The Benefits of MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
If you are considering adding a MSM supplement to your diet, CNCA invites you to learn more. You'll find general information on this page about the benefits of MSM, one of many high-quality supplements only available through our online store.
At CNCA, we are dedicated to developing our own custom formulas of dietary supplements of uncompromised quality. Unlike lesser nutritional supplements which may contain harmful contaminants or may lack optimal potency, CNCA offers premium-quality supplements that are a result of careful testing, collaboration with medical professionals, and are supported by the latest scientific research.
What Is MSM?
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a water-soluble, organic form of the mineral sulfur, found naturally in a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and in animals, including humans (the highest concentrations found in mother's milk) in at least trace amounts. MSM is also found in plants, such as Equisetem arvense, or horsetail. First discovered in 1939, MSM was extensively studied during the 1960s by the pharmaceutical company, Merck. It was introduced in 1989 to promote joint mobility in animals, and finally introduced for human use in 1993. MSM has also been clinically shown to promote a healthy immune response to common allergens. Most recently, research suggests MSM may help maintain healthy homocysteine levels, a marker of heart health.
MSM is related to DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), a topical liquid developed and extensively studied by Dr. Stanley W. Jacob, former head of the organ transplant unit at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon. By adding one atom of oxygen to DMSO, the result is DMSO2, a white powder, which is better known as MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). Why “MSM”? Because of its widespread popularity in 1989, Robert Herschler, a biochemist who worked closely with Dr. Jacob, named the ingredient MSM to clearly distinguish it from similar-sounding, but very toxic, sulfur compounds. Creating a distinctive name for this compound was Herschler’s deliberate effort to protect the public health.
What are the Purity Issues with MSM?
All MSM is manufactured by reacting DMSO with hydrogen peroxide and water. This process creates the exactly identical MSM found in mother’s milk. However, there are two different purification process that can be used to purify the MSM: crystallization and distillation. Just as diamonds have surface occlusions (tiny pockets) which trap impurities, crystallized MSM can also trap impurities that come from the water, DMSO and/or hydrogen peroxide used in the manufacturing process. In contrast, distillation perfectly separates pure MSM from all other chemical compounds based on its specific boiling point; contaminants with higher boiling points (such as heavy metals) and with lower boiling points (such as solvents and pesticides) are separated from MSM, leaving an ultra-pure powder. Because of the intensive energy use required for distillation, distilled MSM is more expensive to product than crystallized MSM. Distilled MSM is manufactured only in the United States, whereas crystallized MSM is primarily produced in China and India.
How Much MSM Should I Take?
Extremely safe, even at high dosages exceeding 10 grams per day, it is strongly recommended to slowly increase MSM dosage in accordance with the labeled directions; the easiest way to do this is to take half the recommended dose for four days, and then increase it to the full dose. The 2007 edition of the Physician's Desk Reference (Online version) says typical doses range from 1g - 3g per day. Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have used dosages between 3g and 6gm per day, with maximum benefit more closely associated with the higher dose. The product should be taken in the morning and at mid-day; some users report feeling “too energized” to quickly fall asleep if the product is taken at bedtime.