Also Known As:
Dimethyl-Sulfone
Dimethyl-Sulfoxide
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Joint Health |
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MSM - What does it stand for ?
MSM stands for Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane also known as Dimethyl-Sulfone. MSM is
a metabolite (a cousin) of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) which is now used in 120
countries by an estimated half-a-billion people.
MSM is an odourless, water-soluble, white crystalline material that supplies
a bioavailable form of dietary sulphur, which plays a major role in stabilising
and promoting numerous body functions. Foods containing sulphur include grains,
legumes, fresh unprocessed vegetables like garlic, onions, cabbage, broccoli and
Brussels sprouts. MSM is also found in meat, fish, poultry, eggs and milk (milk
for example contains between 2 and 6 parts per million) (1) When we take MSM
(organic sulphur) we are simply taking a mineral which should form part of our
normal daily diet.
MSM is a "Sulfonyl" - Methyl-sulfonyl-methane. It is not related to
the common sulphurs, sulphates, sulphites or sulphur drugs which are known to
cause irritation to membranes.
The Ancient Greeks were aware of the health values of sulphur, and used
sulphur fumes from garlic to treat many different conditions. Sulphur has also
been known by the name Brimstone for many years. Although sulphur is the fourth
most plentiful mineral in the body, and can be found in almost every cell, it is
only in recent times that we have begun to rediscover the importance of sulphur.
Recent interest in sulphur has been stimulated by its veterinary use in the form
of methylsulphonylmethane (MSM) on horses. MSM is a naturally occurring organic
sulphur compound found in all living plant and animal tissues. MSM is easily
destroyed by food processing, and this, in combination with the fact that
sulphur is continually excreted by the body, point to the possibility that
supplementation may be beneficial.
MSM is responsible for the flexible bond between cells, including those that
make up the skin. It acts to block undesirable chemical and physical
cross-linking or bonding of collagen which is associated with tough, ageing
skin. Approximately half of the total body sulphur is concentrated in the body's
muscles, skin, and bones. It is present in keratin, the tough substance in the
skin, nails and hair. Sulphur is necessary for making collagen, the primary
constituent of cartilage and connective tissue, but it is also responsible for
the conformation of body proteins through the formation of disulfide bonds,
which hold connective tissue together. MSM does this in conjunction with
vitamins and amino acids, and the process is going on 24 hours of every day. The
body never stops making new cells, and this calls for an unceasing supply of MSM
and all other essential nutrients. Tests conducted with laboratory animals
indicated that wound healing occurred faster with a group receiving MSM, but
even faster with both MSM and vitamin C supplementation. Common signs of
sulphfur deficiency, including slow wound healing, scar tissue, brittle hair or
nails, gastrointestinal problems, arthritis, acne, depression, and more. The
body is in a constant state of repair, but if we do not have all the necessary
'parts' the body will produce weak, dysfunctional cells.
Organic sulphur is a vital ingredient in the formation of keratin, collagen
and elastin (disulphide bonds) which give flexibility, tone and strength to :-
Muscles, bones, joints, internal membranes, skin, hair and nails. The human body
contains a relatively large amount of sulphur. Our skin, hair and nails all have
a high sulphur content - In fact if you have ever been unfortunate enough to
burn your hair or skin, the nasty smell that followed is the sulphur content
burning!
Nutritionists previously thought it was unlikely that we could become
deficient. During the last few decades however, a number of factors have taken
their toll:
Over farming of land leading to deficiencies in the food chain.
Long term storage of foods.
More processed and preserved foods.
A large increase in the use of fast foods and pre-prepared foods.
Consequently some people are now thought to be deficient.
MSM tastes a little bitter at first however, many people find they actually
enjoy the taste after a while. MSM is a pure mineral and can safely be added to
water, juice or any drink (not alcoholic). Dr Jacob has confirmed that it's
properties are not affected or denatured in any way by heat. It can safely be
added to boiling liquids i.e. tea, coffee, or any fruit flavoured drink i.e. hot
black currant which is lovely and warming in winter!
It has been suggested that the best time to take MSM is with or after food as
it will buffer it's absorption naturally. This is true with any mineral that you
take.
Why Take MSM?
MSM is a valuable nutritional sulphur supplement. Sulphur is, or should be,
the eighth most prevalent mineral in the human body, however, few people eat
enough raw, sulphur containing foods on a daily basis. Sulphur amino acids are
also the very best that you can take into your body and they should also be
available from complex proteins in our normal diet however, studies show that
many people are sulphur deficient. MSM is taken as a dietary supplement to top
up our organic sulphur levels so the body has the correct building blocks to
repair and restore normal functions wherever possible.
The Benefits of MSM
Joint Health - sulphur is important in the formation of collagen and
glucosamine, and therefore in the maintenance of healthy bones, joint, ligaments
and tendons. Sulphur helps nutrients and fluids to flow through cells by
increasing permeability, which also aids in the removal of toxins leading to a
reduction in pain and inflammation. Glucosamine is also important in the normal
function of joints.
Allergy - a direct relationship between the amount of MSM present in the body
and resistance to allergens has been established. In many people, this has led
to a substantial or even a complete relief of symptoms.
Hair, Skin and Nail Health - sulphur is required for the production of
keratin and collagen, important constituents of hair, skin and nails, and is
therefore important in the maintenance and repair of these components.
Blood Sugar Regulation - sulphur is required to produce insulin. MSM also
makes cells more permeable, allowing them to absorb blood sugar.
Antiparasitic Action - MSM has been shown to have antiparasitic action
against many common parasites, including intestinal worms.
Digestive System - MSM promotes digestion and the absorption of nutrients
enabling us to utilise the food we eat.
Eye Health - many eye conditions have been helped by MSM in drop form, and
also by supplementation because it soothes and softens the membranes.
Other - discoveries about the benefits of MSM continue to be made, including
stress relief, mental alertness, lung health, oral health, relief from insect
bites, and even helping with snoring.
Properties
MSM is a rich naturally occurring source of sulphur, which is required for
the structure and function of 150 compounds within the body, including tissues,
enzymes, hormones, antibodies and antioxidants.
Where does MSM come from?
The sulphur cycle begins in the ocean where microscopic plants called
plankton, release sulphur compounds which are transformed in the ocean water
into the volatile compound Dimethyl Sulfide (DMS).
This escapes as a gas and rises into the upper atmosphere. In the presence of
ozone and high energy ultraviolet light, a process called photochemical
oxidation occurs and the DMS is converted into it’s cousins DMSO (Dimethyl
Sulfoxide) and MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) which are highly soluble in water.
MSM and DMSO return to the surface of the earth in rain water where they are
taken up by plants. The plants and trees concentrate the compounds in their root
systems to surprisingly high levels. MSM and the sulphur it contains is
incorporated into the plant structure and mineralised through plant metabolism.
MSM is a remarkable and much underestimated nutrient. It is sourced from:
USA
Canada
The Far East
Note - MSM is not currently manufactured in the UK or Europe so all MSM is
imported from one of the above sources.
Manufacturing Facts
During the manufacturing process, MSM forms naturally in to crystals / flakes
of varying sizes. Some suppliers call them crystals, some call them flakes,
there is no difference except in name. The crystals / flakes are sieved through
very specific "mesh sizes" giving different grades of the product.
Sometimes the larger crystals / flakes are ground down into a fine powder - this
is where some problems may arise. The fine powder tends to lock together into
large, hard lumps which are difficult to process. Some suppliers add flow agents
like silica for ease of tubbing and product appearance. So free-flowing MSM
powder generally contains one or more flow agents. Once a flow agent has been
added it's very easy for an unscrupulous supplier to cut it with bulking
ingredients which are also available in fine powder form - take magnesium
Stearate for example or talc (a trade term for a cheap unscented bulking
ingredient)
The quality of the manufacturing process is critical whether crystals /
flakes or powder.
There are currently concerns about the purity of synthetic MSM imported from
the Far East. These concerns have arisen over the purity of the water used in
the manufacturing process. One manufacturer of synthetic MSM in the USA uses
pure water and has good quality control. One manufacturer in Canada, (organic)
uses very pure processing for MSM derived from natural source - (pine trees)
The other big question regarding MSM is that of organic v synthetic which
includes the question of bioavailability
MSM - The Importance of Bio-Availability
To be properly absorbed and play a useful role in the body, it’s essential
that minerals are in a form that can be readily assimilated and used at the
cellular level.
The common term used is - "Bio-available". Bio in Latin means
"life", "bio-available" means available to life, or more
precisely, available to the living cells of the body.
Organic v Inorganic - explained
It should be noted that herbs and herbal extracts have been used for their
curative properties for thousands of years and used correctly, rarely cause
unwanted side effects.
In contrast, chemically manufactured synthetic, substances (many
pharmaceutical drugs are synthetically produced copies of the elements found in
herbs and plants) are often incompatible at the digestive and cellular levels
resulting in the growing number of side effects experienced by people taking
prescription type medications.
The Federal Drug Administration in America publish annual figures of 100,000
to 120,000 deaths per year resulting directly from prescription medications with
a further two million people suffering from moderate to severe side effects ! -
The UK don't publish their figures ! It makes you wonder what the state of
health caused by people whom are taking regular prescription drugs supposedly to
help cure them of illness and disease.
It's hardly surprising that many people are moving away from synthetically
produced products and looking for more healthy alternatives i.e. natural organic
source products! This is a global trend, which is reflected well in the natural
health food market. People are looking to heal themselves.
Consequently, some types of MSM are considered to be more bio-available and
health giving than others.
1. Organic MSM is highly bio-available /
2. Pure synthetic MSM is deemed to be OK according to some doctors and
researchers. Impure synthetic is not !
3. Impure synthetic, usually derived from petrochemical source, is the least
bio-available
So, on to the different types of MSM and what they contain.
1. Inorganic source MSM
Synthetically produced MSM is manufactured in industrial chemical plants and
petrochemical plants in many Countries. This type of MSM, used primarily in
animal feeds (animal grade MSM), has found it’s way into multilevel marketing
(MLM) products and some well respected supplier's products.
The chemical composition is the same for both organic and synthetic MSM so
unfortunately a laboratory test won't tell you it's from an organic or inorganic
source. This is solely down to the trust you have in your supplier and the
motives behind their business. Some suppliers said there was no difference
between organic and synthetic, revealing their ignorance of the product.
2. Animal grade MSM
The basic form of MSM was discovered over 20 years ago but long before
studies were done for human nutritional use, it became widely used by race horse
owners and equine vets. Animal grade MSM, commonly called "Horse
Powder" is a basic and impure form of MSM suitable for animal use only. It
can sometimes be detected by a slight sulphur odour, also the crystals tend to
be very small in size resembling a powder, usually free-flowing as it will also
contain a flow agent.
Pure MSM has no odour and the crystal / flake size is generally larger. A
high specification laboratory report will reveal any impurities. Incidentally,
out of all the different types and brands of MSM available on the market,
LIGNISUL MSM ™ (Organic MSM from Canada) was the first to be manufactured
specifically for human nutritional use to exacting ISO 9002 purity standards.
Filler Test
There is a simple test which you can do to check if your MSM contains any of
the basic fillers like Magnesium Stearate or talc.
How to :-
1. Depending which form it is in, simply dissolve the contents of about 6
capsules / four tablets or 1 (one) teaspoon of MSM in a glass of warm water (MSM
dissolves more quickly in warm water).
2. In the case of Crystals / flakes, powder or capsules, after fully
dissolved, the water in the glass should appear totally clear. If it has a milky
or cloudy look it’s certain that it contains a filler/s. In the case of
tablets a small amount of Magnesium Stearate and Silicon Dioxide is generally
deemed necessary to the tablet making process !
The above test is for fillers only - silicates and flow agents do not show up
using this method - see below
MSM containing silicates, flow agents and anti-caking agents
Silicates, flow agents and anti-caking agents are added commercially for
product appearance and ease of packing.
If the MSM in a tub is like free-flowing powder it is almost certain to
contain one or more flow agents, though there is one manufacturer in the USA who
produces pure synthetic MSM powder with no flow agents - pure but synthetic !
MSM in tablet form
Cheaper grades of MSM are generally used in tablets. The tablet binding
process renders MSM less bio-available.
Tablets are great to take to work or while on holiday, so although you lose a
little on quality, you gain in convenience and ease of use!
MSM is a pure dietary supplement, not a drug, so rather like any other
supplement, when used with common sense it may be taken safely. MSM has been in
use for nearly 20 years. During this time there have been no reports of unwanted
side effects, neither has it been known to clash with prescription medications.
MSM has one of the lowest toxicity levels in biology and pharmacology. It has a
similar toxicity rating to water. MSM is now taken by an estimated 5 million
people.
Contra indications:
MSM and other minerals may be difficult to metabolise by people suffering
from autism spectrum disorder.
If you should experience any unusual reaction always consult your GP or a
registered nutritionist who will be able to advise you.
Remember, if you have a serious health complaint you should always consult
your GP and ask his or her advice.
Who Discovered MSM?
The existence of MSM was discovered by a Russian scientist around 100 years
ago.
The significant discoveries regarding it’s health giving properties
however, have been brought to light during the last 34 years by the dedicated
research of Dr Stanley W Jacob of the Oregon Health Sciences University.
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