MSM

MSM (methylsulphonylmethane) is a clear, highly water-soluble, crystalline substance containing sulphur, which is vital for maintenance of joints, cartilage, skin, hair and nails, and for many vital biochemical processes in the body, including energy production. MSM may also have an effect on the permeability of cell walls, allowing increased uptake of other supplements by cells.

It has an immune ‘normalising’ effect and may be helpful in some autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma. Taking MSM or the related compund, DMSO regularly may lead to a noticeable increase in hair and nail growth!

MSM is found naturally in small amounts of many foods and is produced in the body from the related sulphur bearing organic compound DMSO, which has similar effects and benefits to MSM. As a dietary supplement, MSM is synthesised, and the synthetic compound is identical to that found in nature.

MSM is non-toxic and has been shown to be particularly beneficial for joint problems including psoriatic arthritis. It can be taken alone or in combination with other joint health supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin.

MSM is also used to reduce scar tissue formation following burns or other injury, to reduce subsequent keratosis of scar tissue, and also to increase flexibility of keratoid scarring. It works by altering the chemical cross-linking that occurs in collagen, making it more flexible and more susceptible to the normal cellular repair processes. Methylsulfonylmethane has been approved by the FDA for treatment of interstitial cystitis, and under US law, this means that a physician is able to prescribe it for any condition he or she thinks will benefit.

MSM also appears to effective a a component of a regime to control candida overgrowth. The mechanism is uncertain but may be connected with normalisation of general body pH (acidity/alkalinity), which in turn may help confine candida to the gut.

A typical regime for most purposes is 4-500 mg taken twice daily in water, although considerably greater quantities could be taken safely under most conditions. Creams containing MSM can be applied topically to scars or wounds in any reasonable quantity and frequency.

Some proponents of the use of MSM for ‘detoxing’ report remarkable beneficial effects from taking heavy doses over an extended period, although the evidence for this is largely anecdotal.

A few users of MSM have reported feelings of anxiety and chest constriction, but such reactions are uncommon, and may result from rapid release of toxins stored in fat cells due to increased permeability of the cell walls. Some gastrointestinal upsets and headaches are also occasionally experienced following ingestion of MSM.