| Supplement
Facts |
GM |
%DV |
| |
|
|
| Serving
Size: 2 capsules |
|
|
| Amount
Per Serving: 2000 mg. |
|
|
| Servings
per Container: 60 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| MSM (Methylsulphonylmethane)
|
2000
mg. |
*
|
Usage
and Toxicity
Due to its
positive effects maintaining healthy cell formation, 2000 mg to
6000 mg of supplemental MSM daily is recommended. Of course, the
optimum daily dosage of MSM depends largely on body size, age
and the nature and severity of any deficiency symptoms you may
be experiencing. Since vitamin C provides a positive synergistic
it should be taken along with MSM.
MSM ranks
in the "extremely low" toxicity category with a toxicity
profile similar to that of water. When oral supplements are taken,
the body will distribute MSM where it is needed. After about 12
hours, any excess amounts will be flushed out of the body. MSM
is a member of the sulfur family, should never be confused with
sulfa drugs to which some people are allergic.
MSM should
be supplemented with vitamin C to aid the production of connective
tissue (elastin and collagen).
10.01.04
-- MSM: Helping Alleviate Allergy Symptoms
By Greg Arnold,
July 14, 2004, Abstracted from “A multicentered, open-label
trial on the safety and efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane in the
treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis” in the Journal
of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2002; 8(2): 167-73
Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), a common clinical expression
of an atopic reaction (genetic predisposition) to inhaled allergens,
affects more than 23 million Americans annually. These allergic
reactions can range from mild daily symptoms to debilitating headaches,
severe nasal congestion that may lead to sinus infection and difficulties
breathing.
Current prescription and over-the-counter medications act mainly
by inhibiting histamine, the primary inflammatory mediator in
allergic reactions. Unfortunately, patients taking these medications
experience symptoms that include sedation, dizziness, rings in
the ears, fatigue, insomnia, tremors, nausea, constipation, and
diarrhea.1 The cornucopia of side effects has spawned a search
for alternative therapies that will give similar results without
the side effects. One such supplement showing promise is methylsulfonylmethane
(MSM).
Researchers had 50 subjects consume 2600 mg of MSM orally per
day for 30 days. The subjects were evaluated using a Seasonal
Allergy Symptom Questionnaire (SASQ) at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days.
Researchers also measured C-reactive protein and immunoglobulin
at the beginning and end of the study.
Results were observed as early as day 7, where upper and total
respiratory symptoms were reduced significantly when compared
with the beginning of the study. By week 2, energy levels had
“increased significantly.” By week 3, lower respiratory
symptoms were significantly improved. Even more encouraging was
that all improvements observed in the subjects were maintained.
Not only did the researchers recommend MSM for allergies (2600
mg/day for 30 days), they observed that “few side effects
are associated with the use of this compound.”
Reference:
1 Hardman JG. Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological
Basis of Therapeutics. 9th ed. New York, McGraw-Hill, 1996
02.02.06--MSM Alleviates Arthritis Pain
Healthnotes
Newswire (February 2, 2006)—Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM),
a naturally occurring sulfur-containing compound, may help decrease
joint pain and improve physical functioning in people with osteoarthritis
(OA) of the knee, reports Osteoarthritis and Cartilage (2005 Nov
22 [E-pub ahead of print]).
By Kimberly Beauchamp, ND
OA is a chronic, degenerative disease of the cartilage that lines
and cushions the joints. It is more common in people over age
45. Although any joint may be affected, OA most frequently develops
in the hips, knees, spine, and feet. When OA affects the knee
joint, the progressive loss of cartilage can be seen on an x-ray
as a narrowed space between the bones that surround the joint.
Bits of damaged cartilage may also break off and enter the joint
space, limiting motion and causing considerable pain. Risk factors
for OA development include having a family history of the disease,
being overweight, and overusing or having a previous injury of
a joint.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
(NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) may be used to decrease the
pain associated with OA. Sometimes corticosteroid injections are
given directly into the joint to decrease swelling. Unfortunately,
these treatments do not slow the disease progression. In addition,
corticosteroid injections may cause more thinning of the cartilage
and damage the tendons surrounding the joint, and long-term use
of NSAIDs increases the chance of developing gastric ulcers. For
these reasons, safer alternatives to these medications are being
sought.
MSM is a popular remedy for OA pain that is often found in supplements
also containing glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. A
recent study found that glucosamine and chondroitin alleviate
OA pain at least as well as the prescription medication Celebrex.
Previous trials suggest that MSM may decrease inflammation and
help repair connective tissue (such as cartilage), but there is
little research on its usefulness for treating OA.
In the new study, 40 men and women between ages 40 and 76 with
OA of the knee were given either 6 grams of MSM per day for 12
weeks or a placebo. The people rated their level of pain, stiffness,
physical functioning (ability to get around and perform daily
activities), and overall symptoms before the study and after 2,
4, 8, and 12 weeks. The people and their physicians also gave
their overall impression of the state of their arthritis before
and after the study and also rated their response to treatment.
Blood and urine tests were performed to assess the safety of MSM
and to investigate the possible ways it works in the body.
The level of pain decreased significantly and physical functioning
improved after 12 weeks in the MSM group compared with the placebo
group. Changes in stiffness and overall symptoms were similar
in the two groups, and there were no differences between the groups
in overall response to treatment.
MSM did not appear to raise blood pressure, nor did it adversely
affect cholesterol levels, blood clotting, or measures of kidney,
nervous-system, liver, or blood-cell health. Side effects were
generally mild and were similar between the two groups.
The results of this investigation suggest that MSM may be a useful
adjunct in the treatment of OA.
Kimberly Beauchamp, ND, earned her bachelor’s degree from
the University of Rhode Island and her Doctorate of Naturopathic
Medicine from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. She cofounded
South County Naturopaths in Wakefield, RI. Dr. Beauchamp practices
as a birth doula and lectures on topics including whole-foods
nutrition, detoxification, and women’s health.
02.24.06 -- MSM Found to Provide Short-Term Relief for
Arthritic Knee Pain
By Greg Arnold,
DC, CSCS, February 15, 2006, abstracted from “Efficacy of
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee:
a pilot clinical trial” published online in Osteoarthritis
and Cartilage
As the leading cause of disability in the U.S., Osteoarthritis
(OA) limits the everyday activities of more than 7 million Americans1
and can be associated with significant restrictions on quality
of life.2 As a result, a number of options are available for patients
to help control their arthritis pain, including conservative measures
like over-the-counter medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen(3,4)
and more drastic measures like surgery.5 Even the use of complementary
and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased over the years to
help treat OA.6
When it comes to nutritional supplementation in the treatment
of OA, three such supplements receiving attention are glucosamine,
chondroitin, and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). Glucosamine and
chondroitin sulfate can help both prevent and treat OA7 by reducing
inflammation, stimulating the synthesis of proteoglycans and hyaluronic
acid and reducing the synthesis of nitric oxide and cell death
of cartilage cells.(8,9,10)
MSM has undergone numerous trials in the treatment of OA(11,12,13)
and as a result, has become an extremely popular supplement for
arthritic and rheumatic pain. In 2003 alone, the retail sales
of MSM as a single ingredient were $115 million.14 Now a new study15
has found that MSM can help provide short-term pain relief for
OA in the knee.
In the study, 50 men and women aged 40–76 years with knee
OA pain took either MSM 3 g or placebo twice a day for 12 weeks
(6 g per day total). To measure outcomes, researchers used the
Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index visual
analogue scale (WOMAC), patient and physician global assessments
(disease status, response to therapy), and SF-36 (overall health-related
quality of life).
They found that compared to placebo, MSM produced “significant
decreases” in WOMAC pain and physical function impairment
with no notable changes in WOMAC stiffness and total symptoms
scores. MSM also produced “improvement” in performing
activities of daily living when compared to placebo on the SF-36
evaluation.
While concluding that “MSM (3 g twice a day) improved symptoms
of pain and physical function during the short intervention without
major adverse events,” they admit that long-term effects
on pain relief “could not be confirmed” but should
be investigated.
MSM Provides Arthritis Relief
Source: Healthwatch
02-01-1999
Good news
for people who suffer from muscle and joint pain, interstitial
cystitis, scleroderma, or allergies: Methylsulfonyl-methane, or
MSM, is a nutrient effective in alleviating the numerous debilitating
symptoms caused by each of these ailments. MSM is an extraordinary
new dietary supplement that is amazing users and researches alike
because of its remarkable benefits. Completely natural, MSM has
vitamin-like effects that promote normal growth and repair damaged
mechanisms in the body.
MSM is extremely important to human beings because it provides
a unique dietary source of sulfur that we must have in order to
function. MSM is a special biological sulfur, 34% sulfur by weight,
found in all plants, soils, fruits, vegetables, and meats. According
to Dr. Stanley W. Jacobs, M.D., from the Oregon Health Sciences
University in Portland, "MSM provides a good portion of the
body's need for sulfur. Sulfur is an important building block."
In fact, Dr. Jacob's comment might be an understatement. Sulfur,
one of the most abundant minerals in the body, is a component
of amino acids, vitamins, hormones, coenzymes, and antioxidants.
Because sulfur is necessary to build "disulfide bonds",
it forms part of the body's physical structure, including protein,
collagen, glucosamine, skin, and nails.
One of the strongest effects of MSM is its ability to relieve
muscle pain through the reduction of inflammation. People who
suffer from sore joints or arthritis benefit greatly from MSM
because many of the components of joints are made from collagen
and glucosamine, which are both sulfur-dependent. People with
arthritis report substantial and long-lasting relief while supplementing
MSM in their diet in daily amounts ranging from 100 to 5,000 mg
The beneficial effect is due in part to the ability of MSM to
sustain cell flow-through, allowing harmful substances to flow
out while permitting nutrients to flow in, and thereby preventing
pressure buildup in cells that causes inflammation in the joints
and elsewhere, and translates to pain. MSM, by equalizing cell
pressure, treats the cause of inflammation, unlike an aspirin
that would treat the symptom by shutting off the nerve.
The sulfuric content of MSM is also effective in combating various
other health problems. The anti-inflammation effect of the nutrient
relieves the painful bladder irritation of interstitial cystitis.
MSM often works in easing the symptoms of scleroderma and allergies
as well. MSM is an effective tool for preventing the everyday
aches and pains common in people who suffer from arthritis and
from symptoms that can become debilitating if left untreated.
Jacobs calls it "... an important nutritional supplement.
MSM is safe and useful." More ailments eased by MSM include
gastro-intestinal problems, acid stomach, and lung problems.
Because it
is needed to form crucial blood proteins and amino acids, the
sulfur in MSM is essential to everyday living. Without proper
levels of MSM, our bodies are unable to build good, healthy cells,
making them prone to illness. When there is sufficient MSM in
your system, your cells become more permeable, enabling your body
to quickly flush out any undesirable foreign particles. If your
body is sulfur deficient, the cell walls become hard and stiff,
hindering the flow of fluid through the cell walls.
Here
are some of the symptoms of MSM deficiency
1. Arthritis
Conditions
2. Damage of the skin
3. Wrinkles
4. Scar tissue
5. Diabetes
6. Ulcers
7. Sore muscles
8. Migraines
9. Candida Infections 9 (albacans)
10. Fatigue-“Chronic”
11. High Cholesterol
12. Allergies
13. Acidity
14. Joint, back, dental pain
15. Systemic inflammation
16. Dermatitis
