Description

Methyl-sulphonyl-methane (MSM) is a stable, rich and natural source of organic sulphur.

Discovered in the 1970s in the United States, MSM was initially widely used in veterinary medicine to combat inflammatory disorders of the muscles and joints, particularly in racehorses and pedigree dogs. Today, it is mainly used in food supplements to relieve pain associated with osteoarthritis.

It comes from the oxidation of a by-product of wood pulp (pine lignin, for example). Although it is derived from a natural raw material, it is manufactured using a chemical process carried out in a laboratory.

Action

Sulphur is present in high concentrations in the collagen of the skin, joints and blood vessels. In the joints, it is involved in the production of chondroitin sulphate, glucosamine sulphate and hyaluronic acid, which give cartilage its elasticity. It plays a critical role in the stability and integrity of connective tissue and proteins.
Thanks to the sulphur it contains, MSM helps to maintain connective tissue (tendons, deep dermis, collagen, cartilage, etc.) in good condition. Sulphur is crucial to the action of glutathione, a very powerful free radical neutraliser, necessary for the formation and restoration of the cartilage cell matrix.

It acts as a catalyst in the process of converting food into energy and helps to eliminate toxins from the body.

Natural painkiller and anti-inflammatory: inflammation increases pressure on nerves and tissues, which is what causes pain.

By detoxifying the liver, it helps to increase our own production of Glutathione in this organ, one of our body’s most important antioxidants.

This substance is thought to stop the pain ducts running along the nerve fibres. It could therefore prevent the formation of pain memory.

MSM promotes blood circulation: when tissues are better irrigated, the supply of nutrients is improved, so tissues can regenerate and pain disappears.

It relaxes the muscles, and it’s often tight muscles that cause pain.

It increases the permeability of the cell membranes of damaged tissues so that the body’s own painkillers can come into action.

Scientific evidence

Two clinical trials of good methodological quality involving several hundred people suffering from osteoarthritis seem to justify its use in this context.

A double-blind study showed an 82% reduction in pain in osteoarthritis patients after six weeks’ supplementation with 2.25g of MSM daily.
A high-quality clinical trial also showed that the combination of MSM and glucosamine (joint formula) effectively relieves osteoarthritis pain. The combination of the two molecules appears to be synergistic and gives better results than each compound taken separately.

Advice on use and precautions

Studies have shown that MSM levels in the body fall sharply with age, so supplementation makes sense in cases of osteoarthritis.
Non-toxic and without drug incompatibility, MSM should be taken regularly every day for a prolonged period. The first beneficial results appear after around three weeks. Undesirable effects are rare. The most frequently reported are nausea, diarrhoea and headaches.

Recommended dosage

Take 1.5 g a day in two or three doses. Increase the dose to 6 g a day if necessary. It is sometimes combined in food supplements with chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine sulphate (Joint Formula by Lifeplus).

Applications

• Osteoarthritis: The results of two clinical studies indicate that MSM can relieve the pain of osteoarthritis. In one study, 50 subjects suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee experienced an improvement in their joint pain and range of movement3 after receiving 6g of MSM per day (the dose recommended by practitioners) for 12 weeks. Similar results were obtained in a previous study, using MSM, glucosamine or a combination of the two, at doses of 1.5 g per day.
• Hay fever (and other allergies): In a preliminary study, 50 hay fever sufferers took 2.6g of MSM a day for 30 days and saw a reduction in their symptoms. For your information, this dosage corresponds to 2 tablets in the morning and 2 in the evening from Lifeplus.
  MSM blocks the receptors in the mucous membranes so that allergens no longer bind to them. This combined action with Proanthenols 100, which prevents the synthesis of certain substances that trigger allergic and inflammatory reactions, results in an extraordinary effect without a single side effect.
• Rosacea: Italian researchers at the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute in Rome have shown that topical application of a cream based on MSM and silymarin, a substance produced by milk thistle, can reduce the symptoms of rosacea.

Various

The claims made by MSM supplement manufacturers about the product’s other virtues are based on unpublished preliminary trials. These results open up certain avenues, but in no way constitute proof of efficacy. These studies have focused on pain relief due to inflammation and osteoarthritis, and faster healing of sports injuries:

• Detoxify: all the chemical substances and heavy metals present in our bodies.
• Digestive system dysfunction. Irritation of the mucous membrane, chronic constipation, urinary tract disease, auto-immune diseases.
• Fibromyalgia,
• Carpal tunnel syndrome,
• Back pain,
• Tendonitis,
• Bursitis,
• Muscle contractions, muscle strains, strained ligaments, sprains.
• Beautification of hair, skin and nails.
• Headaches
• Snoring: dilute 4 MSM in warm water and mix, gargle for 3 minutes. Repeat every night before going to bed.

Published by Joël (info@carolejoel.com)

Version française🇫🇷

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