MSM is a sulfur-containing compound found in a wide range of human foods including fruits, vegetables, grains, and beverages. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a popular dietary supplement promoted for a variety of conditions including pain, inflammation, allergies, arthritis, and the maintenance of normal keratin levels in hair, skin and nails. Despite its popularity, there is little published human data on MSM except that it may be helpful in seasonal allergic rhinitis and that it is able to cross the blood brain barrier. Studies in rats show MSM to have very low toxicity.   

Joint Power Rx formula
Glucosamine sulfate (from shellfish) - Glucosamine Sulfate is a popular ingredient in many joint health products
Chondroitin sulfate - chondroitin is a popular ingredient in many joint health products. You can find Chondroitin-Sulfate here.
CMO complex also known as cetyl myristoleate
Boswellia serrata extract is used in Ayurvedic medicine
You can find Curcumin product here.
Cat's claw extract comes from the Amazon jungle Joint Power Rx formula
Devil's claw extract has been studied in arthritis
Grape seed extract is a potent antioxidant
Lipoic acid pill used as a free radical quencher
Turmeric root extract, curcumin is quite popular as a supplement

MSM research review
Researchers from the Nestle Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland, Laurent G. Ameye and Winnie S.S. Chee, have concluded that of 2,026 human clinical trials evaluating the effects of nutritional compounds on osteoarthritis, only 53 studies provided minimum acceptable evidence and only three nutrients, including methylsulfonylmethane or MSM, showed good to moderate evidence. The research was published in Arthritis Research & Therapy, July 2006. The study did not include evidence for glucosamine or chondroitin sulfates, which are known to have significant research support. Good evidence was found for avocado soybean unsaponifiables. Moderate evidence was found for methylsulfonylmethane MSM. In regards to MSM, the research noted two randomized clinical trials, qualified to be evaluated in this systematic review.
   Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, Howard P, Buratovich N, Waters RF. Efficacy of methylsulfonyl-methane MSM in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2006;14:286–94; Usha PR, Naidu MUR. Randomised, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study of oral glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane MSM and their combination in osteoarthritis. Clin Drug Invest 2004; 24:353–63. According to the best-evidence synthesis, “MSM provides moderate evidence of efficacy for knee osteoarthritis.”

MSM arthritis treatment
MSM has become a popular dietary supplement for arthritis pain relief, but few studies have been conducted involving actual human patients. Researchers from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Ariz., and the Arthritis Health Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, gave 3 grams of MSM twice a day to 25 knee arthritis sufferers in a randomized, double-blind trial. The study lasted 3 months. The age of the men and women ranged between 40 to 75 years. The patients taking MSM pill reported significant decreases in pain and improvements in their physical function, compared with a control group taking a placebo. However, no notable differences were found in stiffness or aggregated total symptoms.
   Comments: 6 g of MSM daily is a very high dose, and we suggest using a smaller amount since most people will probably take MSM longer than just 3 months. Also, if MSM is combined with other nutrients and herbs used for arthritis, the dosage would have to be further reduced.

MSM glucosamine combination for arthritis
Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis.
Clin Drug Investig. 2004. Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India.
MSM, the isoxidised form of dimethyl-sulfoxide (DSMO), is an effective natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of oral glucosamine, MSM, their combination and placebo in osteoarthritis of the knee. A total of 118 patients of either sex with mild to moderate osteoarthritis were included in the study and randomised to receive either glucosamine 500mg, MSM 500mg, glucosamine and MSM or placebo capsules three times daily for 12 weeks. Glucosamine, MSM and their combination produced an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect in osteoarthritis. Combination therapy showed better efficacy in reducing pain and swelling and in improving the functional ability of joints than the individual agents. All the treatments were well tolerated. The onset of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity was found to be more rapid with the combination than with glucosamine alone. It can be concluded that the combination of MSM with glucosamine provides better and more rapid improvement in patients with osteoarthritis.

MSM for seasonal allergy
A multicentered, open-label trial on the safety and efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Barrager E, Veltmann JR Jr, Schauss AG, Schiller RN. GENESIS Center for Integrative Medicine, Graham, WA, USA. J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Apr;8(2):167-73.

MSM emails
Q. I am interested in MSM and joint products as I am in very bad pain from arthritis in hip and back. My question is that I am allergic to sulphur based drugs eg. Bactrim an antibiotic that if I use will send me to a hospital emergency ward. Is the sulphur in MSM the same thing? Have you had any people with this allergy try MSM supplements?
   A. Sulfur is a natural mineral found in the body and we are not aware of allergy to sulfur itself. Some people are concerned that if they are allergic to sulfa drugs they would also be allergic to sulfur. Sulfa drugs are actually sulfonamides and are derivatives of para-amino benzoic acid. When a sulfonamide drug is ingested, it is metabolized in the body and then has the potential of attaching itself to proteins, leading to a larger molecule that could be considered an allergen.

Q. With MSM cream, can one mix Passion Rx herbs or DHEA hormone or other product with it and have it enter the body transdermally.
   A. We've never tested this transdermal route for Passion Rx or other supplements. It is possible DHEA may enter but we doubt herbs can enter easily. Simply, we don't know for sure.

Q. I have been using MSM glucosamine capsules for over 2 years. I have ordered them from in internet company and also found a product of the MSM Emu gel from that same company. As I had success with the capsules, and continue to have success, I have also tried the MSM gels. I suffer from severe nighttime leg pains in the calves and thighs and have suffered with fibromyalgia for years. So far this regime of the MSM capsules and the MSM gel for the topical pain relief is the only things that really helps consistently. Everything else that is being prescribed seems to have such severe side effects, that I don't want to take anything.

Q. Do you have glucosamine and chondroitin without MSM? I am allergic to sulfa and cannot tolerate MSM.
   A. Glucosamine and chondroitin are widely available as supplements together or separately. We have not seen any reliable studies in regards to MSM allergy.

Q. I cannot find any information about the Sulfonyl- group in MSM. Nothing has been said about possible allergic responses to it in those people who are allergic to sulfa drugs. I am allergic to sulfa drugs and had a bad allergic reaction to the sulfonylamide in the air while synthesizing it during a college biochemistry class. (It also blistered my skin where a drop of the alcohol solvent touched me). Years later, when I tried MSM combined with glucosamine and chondroitin it made me feel very tired and weary, even though the dual glucosamine chondroitin supplement normally made me and my joints feel much better. I'm wondering if perhaps I was having some kind of allergic response.
   A. Sulfonyl comes from sulfonic acid through the removal of the hydroxyl group. Sulfonyl groups have two double bonds between the sulfur and oxygen. A sulfonyl group is different that sulfa drugs. Feeling tired is not necessarily due to an allergic reaction.

Q. I understand hyaluronic acid is being promoted for joint health along with MSM. What is the info on this supplement?
   A. See the link provided.

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