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What is MSM?

Methyl-sulphonyl-methane (MSM) is a naturally occurring sulphur compound found in our bodies as well as in many common beverages and foods, including milk, coffee, tea and green vegetables. Sulphur as MSM is an element found in all living organisms and the fourth largest mineral found in the human body.

In its purified chemical form, it is an odourless, essentially tasteless, white, water-soluble crystalline solid. It is one of the safest substances in biology, similar in toxicity to water.

Unfortunately, much of the natural MSM content in foods is removed during processing and cooking, so it is important to eat a diet rich in raw and unprocessed vegetables to consume the amounts required for optimal health.

Where does MSM come from?
The cycle of MSM begins in the ocean where microscopic plants called plankton release sulphur compounds. These salts are transformed in the ocean water into the very volatile compound dimethyl sulphide (DMS) which escapes from the ocean as a gas. DMS rises into the upper atmosphere, and in the presence of ozone and high-energy ultraviolet light, is converted into MSM. MSM is very soluble in water, and returns to earth in the form of rain. On earth, plants take MSM into their root systems and concentrate it. MSM and the sulphur it contains is then incorporated into the plants' structure.

Why do we need MSM?
MSM and its related compounds are the source of 85 percent of the sulphur found in all living organisms. Many researchers believe that sulphur is a sorely neglected nutrient that plays an indispensable role in human nutrition.

Where is MSM found in the Human Body?

MSM occurs in the blood and in other organs and has been detected in normal human urine. Approximately half of the total body sulphur is concentrated in the muscles, bones and skin. 

The level of MSM in the circulatory system of an adult human male is about 0.2 parts per million. Normal human adults excrete from four to eleven milligrams MSM per day in their urine. Experiments using radiolabeled sulphur (S35) in MSM have shown that the sulphur in MSM helps form the essential amino acids methionine and cysteine.

What roles does MSM play in normal functioning of the body?

Joints & Connective Tissues

MSM is essential for the production of collagen, a vital component of skin and a primary constituent of cartilage and connective tissue.  

Arthritic cartilage has been found to have a lower level of sulphur than normal healthy cartilage, implying that adequate nutritional sulphur intake may have a vital role in maintaining the heath and integrity of cartilage, and therefore joints. For centuries, mankind has soaked in sulphur-rich mineral hot springs to help with joint discomfort.

Whilst it is known that sulphur is also important in inflammation and immune response mechanisms in the body, much is still unknown about precisely how sulphur exerts these observed effects.    A small pilot study has shown that supplementation with MSM over a period of 8 weeks helped to speed recovery time from injury and inflammation, and this effect may be associated with the role that MSM plays in the production of immunoglobulins, an important part of the immune system and normal inflammatory responses.

A further pilot study involving athletes with acute sports related injuries to joints, ligaments or tendons also showed that recovery time was reduced in the group taking an MSM supplement.   The group supplementing with MSM required only 3.25 visits to the sports injury clinic compared with 5.25 visits in the placebo controlled group.

Protein structure & metabolism

Some of MSM's known essential functions in the body include maintaining the structure of the proteins in the body and aiding in the formation of the essential amino acids such as methionine, cysteine, and taurine as well as being a key component of insulin, an important component in the conversion of food into energy.

Sulphur bearing amino acids like methionine are crucial to many biochemical functions including altering the structure and function of hormones and other amino acids. Cysteine , derived from sulphur bearing methionine is key to the formation of glutathione which is an important anti-oxidant and detoxifying agent.

In its oxidized form, sulphur is used by the liver to detoxify substances, is utilised in bile secretion, and helps to prepare waste substances for excretion by the kidneys.

Skin, Hair & Nails

MSM is key to the formation of the protein keratin.   Keratin plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin and wound healing and hair production.   One small study of 21 participants showed a marked improvement in hair length, lustre and condition compared with the placebo group, and a second study of 11 participants to evaluate the effect on nail health showed an 80% improvement in nail length, strength and condition compared with no significant difference in the placebo group.