Just wanted to let the forum know about my personal results using MSM.
A brief synopsis of MSM:
Methylsulfonylmethane is a dietary supplement form of sulfur that is found in our living tissues. MSM supports healthy connective tissues like tendons, ligaments, and muscle. Thus, it is important in conditions such as arthritis, muscle pains, bursitis, etc. MSM should be considered an integral part of any health care practice because of its physiological action, indirect importance, and current / future uses.
To understand MSM, some background information is necessary. MSM is a "naturally-occurring nutrient found in normal human diets" (1). It gets into the diet through the sulfur cycle. Ocean plankton release sulfur compounds which rise into the ozone where ultra-violet light makes MSM and DMSO. DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide, is a precursor to MSM. MSM and DMSO return to the surface of the earth in rain (1). Plants concentrate MSM and return it to the earth and the sea. Evaporation into the air results in their return to the earth (1).
MSM has a unique action on body tissues. It decreases the pressure inside the cell. In removing fluids and toxins, sulfur affects the cell membrane. MSM is an organic form of sulfur, whereas sulfites in foodstuffs are inorganic. Sue Williams states "sulfur is present in all cells" and is in the form of "organic compounds throughout the body’ (2). However, sulfur can be found in the body in sulfate forms. It forms sulfate compounds with sodium, potassium, magnesium, and selenium. MSM has a significance, because sulfur compounds are found everywhere throughout the body and in nature.
Sulfur has an indirect importance, because sulfur compounds play a role in many body organs and systems. Sulfur is in the hair, skin, and nails. Many amino acids, the building blocks of protein, have sulfur as a component. Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid formed from methionine (2). Taurine stabilizes cell membranes (2). Methionine contains sulfur, detoxifies cells, and is involved in pain relief (2). Carnitine comes from methionine and transports long chain fatty acids preventing accumulations of lipoproteins (2). Many B-complex vitamins interact with or contain sulfur. Sulfur is needed for insulin production....
Rest of article here:
Sulfur - MSM - methyl sulfonyl methane - Natural Health Site
I started using MSM (1000mg) because of joint pain in my knees, increasing to 2000mg and discovered it really helped with the pain.
Laney, my dog, is 15 years old and suffers from arthritis in all three of his legs. He was constantly anxious and I thought it was because of his fear of loud noises (we were prescribed herbal anxiety drops which really didn't help). A friend of mine recommended a small dosage (250mg) of MSM for Laney believing the anxiety was related to joint pain rather than the noise issue. It worked!
Laney hasn't had an episode since the administering of the MSM...for me it was clear the pain was the source of his anxiety.
I've also noticed that my eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair seemed to have grown faster.
Msm
