There is a lot happening inside our body. It’s like a whole different universe inside. Our body needs many vital vitamins and minerals to function properly.
If there was a miracle cure for all of our ailments, would you take it?
If you had a choice of only ever using one supplement that would help you
regain your health and strength and relieve you of pain, would you take it?
If I say that there is such a miracle supplement that is based on sulphur, one of the prime elements necessary for our bodies to thrive, that could help lower your inflammation, helps in fighting effects of stress and pain, raises your immunity and increase energy levels, would that be intriguing enough to try?
Then let me tell you about MSM, and how it can help heal the body.
MSM stands for Methyl Sulfonyl Methane. It is a mineral that is water-soluble and not a vitamin. It is the fourth most abundant mineral found in the body. It is vital for maintaining tendons, ligaments, healthy joints, skin, hair, and other connective tissues.
It is also used to help and treat many other illnesses, painful symptoms, and diseases. This includes chronic inflammation, boosting immune function, and restoring healthy body tissues.
You will find this magical supplement as the basis of all glucosamine products used for alleviating and healing pain. In fact, it was originally used to treat inflammation in horses, however, the smell of the sulphur was so pungent that humans rejected it initially, until the manufacturers modified this smell, and made it more palatable for human use.
What is MSM?
Methylsulfonylmethane is the oxidized form of DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide). It is an organic sulfur compound also known as the organosulfur compound formed by lignan. It’s also known as methyl sulfone (dimethyl sulfone) or DMSO2.
It is organically found in some green vegetables and food products. It is also found abundantly in the human body, in animals, and milk. It is also a naturally formed substance from phytoplankton in the oceans.
This is famously used for joint health in supplements commercially due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
The many benefits of MSM as a dietary supplement are attributed to biologically active sulphur. It is also known as a sulfur donor due to its plentiful supply of sulfur.
In dietary supplements, it’s usually popularly used in conjunction with other ingredients to support joint health and boost connective tissue healing.
MSM Supplements Types:
MSM supplements are available in many forms and type that includes:
- Powdered
- Cream or lotion
- Gel
- Pill or tablet
- Liquid eye drops
- Crystals
It is popularly available and taken in powdered form, due to the belief that this is its most absorbable form.
The Benefits of MSM:
The benefits of MSM supplements are said to be many. But here we will list a few widely known perks.
MSM Boosts Collagen Production:
Collagen is a protein found in the body. It’s like glue that holds your body together. It is a protein that offers structural support to the skin and makes it supple. MSM promotes the production of collagen protein and makes your skin look younger, supple, and resilient. It reduces the aging effects by reducing collagen degradation.
The results are more enhanced when used with other antioxidants and vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A which all are known to build new and healthy skin cells.
MSM Aids in Digestive Problems:
MSM is known to help in rebuilding the lining of the digestive tract. It lowers the inflammatory responses in reaction to allergic responses to certain foods.
It also aids in treating leaky gut syndrome since it can help stop particles from leaching out the stomach through small junction openings, from where they can enter the bloodstream and start the inflammatory response. This happens due to the sulfur presence in MSM which is essential for the digestion process.
MSM Promotes Skin Repair:
MSM can boost cell regeneration and skin cell turnover rate. It helps in neutralizing free radicals. The MSM contains wound healing properties that may help in skin repair. The compound can help the skin in the healing and repairing process from injury, trauma, or damage caused by external stimulants like acne, scars, and cuts.
Keeping MSM in your skincare regime while cleansing, exfoliating or moisturizing may help even out the overall skin texture.
MSM Treats Osteoarthritis and Joint Pain:
MSM is well known for treating joint pain and osteoarthritis. Its well-researched benefits include improved flexibility, decreased joint inflammation, and restored collagen production. It is also known for producing connective tissues and repairing joints, tendons, and ligaments.
This is the reason it is commonly used topically on the skin and also taken orally as an arthritis diet and supplement, to reduce pain or osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease.
Research shows that the number of patients with arthritis, joint pain, stiffness, knee or back problems experience a reduction in symptoms and enhanced quality of life while on MSM supplements.
MSM Lowers Muscle Pain and Improves Exercise Recovery:
MSM acts like a natural analgesic that helps in preventing and treating muscle pains and aches. It also helps in reducing throbbing pain, and swelling whilst improving range of motion and mobility.
According to the study published in the journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, only 10 days of usage of MSM supplementation helped decrease muscle damage in combination with antioxidant capacity.
It is all due to the presence of sulfur in MSM which is also abundantly found in our body, and stored inside the tissues that make up our muscles and joints.
MSM helps repair the rigid fibrous tissue cells in our muscles that become broken down while exercising, hence helping to prevent swelling for longer periods.
Because it restores flexibility and permeability of cell walls within muscles, the nutrients can pass through the tissues more easily and resulting in faster repair work and removing lactic acid which causes that inflammatory feeling after exercise. As a result, less time is needed for recovery and reduced pressure, soreness, and cramps.
MSM Promotes Hair Growth:
Many of us struggle with thinning or balding as we get older. MSM usage has been a great help in this regard. It helps in boosting both collagen and keratin levels, two essential nutrients to grow these beautiful strands and form new hairs.
Our hair abundantly contains these two nutrients i.e., collagen and keratin. Many hair products available in the market contain MSM which gives strength, durability, and that beautiful healthy look and helps in reversing hair loss.
MSM Aids the Body in Adapting to Stress:
Many of us have heard of adaptogen herbs or supplements that help to control how the body deals with stress. MSM works similarly. Since it helps in boosting our body’s ability to heal and helps us bounce back from the after-effects of exercise, stress-inducing events, injuries, and surgeries.
Some people have the misconception that MSM makes you feel sleepy. That’s not true, in fact, it can aid in improving energy levels and reducing lethargy.
Fitness consultants usually recommend taking MSM before exercising, such as running or stressful workouts. MSM it seems to reduce muscle damage and other markers of stress. MSM also helps in reducing fatigue that is usually felt after exercise and stress-induced events and supports uplifting mood, energy levels, and normal digestion.
MSM Aids in Reducing Allergies:
According to studies, since MSM helps in reducing inflammation and decreasing the release of cytokines and prostaglandins, supplements containing MSM can also be useful in managing your allergic reactions.
A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine says that it can aid in reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis. This also includes itching, congestion, shortness of breath, sneezing, and coughing symptoms reduction.
Common Uses and Recommendations of MSM:
Some of the common uses and recommendations of MSM include treatment of:
- Chronic joint pain, including osteoarthritis, joint inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis.
- Autoimmune disorders and leaky gut syndrome
- Susceptibility to bone fracture and osteoporosis
- Development of scar tissue, bursitis, tendonitis, and other musculoskeletal pains.
- Asthma and allergies
- Yeast infections
- Muscle cramps
- Ulcers, upset stomach, indigestion, constipation.
- Hair loss, stretch marks
- Skin problems include sunburn, wrinkles, wounds, cuts, skin abrasions, UV light, and windburn protection.
- Eye inflammation, fatigue, high blood pressure
- Poor circulation
- Oral infections, toothaches, gum disease, and periodontal disease.
Other popular uses of MSM include:
- Acting like an anti-atherosclerotic which helps in preventing the hardening and thickening of arteries.
- Chemo-preventative compound,
- Natural anti-inflammatory.
MSM has been observed to aid the body’s natural free radical – scavenging abilities. This means that it lowers oxidative stress and also many ailments that come along with it.
It’s a popular anti-inflammatory because it blocks the release of pro-inflammatory mediators. MSM also helps in down regulating certain harmful signals sent from the immune system that can affect the whole body.
Recommended Dosage:
Since we’ve discussed how MSM helps the body to maintain health and helps in reducing painful conditions, the question that comes to mind is: how much should be taken per day, or how many doses should be taken daily.
The daily dosage hasn’t been established and recognized by FDA, because of the sulfur it contains. The reason behind this is that there are no proven symptoms of sulfur deficiency so far described in the medical literature.
The usual recommendations by physicians or fitness consultants are as follows:
500 milligrams of MSM to be taken twice or thrice daily for treating osteoarthritis for up to 12 weeks.
50 mg/kg of MSM in 200 ml of water taken daily for 10 days to treat muscle damage.
According to reports 03gm to 6 gm of MSM daily, divided into 3 doses normally considered to be safe and well-tolerated.
Side Effects of MSM:
MSM is considered to be well tolerated because of its natural and organic nature. It is naturally found in the human body. So far, no serious side effects have been reported. No long-term effects have been observed.
According to researchers, it can cause mild side effects for some people. Which includes indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea, and irritation of eyes and skin.
It is also said to not be suitable for those who take blood-thinning medications, because of its potential side effects influencing the heart and cardiovascular system that may occur.
Also, if you are pregnant, you need a consultation with your doctor.
Natural Sources of MSM:
MSM is organically found in the human body and foods. You can add MSM to your routine by consuming it by the food you eat. You probably already eating foods that contain this compound because of its wide availability.
Like all the other vitamins and minerals containing foods, it is important to consume foods in their whole or minimally processed form. If you cook or process too much of these foods, it is more likely that you destroy the naturally occurring MSM they contain.
Following are the foods that contain MSM in their natural form:
- Alfalfa sprouts
- Apples
- Leafy green vegetables
- Raspberries
- Tomatoes
- Whole grains
- Beer
- Coffee
- Tea
The Takeaway:
MSM is a well-known and popular element in dietary supplements that’s very well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known for providing aid in joint pain, seasonal allergies, and muscular discomfort.
Its anti-aging and hair loss defence benefits, make it popular in beauty products.
MSM can easily be included in your daily regime because it is well-tolerated by many people and have mild side effects if occurs.
As an aside, I have been taking MSM for select periods of time over the last twenty years. I personally have found it to be that miracle wonder supplement that I would never be without. I found that if you take MSM with liposomal Vitamin C, your skin becomes more radiant as this combination acts as a powerful collagen booster.
Having read this article on how to heal the body with MSM, what will you do to gain one or more of the benefits mentioned above?
Wishing you well on your journey to good health.
