Methylsulfonylmethane (msm)
Scientific names: Methylsulfonylmethane, Dimethyl sulfone
Alternate names: Crystalline DMSO, Dimethyl Sulfone MSM, Diméthylsulfone, DMSO2, Methyl Sulfone, Methyl Sulfonyl Methane, Methyl Sulphonyl Methane, Méthyle Sulfonyle Méthane, Méthyle Sulphonyle Méthane, Methylsulphonylmethane, Méthylsulfonylméthane, Metilsulfonilmentano, MSM, Sulfone de Diméthyle MSM, Sulfone de Méthyle, Sulfonyl Sulfur
Actions: Antiarthritic, Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory, Immune
Background
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a chemical that occurs naturally in humans, as well as some green plants and animals. It can also be made in a lab.
MSM might supply sulfur to make other chemicals in the body. But there is no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for MSM or sulfur, and sulfur deficiency is not a known condition.
People commonly use MSM for osteoarthritis. It is also used for pain, swelling, aging skin, hay fever, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Don't confuse MSM with DMSO (Dimethylsulfoxide). They are not the same compound.
MSM might supply sulfur to make other chemicals in the body. But there is no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for MSM or sulfur, and sulfur deficiency is not a known condition.
People commonly use MSM for osteoarthritis. It is also used for pain, swelling, aging skin, hay fever, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Don't confuse MSM with DMSO (Dimethylsulfoxide). They are not the same compound.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: MSM is possibly safe when used for up to 6 months. In some people, MSM might cause nausea, diarrhea, bloating, and stomach discomfort.
When applied to the skin: MSM is possibly safe when used in combination with other ingredients, such as silymarin or hyaluronic acid and tea tree oil, for up to 20 days.
Varicose veins and other circulatory problems (chronic venous insufficiency): Applying a lotion that contains MSM to the lower limbs can increase swelling and pain in people with varicose veins and other circulatory problems.
When applied to the skin: MSM is possibly safe when used in combination with other ingredients, such as silymarin or hyaluronic acid and tea tree oil, for up to 20 days.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if MSM is safe to use when pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Varicose veins and other circulatory problems (chronic venous insufficiency): Applying a lotion that contains MSM to the lower limbs can increase swelling and pain in people with varicose veins and other circulatory problems.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Osteoarthritis. Taking MSM by mouth, alone or together with other ingredients such as glucosamine, can slightly reduce pain and swelling and improve function in people with osteoarthritis.
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- Poor circulation that can cause the legs to swell (chronic venous insufficiency or CVI). Applying MSM and EDTA to the skin can reduce swelling in people with CVI. But applying MSM alone seems to make swelling worse.
Dosing & administration
MSM has most often been used by adults in doses of 1-6 grams by mouth daily for up to 16 weeks. MSM is also available in combination products, and topical creams and gels. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) interacts with any medicines. Before taking Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
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Per 15 g (Chocolate):
- Dimethyl sulfone (MSM) 1.5 g
- Glucosamine sulphate potassium chloride 2 g equiv. glucosamine sulphate 1.5 g equiv. potassium chloride 491.8 mg
- Bovine collagen peptides (Gelatin) 10 g
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous 40 mg
- Cholecalciferol 25 μg equiv. vitamin D3 1000 IU
- Borax 26 mg equiv. boron 3 mg
- Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1) 70 μg
Practitioner product
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Practitioner product
Practitioner product
Per 7 g:
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) 100 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 643 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. italica powder 100 mg
- Silybum marianum ext. 500 mg
- Schisandra chinensis ext. 200 mg
- Cynara scolymus ext. 800 mg
- Hordeum vulgare 883 mg
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder 100 mg
- Rosmarinus officinalis ext. 50 mg
- Coriandrum sativum powder 50 mg
- Galium aparine ext. 160 mg
- L-glutamine 800 mg
- Trimethylglycine (TMG) 300 mg
- Calcium D-glucarate 100 mg
- Taurine 60 mg
- L-cysteine 50 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 80 mg
- Magnesium citrate 8 mg
- Zinc citrate 5 mg
- R-alpha lipoic acid 25 mg
- Apple pectin 320 mg
- Natural lemon lime flavour
- Xylitol
- Glycine
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Citric acid anhydrous
Practitioner product
Per tablet:
- Dimethyl sulfone (MSM) 100 mg
- Glucosamine hydrochloride 1.5 g equiv. glucosamine 1.245 g
- Sodium chondroitin sulphate (bovine) 130 mg equiv. chondroitin sulphate 120 mg
- L-proline 10 mg
- Glycine 10 mg
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous 10 mg equiv. silicon 4.67 mg
- Zinc oxide 6.23 mg equiv. zinc 5 mg
- Manganese sulphate monohydrate 9.23 mg equiv. manganese 3 mg
- Zingiber officinale ext. 50 mg
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Per 8 g:
- Dimethyl sulfone (MSM) 100 mg
- Glutamine 2 g
- Zinc carnosine (Polaprezinc) 74.41 mg equiv. zinc 16 mg
- Pectin 1 g
- Uncaria tomentosa ext. 200 mg
- Ulmus rubra ext. 125 mg
- Quercetin 100 mg
- Glycyrrhiza glabra ext. 50 mg
- Matricaria chamomilla ext. 20 mg
- Aloe barbadensis ext. 2.5 mg
- Althaea officinalis ext. 5 mg
- Hibiscus esculentus ext. 25 mg
Practitioner product
Per 3.5 g (Chocolate):
- Dimethyl sulfone (MSM) 60 mg
- Camellia sinensis ext. 125 mg
- Ocimum tenuiflorum ext. 105 mg
- Tanacetum parthenium ext. 25 mg
- Curcumin (Turmeric) 10 mg
- Lavandula angustifolia ext. 100 mg
- Theobroma cacao ext. 520 mg
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 117.94 mg
- L-leucine 100 mg
- Magnesium citrate 705.74 mg equiv. magnesium 80 mg
- Inositol 100 mg
- Cholecalciferol 12.5 μg equiv. vitamin D3 500 IU
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 18.51 mg equiv. thiamine 15 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 15 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 30.39 mg equiv. pyridoxine 25 mg
- Folic acid 150 μg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 50 μg
Practitioner product
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This monograph was last reviewed on 17/06/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 14/03/2014 03:26:28. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
