Methylsulfonylmethane MSM powder or MSM tablets, commonly known only as MSM, is a popular dietary supplement used to treat various symptoms and conditions.
It is a natural compound that contains sulfur and can be found in plants, animals, and humans. It can also be produced in the laboratory to create dietary supplements in powders or capsules.
MSM is widely used in natural medicine and by people looking for a natural way to relieve joint pain, reduce inflammation, and increase immunity.
Besides, research supports its use in treating several conditions, from arthritis to rosacea (redness of the face).
Here are 8 health benefits of MSM.
MSM powder can reduce joint pain, which could improve mercury quality
One of the most popular uses of MSM is to reduce joint pain and muscles.
MSM powder is beneficial for those suffering from joint degeneration, common causes of pain in the knees, back, arms, and hips.
Joint degeneration can negatively affect life quality by limiting your movements and mobility itself.
Studies have shown that MSM significantly reduces inflammation in your body. It also prevents the breakdown of cartilage, a flexible tissue that protects the ends of the bones in the joints.
A study of 100 people over the age of 50 found that treatment with a supplement containing 1,200 mg of MSM for 12 weeks reduced pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints, compared to placebo.
The group receiving the supplement also reported improved overall quality of life and less difficulty walking in and out of bed.
Another study in 32 people with lower back pain found that taking a glucosamine supplement containing MSM significantly reduced lumbar stiffness and pain when moving, plus a significantly increased quality of life.
Studies have shown that MSM is effective in reducing joint pain, stiffness and swelling. This can improve your quality of life.
It has anti-inflammatory effects, such as increased levels of glutathione
The anti-inflammatory properties of MSM have been well documented by scientific research.
MSM is believed to inhibit the NF-κB protein involved in your body’s inflammatory reactions.
It also reduces cytokine production, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), signaling proteins associated with systemic inflammation.
Aside from this, MSM powder can increase glutathione, a powerful antioxidant produced by the human body.
For example, taking MSM supplements significantly reduces inflammation in mice that have stomach ulcers by preventing the release of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-6, and increasing glutathione levels.
Another study involving 40 physically active men showed that taking 3 grams of MSM before an exhausting exercise reduces the release of inflammatory cytokines and prevents excessive stress of immune cells compared to placebo.
MSM can reduce the release of inflammation-related molecules, such as TNF-α and IL-6, as well as the strength levels of strong antioxidant glutathione.
It can speed up recovery after exercise by reducing muscle damage and stress
During exhaustive exercise muscle, damage and oxidative stress occur.
This leads to the fact that athletes often have inflammation and muscle pain problems, which can negatively affect their sports performance and interfere with training.
MSM can naturally speed up muscle recovery after intense exercise by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
A study in 18 men showed that taking 50 mg of MSM powder per kilogram of body weight for 10 days significantly reduced exercise-induced muscle damage and increased antioxidant activity after running 14 km.
It can also be useful for reducing pain after prolonged exercise.
In one study, 22 healthy women received 3 grams of MSM or placenta daily for three weeks, which led them to endure a half marathon. The group receiving MSM reported less muscle numbness and joint pain than the group receiving placebo.
Another study showed that male athletes who took 3 grams of MSM powder daily for two weeks had lower levels of IL-6 and less muscle pain after intense training.
MSM powder can help reduce pain, muscle damage and oxidative stress after intense exercise, which helps you recover faster.
MSM helps alleviate the symptoms of arthritis by reducing pain and stiffness
Arthritis is a common inflammatory condition that causes pain, stiffness, and reduced motion in the joints.
Because MSM has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, it is often used as a natural alternative to medications to improve arthritis-related symptoms.
A study in 49 people with osteoarthritis of the knee showed that taking 3.4 grams of MSM a day for 12 weeks reduced pain and stiffness and improved physical function compared to placebo.
Besides, it may increase the effectiveness of other common supplements used to treat arthritis, such as glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and boswellic acid.
One study found that combining MSM with glucosamine and chondroitin was more effective in reducing pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis knees than glucosamine and chondroitin alone.
Another study showed that taking 5 grams of MSM and 7 grams of boswellic acid daily was more effective than glucosamine in reducing pain and improving function in people with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Moreover, people who took MSM and boswellic acid as supplements were less dependent on anti-inflammatory drugs than those receiving glucosamine.
MSM supplements have been shown to help in reducing pain and stiffness in people with arthritis. They can also help improve physical function.
It can help alleviate allergy symptoms by reducing inflammation
An allergic rhinitis allergic reaction causes symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing, itching, runny nose, and nasal congestion.
Common triggers of allergic rhinitis include allergens of animal origin, pollen, and mold.
After exposure to the allergen, many inflammatory substances such as prostaglandins and cytokines are released, which leads to unpleasant symptoms.
Studies have shown that MSM powder can reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
It can reduce allergic reactions by reducing inflammation and inhibiting cytokines and prostaglandins’ release.
A study in 50 people with allergic rhinitis found that a dose of 2,600 mg of MSM a day for 30 days reduced symptoms, including itching, congestion, shortness of breath, sneezing, and coughing.
Besides, participants noted a significant increase in energy up to 14—days of use.
MSM can help reduce allergy-related symptoms – including coughing, shortness of breath, congestion, sneezing and fatigue – by reducing inflammation.
It can improve immunity and help you stay healthy
The human immune system is a specialized network of tissues, cells, and organs that protect the body from diseases and illnesses.
He may be weakened by stress, illness, poor diet, lack of sleep, or lack of activity.
Sulfur compounds such as MSM play an important role in the immune system’s health.
For example, MSM can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation that can weaken immunity. Because it effectively reduces the levels of inflammatory compounds such as IL-6 and TNF-a, MSM powder can reduce the stress of the human immune system.
Besides, it plays an important role in creating glutathione, the main antioxidant of the human body. It can also help increase the levels of this important composition.
Having adequate glutathione levels is crucial for the overall health and function of the human immune system.
Research has shown that MSM effectively restores glutathione levels and reduces inflammatory markers in muscle cells that HIV proteins have weakened.
MSM can help strengthen the immune system by reducing inflammation and increasing glutathione levels.
It can improve skin health by strengthening keratin
Keratin is a protein that acts as the main structural component in hair, skin, and nails.
It contains high levels of cysteine, an amino acid that contains sulfur. That is why inflamed hair leaves a characteristic sulfur smell.
MSM can be beneficial for skin health by acting as a sulfur keratin donor. This, in turn, can help strengthen this important protein.
MSM also helps reduce inflammation, which can damage skin cells and cause signs of premature aging, such as wrinkles.
It can even reduce the symptoms of problematic skin conditions, such as rosacea, which can cause redness, irritation, and skin inflammation.
One study showed that, when applied to the skin, MSM significantly reduces redness, itching, inflammation, hydrates the skin, and restores its color in people suffering from skin redness.
MSM can improve skin health by strengthening keratin and reducing inflammation. It can even help reduce the symptoms of certain skin conditions.
MSM may have anti-cancer properties
One of the most recent research areas involving MSM is studying its effectiveness in fighting cancer cells. Although research is limited, the results so far are promising.
Several studies have shown that MSM powder inhibits cancer cells’ growth in the stomach, esophagus, liver, colon, skin, and bladder cancer.
It seems to do this by damaging the DNA of cancer cells and stimulating cancer cells’ death.
MSM appears to prevent the spread of cancer cells, also known as metastasis.
A study in mice with liver cancer showed that those injected with MSM had a smaller tumor, fewer tumors, and less liver damage than those who did not receive this treatment.
Another study in mice showed that MSM inhibited breast cancer cells’ growth.
Although these results are encouraging, further research is needed to determine MSM’s safety and efficacy in cancer treatment.
Research has shown that MSM shows cancer-fighting properties in laboratory tests and tests performed on animals, but more research is needed.
MSM safety and side effects
MSM is considered safe and is generally well tolerated with minimal side effects.
Larger regulatory agencies, such as the FDA – the US Food and Drug Administration, have assigned the MSM the GRAS label, which indicates that safe to use.
Numerous toxicity studies have been done to assess the safety of MSM, and doses up to 4,845.6 mg per day (4.8 grams) appear to be safe.
However, some people may experience mild reactions if they are sensitive to MSM powder and MSM tablets, such as stomach problems such as nausea, bloating, and diarrhea. When applied to the skin, it may cause mild skin or eye irritation.
Also, there are concerns about mixing MSM with alcohol because other drugs that contain sulfur can cause side effects when mixed with alcoholic beverages.
However, studies have not investigated this potentially problematic combination.
The MSM supplement is generally considered safe. However, in some people it can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea and skin reactions.
Relationship between MSM and selenium
Selenium is a trace element that helps defend against pathogens. It also protects against harmful free radicals and is an important substance for the walls of blood vessels, eyes, and connective tissue.
Selenium brings to the site of using an amino acid that contains the sulfur methionine. When the body lacks sulfur, methionine is also absent. Consequently, selenium can no longer be transported and no longer reaches its application areas. Selenium deficiency affects the body’s defense system and makes people susceptible to inflammation and infections. If the important substance MSM is missing, many body functions are impaired.
How is MSM made?
Although wood and other plants contain MSM, it is uneconomical to extract MSM from plants because the concentration in plant fibers is too low. The MSM obtained from it is often highly contaminated and may not contain GMOs (without genetic engineering). Complex distillation and filtration at high temperatures are necessary, making the production of MSM in large quantities environmentally and economically unprofitable. Therefore, the production of MSM from these natural resources is not suitable.
MSM is also a substance found in fresh raw foods such as meat, vegetables, grains, fruits, coffee, and cow’s milk. However, organic sulfur is destroyed by cooking or industrial processing. The result is a noticeable lack of sulfur in our bodies. Therefore, MSM is becoming increasingly important as a dietary supplement.
Who should not take MSM?
Conclusion
MSM is a popular supplement with a wide range of uses.
Research shows that it can help reduce joint pain, reduce inflammation, improve skin health, reduce allergy symptoms, and speed up recovery after exercise.
Besides, some evidence suggests that MSM powder may improve the immune system and may have anti-cancer properties.
MSM seems to be safe, and research indicates minimal side effects.
Although the current MSM research results are promising, further research is needed to understand all of its potential benefits and possible side effects.
The price of MSM powder is very affordable and can be found in many larger pharmacies and health food stores.
