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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