MSM

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.