Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a compound that is produced from sulfur which has been processed via a chemical process. Common Name(s): DMSO, methylsulfonylmethane. Where it is found: DMSO is obtained from different natural sources like industrial waste, petroleum and other such sources.
When it is used in the manufacturing industry, it is known as a ‘disinfectant’ because it helps to eliminate bacteria and viruses. It can be used as a skin and nail colouring agent.
Benefits and use of Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
- Methylsulfonylmethane is used in many pharmaceutical and medical products. A large amount of Methylsulfonylmethane is produced during the hydrolysis of natural gas and also at the distillation of agricultural products.
- Methylsulfonylmethane is widely used as an anticancer agent by researchers all over the world. Other benefits of Methylsulfonylmethane are:
- Treatment of chronic pain: It has been used in the treatment of chronic pain in patients with terminal illness or arthritis and is administered as a drug called Boswellic Acid. Patients taking the placebo had significant pain reduction during the treatment period. However, the effectiveness of the treatment was not significantly different from those who took the real supplement.
- No one can claim that the treatment was effective even after a considerable period of time. A double-blind clinical trial, which is double-blind in which neither the patients nor the research personnel know who is receiving and treating the placebo also showed no significant difference in pain reduction between the real treatment and placebo.
- Erythema and dermatitis: It has also been used as a topical therapy in the treatment of psoriasis and eczema and has been proved to be effective for reducing skin inflammation. It is also use for pets so What is MSM for dogs?
- When given on a long term basis, methylsulfonylmethane shows a pro-inflammatory effect which reduces the lesions and redness of eczematous lesions, and speeds up the healing process. It has also shown good results in reducing itching and redness of irritated lesions in wounds.
- Joint inflammation: The effect of Methylsulfonylmethane on the immune system was studied in mice and rats and the results showed that it had a positive effect in the modulation of the immune response.
- Methylsulfonylmethane has a profound effect in the function of the immune system and stimulates the production of protective substances including interferon, hyaluronidase and factor I. This produces a chain reaction that starts the decline in the number of neutrophils, T cells and macrophages leading to an increase in the number of neutrophil-free pathogens.
- It also produces a chemo-protective protein that decreases the risk of infection by monoclonal antigens and enhances the immune response against cancer. Oral administration of methylsulfonylmethane has been reported to have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect and a significant effect in reducing pain in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- Muscle pain: It was also found that methylsulfonylmethane reduces pain and swelling in the muscles of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. A placebo-controlled study showed that methylsulfonylmethane reduced pain and prevented muscle fatigue during a 30-minute walk in healthy volunteers.
- A recent study by the University of Alberta reported that methylsulfonylmethane increases oxygenation in damaged muscle tissue. This effect is similar to exercise and can help to repair injured muscles and reduce soreness while working out.
Side Effects of MSM Methylsulfonylmethane
- Depression: One of the most common side effects of chronic use of Methylsulfonylmethane is depression. Because the body produces less than normal levels of serotonin, a monoamine neurotransmitter, researchers believe that the deficiency of this neurotransmitter may play a role in the symptoms of depression.
- Clinical trials are currently underway to test the antidepressant effect of methylsulfonylmethane. If successful, it could be used to treat major depressive disorders like dysthymia and bipolar disorder.
- Circulatory problems: When taking methylsulfonylmethane it is believed to improve circulation and decrease inflammation in the body. Circulatory problems like deep vein thrombosis and venous insufficiency are often associated with low levels of this amino acid.
- This amino acid is thought to increase the amount of red blood cells it takes to move nutrients through the body. The increased number of red blood cells could help reduce the risk of hemorrhaging or deep vein thromb
- It has also been shown to improve the function of the circulatory system and could possibly help lower blood pressure. The effects of these supplements on cardiovascular disease, however, are not fully understood.
