in MSM supplementation for use as a preventive
and therapeutic agent. In regards to stability, MSM is very volatile and
considerable amounts are destroyed during modern day food processing.
From a historical perspective it has been argued that MSM is a
chemical that has been present on earth for a very long time. During the
development of higher life forms on this planet three nutrients were
always present: water, sodium chloride and MSM. As such, MSM has
been shown to be a factor in the diets of our ancestors, which serves to
strengthen the notion that MSM may be an overlooked and vital nutrient
that is required for health maintenance. (3)
MSM In Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Conditions
For many years the compound DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) has been used as
a topical agent in veterinary medicine due to its well established
anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. (9) DMSO has also been used
by athletes for topical treatment of sports-related injuries involving
inflammation of muscles, tendons, ligaments and bursitis problems.
(10) Unfortunately, toxicity studies related to DMSO revealed that it
causes damage to the lens of the eye in animals, which was reversed when
DMSO was withdrawn. Although this effect has not been demonstrated in
humans, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was reluctant to approve
its use as a therapeutic compound for humans. However, in 1978, DMSO was
approved by the FDA for its use as an effective treatment for
interstitial cystitis. (11, 12)
An additional drawback to the use of DMSO is the strong garlic-breath
one is left with after its application. This occurs due to the fact
that the body metabolizes much of DMSO to DMS. (10) Approximately, 15%
of DMSO is metabolized by the body into MSM, which does not produce the
garlic-breath effect generated by DMS. (13) Unlike DMSO, MSM can be
taken orally for therapeutic purposes. It is very soluble in water and
is readily absorbed from the GI tract. (1, 14, 15, 16)
Animal studies have demonstrated that MSM has potent
anti-inflammatory properties and can help to halt the further
destruction of joint cartilage in osteoarthritis. These studies
also revealed improvement in joint mobility. (17, 18, 27)
More recently, a number of human trials have been undertaken to
establish the efficacy of MSM in musculoskeletal disorders. Drs. Jacob
and Lawrence have conducted controlled studies using MSM in cases of
arthritis. Dr. Jacob compared MSM to the over-the-counter, nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug, Motrin. Subjects in both groups reported the same degree of pain relief after one month of follow up. (19) Dr. Lawrence compared MSM to a placebo in a double-blind study. Results demonstrated that pain relief was significantly greater in patients given the MSM. Eighty-two percent of patients given the MSM reported significant pain reduction versus 18% in the placebo group. (20) Both Drs. Jacob and Lawrence indicate that the efficacy of MSM is further enhanced by combining it with glucosamine sulfate. (19) Both of these clinicians also use MSM supplementation in the treatment of back pain. For the treatment of a broad spectrum of pain and inflammatory conditions (non-migraine headache, fibromyalgia, tendinitis, carpal-tunnel syndrome) the authors cite figures of up to 70% of patients reporting marked relief of symptoms when MSM was added to the treatment regime. Other conditions that may benefit from MSM supplementation include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma and interstitial cystitis. (19) Dr. Jacobs has used MSM in the treatment of more than 18,000 patients suffering from osteoarthritis and a variety of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. It is generally accepted that MSM acts to support the structural integrity of joint cartilage, provides an anti-inflammatory effect to some degree and may have mild analgesic properties as well. The combination of these effects is thought to account for the results seen in clinical studies involving arthritic patients and patients presenting with other musculoskeletal and inflammatory conditions. (19)
anti-inflammatory drug, Motrin. Subjects in both groups reported the same degree of pain relief after one month of follow up. (19) Dr. Lawrence compared MSM to a placebo in a double-blind study. Results demonstrated that pain relief was significantly greater in patients given the MSM. Eighty-two percent of patients given the MSM reported significant pain reduction versus 18% in the placebo group. (20) Both Drs. Jacob and Lawrence indicate that the efficacy of MSM is further enhanced by combining it with glucosamine sulfate. (19) Both of these clinicians also use MSM supplementation in the treatment of back pain. For the treatment of a broad spectrum of pain and inflammatory conditions (non-migraine headache, fibromyalgia, tendinitis, carpal-tunnel syndrome) the authors cite figures of up to 70% of patients reporting marked relief of symptoms when MSM was added to the treatment regime. Other conditions that may benefit from MSM supplementation include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma and interstitial cystitis. (19) Dr. Jacobs has used MSM in the treatment of more than 18,000 patients suffering from osteoarthritis and a variety of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. It is generally accepted that MSM acts to support the structural integrity of joint cartilage, provides an anti-inflammatory effect to some degree and may have mild analgesic properties as well. The combination of these effects is thought to account for the results seen in clinical studies involving arthritic patients and patients presenting with other musculoskeletal and inflammatory conditions. (19)
Dosage and Toxicity
When administered as a single treatment agent a dose as low as 250 mg
per day has been shown to be effective. Other studies have used doses
as high as 2,000-6,000 mg per day. As indicated by Drs Jacob and
Lawrence, it is likely best to use MSM in conjunction with glucosamine
sulfate, and possibly other natural anti-inflammatory agents, to assist
in the management of arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders. (19,
20, 21)
As for toxicity, there are naturally occurring concentrations of MSM
in the human system of approximately 0.2–0.25 ppm, presumably
originating from food. (22) The LD-50 in rats has been determined in
excess of 20g/kg BM/d, indicating that MSM is an extremely
non-toxic compound. (23) Other animal studies of toxicity have provided
similar evidence, reporting no or very low toxicity at extremely high
doses. (23) In humans, MSM has been established as a safe supplement. At
high doses (2-8 gms per day), some gastric upset or diarrhea may occur.
(24,25) There are no well-known drug-nutrient interactions at this time
in regards to MSM supplementation. This implies that MSM can be taken
concurrently with other drugs and supplements. (26)
New Frontiers OF MSM Research
In animal studies MSM supplementation has been shown to prevent and
delay the development of colon and breast cancer in rats treated with
known chemical carcinogens. (13, 28) This may be due to its ability to
support methionine levels (helping to prevent hypomethylation of DNA,
which results in fragile chromosomal linkages leading to mutations) or
related more to its anti-proliferative action. (29,30) How this applies
to humans at this time is not known.
Practical Application
In recent years a growing number of anecdotal reports have suggested
that MSM supplementation is an effective, natural agent in the treatment
of cartilage injury, arthritic symptoms, and other conditions. These
reports prompted a number of investigators to examine the physiological
properties of MSM that may account for these beneficial outcomes, as
well as safety and toxicity issues pertaining to its oral
administration. Based upon reports of clinical trials and extensive
experimental studies, the risk to benefit ratio regarding the use of
MSM strongly favors the inclusion of MSM into the treatment regime aimed
at managing a number of musculoskeletal conditions. Thus, MSM, in
conjunction with other proven bioactive agents, is a viable treatment
option for health practitioners to consider in these cases.
