Methylsulfonylmethane or MSM, is a sulfur-containing organic compound that is produced by certain primitive plants. It can be found in small amounts in certain food items and beverages and is sold in the form of a dietary supplement.
As a dietary supplement, it is commonly used in combination with glucosamine and chondroitin which is used for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis although its biochemical effects have not yet been extensively explored.
MSM is shown to treat certain illnesses such as osteoarthritis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, interstitial cystitis and snoring but further studies and research are needed to prove its use as a medical therapy.
Previous experiments showed that a daily dose of 1,500 mg of MSM is effective in relieving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. A double-blind experiment was conducted on patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee and results showed that the patients exhibited a significant improvement in their physical activity and a reduction in pain without experiencing severe discomfort.
An experiment was also conducted to evaluate the effect of MSM on seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever where 25 subjects were given a daily dose of 2,600 mg of MSM for 30 days. The results show that a significant improvement in the symptoms experienced was observed among those suffering from this illness.
The FDA has approved, since 1978, the use of dimethyl sulfoxide or DMSO to be used as treatment for interstitial cystitis or bladder pain syndrome by introducing it into the bladder. MSM is a metabolite of DMSO, therefore it is possible that MSM is the main active ingredient that makes DMSO treatments work effectively for the patients.
A study was also conducted to test a clinical trial of an MSM-containing throat spray for snoring which was found to be effective in controlling loud and vigorous snoring but further studies have to be conducted to prove this claim.
Because of its polarity and thermal stability, MSM is used as a high-temperature solvent for both organic and inorganic substances.
It has been shown through nuclear magnetic resonance that MSM, when taken orally, is easily absorbed into the bloodstream and has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. It has also detected substantial amounts of MSM in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid
The dietary supplement and health food industry highly promotes MSM as a natural source of sulfur. It is this characteristic of MSM that provides added flexibility and permeability to the gastro-intestinal tract thus preventing diarrhea, constipation, nausea and hyperacidity.
MSM is also believed to reduce the incidence of cataract by allowing the appropriate level of fluids to flow through optical tissues and blood vessels thus, removing toxic substances on the way. MSM is also believed to strengthen hair and nails, and aides in the rapid healing of wounds.
Previous research show that MSM is effective in eliminating Giardia from the body, the parasite that causes giardiasis, a kind of diarrheal infection of the small intestine.
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