Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a popular dietary supplement promoted for a variety of conditions including joint pain, inflammation, allergies, arthritis, and the maintenance of normal keratin levels in hair, skin and nails. Despite its popularity, there is little published human data on MSM except that it may be helpful in seasonal allergic rhinitis and that it is able to cross the blood brain barrier. Studies in rats show MSM to have very low toxicity.

Natural supplements for joint health include:
Boswellia serrata extract
Chondroitin sulfate
Glucosamine sulfate
Lipoic acid supplement
MSM pill
Omega 3 fatty acids, DHA or fish oils
Stinging nettle extract
Turmeric root extract, curcumin extract

Glucosamine and MSM for joint health
We all know the benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health and arthritis. Now it seems there's another nutrient that could be helpful in combination with glucosamine. This nutrient is known as MSM -- which stands for Methylsulfonylmethane. In the June 2004 issue of the journal Clinical Drug Investigations, scientists report that although the individual agents did improve pain and swelling in arthritic joints, the combined therapy was more effective than the single nutrients in reducing symptoms and improving the function of joints. In a clinical trial conducted at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad, India, 118 patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis were treated three times daily with either 500 milligrams of glucosamine, 500 milligrams of methylsulfonylmethane, a combination of both, or an inactive placebo. After 12 weeks of treatment, the average pain score had fallen from 1.74 to 0.65 in the glucosamine-only group. In MSM-only participants, it fell from 1.53 to 0.74. However, in the combination group, it fell from 1.7 to 0.36.
    Comments: It would seem reasonable for those with arthritis to take this combination. The dose of glucosamine has been established to be 500 mg 3 times a day. We still don't know enough about MSM to determine whether lesser amounts than 500 mg three times a day would still be effective.

MSM Research Update
A multicentered, open-label trial on the safety and efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane msm in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Apr;8(2):167-73. Barrager E, Veltmann JR Jr, Schauss AG, Schiller RN. GENESIS Center for Integrative Medicine, Graham, WA, USA.
Numerous clinical observations and case studies have led researchers to hypothesize that MSM may help ameliorate the symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of MSM in the reduction of SAR-associated symptoms. This study also examined possible adverse reactions associated with MSM supplementation. Finally, this study attempted to elucidate the method of action by which MSM elicits its effect on allergy symptoms. The results of this study suggest that MSM supplementation of 2,600 mg/day for 30 days may be efficacious in the reduction of symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Furthermore, few side effects are associated with the use of this compound. Recent acute and subacute chronic toxicologic data on the same source of MSM as used in this study, further validate the safety of this product.

Toxicity of methylsulfonylmethane MSM  in rats.
Food Chem Toxicol. 2002 Oct;40(10):1459-62.Horvath K, Noker PE, Somfai-Relle S, Glavits R, Financsek I, Schauss AG.
Pharmaceutical Control and Development Laboratory Ltd, Budapest, Hungary.
MSM is a popular dietary supplement used in a variety of conditions including pain, inflammation, allergies, arthritis, parasitic infections and the maintenance of normal keratin levels in hair, skin and nails. Despite its popularity, there is little published toxicology data on MSM. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute and subchronic toxicity of MSM in rats at a dose five to seven times the maximum recommended dose in humans. MSM administered in a single gavage dose of 2 g/kg resulted in no adverse events or mortality. MSM administered as a daily dose of 1.5 g/kg for 90 days by gavage resulted in no adverse events or mortality. Necropsy did not reveal any gross pathological lesions or changes in organ weights. Renal histology of treated animals was normal. It is concluded that MSM is well tolerated in rats at an acute dose of 2 g/kg and at a subacute chronic dose of 1.5 g/kg.

Accumulation of methylsulfonylmethane in the human brain: identification by multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Toxicol Lett 2001 Sep 15;123(2-3):169-77. Lin A, Nguy CH, Shic F, Ross BD. MR Spectroscopy Unit, Huntington Medical Research Institutes, Pasadena, CA  USA.
MSM is a widely available 'alternative' medicine. In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to detect and quantify MSM in the brains of four patients with memory loss and in three normal volunteers all of who had ingested MSM at the recommended doses of 1-3 g daily. MSM was detected in all subjects at concentrations of 0.42-3.40 mmole/kg brain and was equally distributed between gray and white matter. No adverse clinical or neurochemical effects were observed. Appearance of MSM in significant concentrations in the human brain indicates ready transfer across the intact blood-brain barrier.

MSM questions and emails
I had an immediate increase in energy upon taking MSM. It also has dramatically reduced my IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), and for the first time in two decades I am having solid bowel movements. I was taking 40 mg of Adderall and now I either take 10 mg or I can skip it. This has been consistent for three months. The increase in energy has been extreme to the point where I was having trouble sleeping. I was taking 15 grams per day; I had to back down to 10 grams. My knee which was torn up from wrestling is pain free for the first time in years. MSM truly is my miracle supplement. I am baffled as to what is going on, but I do know that I have experienced chronic illness for 20 years and only now am I starting to feel okay!!!!! 

Q. I was wondering your opinion on MSM tablets. Do you think it is a good thing to include on a daily regimen?
   A. We currently don't know the long term effects of taking a MSM tablet.

Q. A year ago I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and spent 8 months in the most excrutiating pain I have ever experienced in my life. Rheumatoid doctor put me on Celebrex and then prednisone . It did nothing to get major flare-ups under control . On the average I was having a major flare-up 4-5 times a week with significant pain in between . I took glucosamine, chondroitin and msm for 6 weeks and the pain miraculously went away and it's like I never had RA .It's been 3 months now and I feel great. Every thing I have read claims this supplement does nothing for RA. What do you make of this ? I am a 48 year old male that has been healthy and very active all my life.
   A. Congratulations! However, it's difficult for any scientist to get excited about one case report.

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