A body is made up of healthy, flexible cells, and body undergoes wear and tear all the time. New cells are replaced with worn out and old ones. This is a continuous process. When all raw materials needed for cell building are available, it is a perfect and efficient process. But, when there are deficiencies, the new cells may be deformed or weak.
MSM is a form of organic sulfur, which is most important raw material for building healthy new cells. Sulfur is an essential element to life that is found in every type of plants and animals. It makes up 0.25% of human body weight. Inorganic sulfur is not easily available to the organisms.
MSM has its important role in the permeability of cell membrane. It allows water and nutrients to freely move into the cells while allowing wastes and toxins to flow out. MSM along with vitamin C is building block of cells, they provide flexibility and linkage between cells. Deficiency of MSM may leads to problems such as loss of flexibility, wrinkles, joint problems, arteriosclerosis (hardened arteries), varicose vein, dry damage skin, digestive disorders and allergic reactions to food, animals and plants.
Nearly half of the total body sulfur is present in bones, muscles and skins. MSM is used to relieve pain and inflammation. Pain is a result of rigidity, swelling and accumulation of lactic acid in the fibrous tissues. MSM helps restore flexibility and permeability of the cells. It moderates the fluid pressure of cells thus relieving pain and inflammation. Lactic acid and toxins out flow while nutrients get in to the cells.
MSM has also shown remarkable ability in reducing or eliminating muscle soreness and cramps. It is given to horses before a race to prevent muscle soreness and after the race to reduce the risk of cramping.
Insulin is a hormone which acts like a key that opens the door for the food (glucose) to leave the bloodstream and get into the cells. This important hormone regulates carbohydrate metabolism. Sulfur is a major component of insulin, so deficiency of sulfur can result in decreased insulin production. As discussed above, deficiency of sulfur can make cells rigid and impermeable, so the efficiency of cells to absorb sugar from blood may be reduced. This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Some research studies indicate that regular MSM supplements cause cells to become permeable and could help balance blood sugar and relieve overworked pancreas.
Therapeutic Uses
MSM is used to alleviate the arthritis pain.
It relieves symptoms of inflammation and pain associated with physical stress and injuries.
It is active against Giardia lamblia, the causative agent of traveler’s diarrhea, roundworms and several other intestinal parasites.
It ameliorates gastrointestinal upsets.
MSM protects against many environmental allergies like pollen, wool, dust, animal scruff, hair and feathers.
MSM has shown some clinical evidence of relieving arthritis pain, but it is usually used with combination of other supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin and omega 3.
There are several studies on glucosamine, and it has a longer and proven track record in treating joint related problems. MSM might also dull some types of pain in your body. Therefore, it is better to use MSM in combination with glucosamine and chondroitin.
MSM is extremely helpful for arthritis and joint pain. Some people tout MSM as wonder arthritis cure, but there is no product or drug out there. MSM might relieve muscle pain, but it does nothing for the disease. MSM will not rebuild the already occurred damages, and will not ease other forms of pain. To widen the spectrum of joint discomfort, arthritis etc. other substances such Glucosamine and Chondroitin are used synergistically with MSM.
MSM is sold as a dietary supplement, often in combination with glucosamine and/or chondroitin for helping to treat or prevent arthritis. Small scale studies suggest some benefits in treating osteoarthritis, but no definitive conclusion can currently be drawn. There is little research on this supplement and its biochemical effects are poorly understood. So, it is hard to build a strong case for its use other than for treating arthritis problems.