The Wonderful Benefits of MSM
Sulfur is one of the minerals crucial to life. It is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is a basic component of the proteins that compose our organs and muscles. It is a co-factor of essential vitamins and enzymes. The well-being of our entire body is dependent upon it. Unfortunately, it has been the most ignored nutrient in nutritional science. One of the reasons is that, although sulfur is very common, the body needs sulfur in the organic forms, such as MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) and sulfur containing amino acids. MSM and related compounds supply eighty five per cent of the sulfur found in living organisms. Sulfur is converted to the organic MSM by plankton in the sea. Diets that include fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meats provide adequate supply of MSM, but the foods must be eaten within 24 hours after harvesting because MSM is unstable and evaporates rapidly. Cooking, drying, storing, and processing also destroy MSM.
Stanley Jacob, M.D. did pioneering research on DMSO while at the University of Oregon Health Sciences University in the early 1960’s. He discovered that DMSO, a strong smelling by-product of paper pulp mills with known anti-inflammatory properties, could be heated to produce pure MSM, an odorless, tasteless, water-soluble compound. He treated over 12,000 patients with significant doses of MSM for long periods of time without side effects. His published studies led to 16 patents on the beneficial uses of MSM, including improvements in skin, hair, nails, connective tissues, treatment of burn patients, arthritis, allergies, carpal tunnel syndrome, and gastrointestinal complaints, including constipation and intestinal parasites. Research documentation in test tubes and in lower animals showed that MSM lessens inflammation, reduces pain, improves blood supply, and decreases muscle spasms.
Due to the demand for MSM in all tissues of the body, deficiency produces a wide variety of symptoms and supplementation provides a broad spectrum of benefits with this remarkable nutrient. MSM nourishes the skin, hair, and nails by enhancing elasticity and repair of damaged collagen and elastin. With MSM supplementation, the skin has better tone, fewer wrinkles, and healthier appearance. Hair and nails become stronger and more resilient. Burns and scars heal more completely and are less unsightly. Many skin conditions improve. In our practice, we have observed skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and even long-standing psoriasis resolve with MSM. Allergy sufferers notice a 75 to 100 % reduction in symptoms of inhaled allergies such as dust or animal dander. MSM stabilizes, strengthens, and softens cell membranes, allowing free flow of fluids to remove allergens and foreign proteins from the body. Mast cells also release histamine more readily and to a greater degree when more brittle. MSM helps raise the threshold before an allergic response is triggered. Our allergy patients have noticed significant improvements in allergies with MSM. Food allergies improve also due to the stabilizing and healing effect on the intestinal tract and improvements have been noted in inflammatory and irritable bowel conditions as well as interstitial cystitis. Even environmental and chemical reactions diminish due to the detoxifying effect of MSM. Like all supplements, however, MSM supplements are NOT created equal! Purity is an important issue, due to toxic metals that can remain from wood pulp processing. Most vitamin manufacturers do not assure the potency of their products. Stability is another crucial issue, as MSM is unstable and easily destroyed over time. Formulations should also be in a bioavailable form and include important co-factors such as Vitamin C.
Recommended Reading:
DMSO by Dr. Morton Walker
The MSM Miracle by Dr. Earl Mindell
Lifetime Arthritis Relief System by Marshall Mandell, M.D.
5-day Allergy Relief System by Marshall Mandell, M.D.