What
is MSM?
MSM, short for methylsulfonylmethane,
is an organic form of sulfur readily absorbed and utilized by our bodies.
MSM is composed of 34% bio-available sulfur, making it the richest source
of organic sulfur available. MSM is a safe, natural, assimilable food,
which assists the body in maintaining adequate sulfur stores. MSM may support
the body in regulating insulin production, improving skin smoothness and
elasticity, regulating environmental and allergic sensitivities, enhancing
bowel function and liver detoxification, and enhancing respiratory function.
Our bodies require
the element sulfur for many of its functions. Sulfur is a component of
the proteins necessary for the formation of skin, hair, nails and muscle.
Sulfur is also a component of bones, teeth and collagen (connective tissue).
Sulfur is integral in the formation of bile acids by the liver and insulin
by the pancreas. It is the fourth most plentiful mineral in the body and
it essential for life.
History
of MSM
Doctors Jacob and
Herschler at the Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland Oregon,
discovered MSM in the early 1980s.
MSM comes from the
evaporation of the waters of the Oceans, into the rain clouds, and then
is present in the rain itself. If you water your garden with rainwater,
then MSM will be present in the produce of your garden. If you water your
garden with water from only your faucet, then no MSM will be present in
your produce.
MSM should be present
in all the produce we consume, however it is easily destroyed by any heat,
or processing of foods or water treatment plants. Therefore finding MSM
in our readily available foods is getting harder to do. The half-life of
MSM is only 12 hours when consumed within the body. Therefore supplementation
with MSM should be repeated both morning and again in the evening.
I have seen many patients
benefit greatly from MSM supplementation! I have had patients take MSM
and tell me it did not cure the complaint they were hoping for, but when
asked how the rest of their body was doing, I would always find out that
some other, more important bodily need, was now for the better. MSM will
go to whatever part of the body that is in the greatest need! In patients
like the above example, I would have them increase their dose of MSM. I
have not seen any overdose of MSM with any of my patients. MSM is considered
very safe. Toxicity is extremely rare. No toxic effects were shown in humans
given up to one gram per kilogram of body weight (70 Grams or more) per
day for 30 days. MSM is generally non-allergenic.
If you are taking
MSM by bulk, here is the proper way to consume MSM, to avoid that
bitter taste. Take a large spoonful of the bulk MSM and place it on the
tip of your tongue. Now quickly consume a large amount liquid. Water can
be used and is how I consumed bulk MSM. However juices will mask any small
taste, especially Cranberry Juice. MSM, when place on the tip of your tongue
is tasteless. It is when it dissolves that the taste is so very bitter.
Consuming MSM in this manner will allow nearly all of the MSM to dissolve
in your stomach, far on the other side of your taste buds!
MSM taken in capsule
avoid the bitter taste, but capsules are much more expensive.
MSM
Applications:
Supported by Research
and multiple patents, MSM in sufficient levels as a Dietary Supplement,
can help and improve the following conditions: Allergic responses, Gastrointestinal
Disorders, Reduces effects of stress, Improves circulation and Enhances
cell vitality, Helps regulate insulin production, Improves skin smoothness
and elasticity, Reduces pain associated with systemic inflammatory disorders,
including arthritis, night leg cramps and migraines. MSM has also shown
beneficial in reducing sluggish memory, and symptoms of asthma and emphysema,
reducing post athletic activity fatigue and improved joint flexibility.
The addition of the
following synergistic ingredients greatly improves the effectiveness of
MSM in many of the above conditions: Vitamin C, Amylase, Cellulose, Lipase,
Sucrose, Maltase, Lactase, Bromelain and Amyloglucosidase.
The addition of Glucosamine
HCL greatly improves the effectiveness of MSM for Osteoarthritis.
MSM serves two important
processes within the body.
Some of the excess
MSM you consume will flush out of your body in about 12 hours, taking with
it many toxins. It is involved in the cellular makeup of the cells walls
of any of the new cells your body creates. Our bodies are constantly making
new cells to replace old cells. As new cells are created, the MSM is incorporated
into the poly peptide bonds that make up the cells walls. The result is
the creation of cell walls that are more permeable to nutrients. It is
like comparing backpack nylon material to cheesecloth. Cells walls without
MSM will be very impermeable to nutrients while cells walls with
adequate MSM will be very permeable to nutrients.
Skin:
The sulfur within
MSM is responsible for the flexibility and elasticity of skin. When sufficient
MSM is present, the skin is softer, smoother and more flexible. Tests conducted
among laboratory animals indicated that wound healing occurred faster with
a group receiving MSM plus vitamin C. Based on this information, MSM has
been used to enhance skin wellness, improve scar formation and to assist
in skin health in teens prone to acne.
Allergy:
There is considerable
anecdotal evidence that MSM promotes reduction in allergic symptoms in
individuals with environmental allergies and sensitivities. Dr. Jacobs,
who has utilized MSM in research at the Oregon Health Sciences University,
reports improved allergic responses with the use of MSM.
Liver
detoxification:
Sulfur is extremely
important component of Glutathione, the amino acid integral in phase 2
liver detoxification enzymes. Adequate levels of this sulfur-based amino
acid are necessary for the liver to perform its detoxification role. Supplementation
with MSM may promote improved liver detoxification.
Joints:
General improvement
in overall joint mobility is seen with the use of MSM. Reports have noted
improvement in pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and gout.
It is postulated that this is due to sulfur enhancement of the sodium potassium
pump, allowing improved fluid flow and removal of cell toxins with reduction
of pain and inflammation. One study at Oregon Health Sciences University
found that animals that were given MSM showed no degeneration of cartilage
associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Studies in human volunteers with
arthritis showed a 60 percent improvement in pain after taking 2.25 grams
per day of MSM for four weeks. After six weeks, the improvement rate rose
to 82 percent.
Lung:
MSM has been purported
to enhance lung function by regulating the fluid that covers the airway
surface of the lungs (surfactant) and decreasing inflammation. It has been
used to decrease airway reactivity in asthmatics. One study showed that
MSM increased lung capacity in a group of patients with emphysema.
Parasitic
infections and gastrointestinal health:
Animal studies suggest
that MSM may help lessen parasitic, microbial and fungal infections at
levels of 750 to 1500 mg. daily. MSM probably works by competing for receptor
sites on the mucous membrane surface thereby blocking parasite adherence.
Side
Effects:
MSM is considered
very safe. Toxicity is extremely rare. No toxic effects were shown in humans
given up to one gram per kilogram of body weight (70 Grams or more) per
day for 30 days. MSM is generally non allergenic.
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