MSM Frequently Asked Questions.
1. What is MSM?
2. What does MSM do?
3. How should I take MSM?
4. What are the possible side effects of MSM?
5. How safe is MSM?
6. How long should I take MSM?
7. How long will it take for me to feel the effects of MSM?
8. Is it safe to take with my other medications?
9. Should I take anything with MSM?
10. I'm allergic to sulfa drugs. Will I have a bad reaction to MSM?
11. I'm pregnant. Is MSM safe for me to take?
12. Can I give this stuff to my kids?
13. Debunking a few rumors.
14. What conditions does MSM help with?
1. What is MSM?
MSM is short for methylsulphonylmethane. It is a safe nutritional suppliment
that can be used to help control pain, inflammation, and allergies, among many
other things. It's toxicity level is close to that of tapwater. MSM has been
used by veterinarians since the early 1980s and by humans since 1979.
MSM is a metabolite (product of) DMSO, which is approved by the FDA for
treatment of interstitial cystitis. DMSO gives the unpleasant side effect of a
fish or oyster-like smell and taste in the person using it. MSM does not have
this side effect.
It is a sulfer molecule found in animal tissue, food, and the human body.
Studies have shown that some of the MSM contained in your body is used for
the production of methionine and cysteine, two amino acids.
2. What does MSM do?
MSM has been shown to help with several chronic conditions and has the
following effects on the human body:
A. Analgesic. MSM has this effect in approxiamately 70% of the people
taking it. Studies were done with DMSO regarding pain transmission along
the C fiber network, which is the non-myelinated nerve fibers responsible for
transmitting non-emergency pain. MSM is believed to have the same effect.
No studies have been done with regard to the alpha-delta fibers, which is the
system responsible for acute and protective pain.
B. Anti-inflammatory. DMSO has been shown in studies to make the body's
natural anti-inflammatory, cortisol, more effective in smaller amounts. MSM is
believed to have the same effect. DMSO has also been shown to inhibit the
excess production of fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are the primary cells that form
connective tissues and are produced in excess in the swelling process. Excess
fibroblasts lead to the formation of scar tissue. DMSO binds to fluids in
swollen tissue and escorts it out of the body.
C. Passes through cellular membranes. It can be used as a transport for other
medications.
D. Inhibits cholinesterase. Cholinesterase is an enzyme that stops excessive
passage of nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another. It is also the
enzyme mostly responsible for constipation.
E. Reduces muscle spasms.
F. Reduces scar tissue. By altering the crosslinking process in collagen, it
helps to reduce the amount of scarring due to injury and sometimes helps to
reduce old scarring.
G. Has antiparasitic qualities. Primarily for giardia, which causes diarrhea.
H. Has an immune normalizing effect. Helpful for such conditions as lupus,
rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma.
I. Increases blood flow.
J. Potentially makes cell walls more permeable.
K. Increases nail and hair thickness and strength. Softens skin. Cosmetic
benefits, yes. This happens due to an increase of cystine. Cystine is one of
the amino acids that gives keratin its toughness. Keratin is one of the
proteins found in these tissues.
L. Increased energy. A word of caution with regards to this. If you have not
been active for a while, slowly return to your previous level of activity. If
activity is increased too soon, you can set yourself back. Work yourself up
slowly to avoid a backslide.
M. Decreased muscle soreness.
Lab studies done on rodents has shown that MSM helps to delay the onset
of cancer, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
3. How should I take MSM?
It is available in capsule, powder, and topical form. MSM can be mixed into
any beverage and absorbs better in higher temperatures. The smallest dose
that gives you the most benefit is optimal. More isn't better, just more.
It's best to find the individual dose that works for you. 2000mg (2g) tends to
work for general maintainance and health. More is required depending on the
individual and their condition. Too much can lead to gastrointestinal
problems, headache, or rash.
The more your body needs, the more you will be able to tolerate. An increased
dosage may be needed during times of extra stress, flares, and whatnot. Under
a doctor's supervision, some people have taken 100g/day (100,000mg) and not
suffered any adverse side effects.
Some people have found relief from sore throats by using MSM as a
mouthwash. Sinisitus sufferers have found relief by using a 15% solution of
MSM and water as a nasal spray. It can also been mixed into a powder and
applied to gums as a treatment for gingivitis.
Some have found it helps with GERD and have been able to reduce the
amount of medication taken for that. Start with alternating days of MSM and
the medication and eventually, you may not need the medication anymore. A
controlled diet is still necessary, however.
Most allergy symptoms are due to inflammation and immune weakness. It acts
by inhibiting the reception of histamine, which keeps the inflammation and
fluid build-up to a minimum.
4. What are the possible side effects of MSM?
The most common side effect is gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea), rash,
and headache. Taking MSM with food tends to decrease the GI upset. If
you take too much, expect to spend some extra time in the bathroom. Minor
cramping is also possible.
MSM can cause a thinning of the blood, so if you're taking blood thinners,
make sure to check with your doctor before beginning this. It is usually
safe to take, but you may require a lowering of the dosage of your other
medication due to this effect.
5. How safe is MSM?
It has been shown to have 1/7 the toxicity of table salt. i.e. It's 7 times
safer than table salt. In a study done on humans, MSM was shown to have no
negative side effects at 1 g/kg body weight. That means around 68 g/day
for a 150-pound person. In tests on animals, the LD-50 test findings were
for more than 20 g/kg body weight.
6. How long should I take MSM?
Long term studies have shown no negative drawbacks to MSM. People who
take it regularly tend to have fewer colds and viral infections, but there have
been no studies done on this effect. MSM is not a cure, but some people do
find that the effects continue even after they stop taking it.
7. How long will it take for me to feel the effects of MSM?
That depends on a few factors. The longer you've had the condition, the
longer it tends to take to feel the full effects of MSM. In some chronic
conditions, it could take up to a year to feel the effects. Some people feel
the effects within days.
8. Is it safe to take with my other medications?
After 20 years, it has not been shown to interfere with any prescription
medications. Sometimes the effects of MSM can lead to a decreased need
for prescription medications, but, as always, consult with your doctor before
decreasing or discontinuing your medication.
DMSO has been shown to conteract platlet aggregation (clotting), but no
studies have been done on this with MSM. Observation, however, points
towards MSM having the same effect.
9. Should I take anything with MSM?
Many people are finding that taking at least one part Vitamin C to four parts
MSM helps its effectiveness. Vitamin C by itself has been shown to reduce
pain. However, there have been no studies done that support this.
10. I'm allergic to sulfa drugs. Will I have a bad reaction to MSM?
No. Sulfa drugs are sulfites. MSM is a sulfur compound, but is not a sulfite.
11. I'm pregnant. Is MSM safe for me to take?
Check with your doctor. Clinical experience has shown no problems with
this though.
12. Can I give this stuff to my kids?
Children don't tend to need it, but it has been taken by children as young
as two with no bad effects.
13. Debunking a few rumors.
DMSO has been shown to be an antioxidant. There have been no studies
on MSM to this effect.
DMSO has the effect of binding with some toxic metals and removing them
from the body. Sufficient studies have not been done with regards to this
with MSM.
DMSO does make cell walls more permeable. MSM is believed to, but has
not been studied to this effect. MSM does pass through some cell walls,
but there is no evidence that it allows other substances to pass through
more easily.
There are reports of MSM helping with Candida. However, no studies have
been done on this.
Clinical evidence shows that MSM does help to speed the healing of
musculoskeletal injuries and inflammation.
In studies on mice, MSM has been shown to delay the onset of certain kinds
of cancer. DMSO has been shown to alter cancerous cells in such a way to
make them more susceptable to treatments. More research is needed to see
if this effect is the same with MSM.
MSM does help people breathe more easily. That does not mean it cures
emphysema. It has been shown to help, though.
14. What conditions does MSM help with?
I was debating on whether or not to add this section, since it makes MSM
sound like snake oil. Most of the effects are felt because of the analgesic
and anti-inflammatory effects.
Crohn's disease
Ulcerative colitis
Osteoarthritis (glucosamine sulfate has also been shown to help with this,
but little effect was seen with chondriton sulfate.)
Heberden's nodes
Back pain
Herniated discs
Heartburn and hyperacidity
Headaches, including some migraines, mostly due to the anti-spasmodic
effect and increased blood flow.
Chemical sensitivities
Fibromyalgia
Allergies
Athletic injuries
Muscle pain
Tendonitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
Asthma
Sinusitis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus
Interstitial cystitis
Scleroderma
Keloid reduction
FAQ compiled by ereshkigal@rcn.com based primarily information contained in
_The Miracle of MSM: The Natural Solution for Pain_ by Stanley W. Jacobs,
MD, Ronald M. Lawrence, MD, Ph.D, and Martin Zucker.
The text-only version of this FAQ can be found online at http://users.rcn.com/ereshkigal/msm.txt.