MSM General Information
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane or Methyl Sulfonyl Methane) is a naturally occurring sulfur compound that plays a crucial role in forming muscles, nails, hair and skin as well as building healthy cells. In their book, The Miracle of MSM; The Natural Solution for Pain, Stanley W. Jacob, M.D. and Ronald M. Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D. say: “MSM offers a natural way to reduce pain and inflammation without serious side effects. MSM may even deliver as much or even more relief as some of the standard painkillers – MSM just doesn’t work as fast. That’s because MSM is not a drug; MSM is a nutritional supplement. But you will often begin to experience noticeable easing of pain and discomfort, along with more energy, and in general feel better, within days of starting MSM.”1

MSM relieves; MSM does not cure. Many years of clinical use at Oregon Health Sciences University have demonstrated that MSM provides major pain relief through the following actions:

MSM inhibits pain impulses along nerve fibers (analgesic effect)
MSM lessens inflammation
MSM increases blood supply
MSM reduces muscle spasm
MSM aids in the softening of scar tissue
MSM won’t cure an illness such as arthritis or lupus. The dictionary defines cure as an elimination of disease. MSM doesn’t do that. For example, we don’t cure diabetes with insulin. We control it. What MSM does is to serve as a natural remedy to relieve the pain, inflammation and many symptoms of illness. Generally, MSM provides relief for as long as you take it, although sometimes health problems don’t return even if you stop taking MSM.

Dr. Stanley Jacob reports that he found MSM produced many – but not all of the DMSO effects. He considers the following to be MSM’s most significant actions:

MSM is an analgesic. MSM relieves pain.
MSM reduces inflammation.
MSM passes through cellular membranes of the body, including the skin.
MSM dilates blood vessels (vasodilation) and increases blood flow.
MSM is a cholinesterase inhibitor. Cholinsterase is an enzyme that stops excessive passage of nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another. I have seen MSM provide swift relief of constipation associated with aging. By blocking the action of cholinesterase, MSM helps restore normal bowel activity (peristalsis).
MSM reduces muscle spasm. Injury or inflammations commonly cause spasm in a muscle or group of muscles. Spasm involves a sudden contraction, which is followed by pain and interference with function. Spasm can be felt by a physician’s touch or measured with electromyography. If you apply an MSM gel or cream to an affected area and then feel the muscle again later, or measure it electrically, the muscle is looser, the area less tender. MSM taken orally produces a muscle-relaxing effect.
MSM alters the cross linking process in collagen, thus reducing scar tissue. Cross linking is the process in which new structural proteins are knitted to existing healthy tissue at the sites of surgical incisions or traumatic damage in the body.
MSM has antiparasitic properties, particularly for giardia, a protozoan parasite that causes diarrhea.
MSM has an immune normalizing effect, as observed in some autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma.
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Excerpts from the book "The MSM Miracle, Enhance your health with organic sulfur" by Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph.,Phd.

"MSM is a dietary element derived from many raw foods... MSM is neither a medicine nor a drug. MSM is a member of the sulfur family but should never be confused with sulfa drugs, to which some people are allergic. MSM has been used as a dietary supplement for several years. Acute, intermediate and long term studies indicate that MSM exhibits very low toxicity no matter how it is administered. How low? MSMs profile is similar to that of water! Within limits you cannot overdose with MSM because the body will take and use whatever it needs, and after a 12-hour period flush any excess amounts from the body.

"Sulfur is highly important. Approximately half of the total body sulfur is concentrated in the muscles, skin and bones. Sulfur is necessary for making collagen, the primary constituent of cartilage and connective tissue. It is responsible for the formation of body proteins through the formation of disulfide bonds, which hold connective tissue together.

"MSM has been shown to add flexibility to cell walls while allowing fluids to pass through the tissue more easily. MSM enhances tissue pliability and encourages the repair of damaged skin."2

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MSM Natural Sources
Methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM) is a naturally occurring sulfur compound found in the human body as well as in many common beverages and foods, including milk, coffee, tea and green vegetables. In its purified chemical form, MSM is an odorless, essentially tasteless, white, water soluble crystalline solid. MSM is one of the least toxic substances in biology, similar in toxicity to water.

MSM is a relative to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a unique therapeutic agent used worldwide in the treatment of many painful and inflammatory conditions. MSM has many of DMSO's properties, but without the oyster-like odor and other side effects.

Naturally occurring sulfur, such as that found in MSM, is not similar to inorganic sulfides, sulfites and sulfates to which many people are allergic.

Dietary MSM comes from fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, meats, seafood, and milk. Processing or cooking of these products, however, destroys or greatly reduces actual MSM content. MSM researcher Robert Hershcler says: "MSM is shy, evasive and escape-prone. While present naturally when food is very fresh, it can be driven out of any food by even moderate processing. People, generally speaking, will be sulfur-deficient unless they eat their fish and meat raw and their vegetables unwashed and uncooked." MSM levels in humans decline with age, resulting in symptoms of fatigue, tissue and organ malfunction, and increased susceptibility to disease.3

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References

Jacob, Stanley W. M.D., Lawrence, Ronald M. M.D., Ph.D., Zucker, Martin. The Miracle of MSM; The Natural Solution for Pain. New York: Berkley Books, 1999.
Mindell Earl L. The MSM Miracle, Enhance your health with organic sulfur"
Jacob, Stanley, and Robert Herschler. Pharmacology of DMSO: Cryobiology, 1986.
Non-footnoted items are published with the exclusive permission of Carolwood Corporation.

MSM = Methyl Sulfonyl Methane

MSM:
DMSO After 20 years

by

Stanley W. Jacob and Robert Herschler

Department of Surgery

Oregon Health Science University
Portland, Oregon

MSM, an odorless essentially tasteless, white crystalline chemical, demonstrates usefulness as a dietary supplement in men and lower animals.

Our research suggests that a minimum concentration in the body may be critical to both normal function and structure. Limited studies suggest that the systemic concentration of MSM drops in mammals with increasing age.

This may be due to dietary habits where one ingests foods with lower MSM potential with maturity or possibly there is a change in the renal threshold. Healthy juvenile rabbits maintain a level at or above 1 ppm [part per million] body weight, with milk being the dominant food and source. Cow's milk normally contains between 2 and 6 ppm MSM, dependent on source and freshness.

In an adult man, the circulating concentration varies but may average about 0.20 - 0.25 ppm. We have no estimate of total body concentration as yet, but suspect that MSM is banked in some of the organs, other than the adrenals.

Based on radiolabel (35 S) studies, the residence time of a single challenge in mammals may be several weeks with gradual dumping via the renal system. Daily output of urine contains several milligrams of MSM. This possibly is not the dominant excretory route. The following abnormal conditions seen in the clinic have responded to oral MSM generally administered at dosage levels of 250-270 mg/day. (Footnote #25)

Response to allergy:

Oral MSM moderates diverse allergic responses as to pollen and foods. Antiallergy medication and dissemination methods may be sharply reduced.

Control of hyperacidity:

Subjects that are chronic users of various antacids and histamine H2 receptor antagonists prefer MSM by reason of relief obtained coupled with freedom from serious, untoward effects.

Hypersensitivity to drugs:

Subjects demonstrating drug hypersensitivity to aspirin, several nonsterioid antiarthritic agents (Naprosy, Indocin, Motria), and oral antibiotics, were drug tolerant when MSM was given within an hour before or concurrent with the sensitizing drug

Control of constipation:

Particularly in the older population seen in our clinic, chronic constipation can be a medical problem of concern.

To date, over 50 subjects presenting chronic constipation have gained prompt and continuing relief by supplementing the diet with 100 to 500 mg of MSM per day.

We have seen some individuals with severely restricted lung function. Of these, only a few cooperated in vital function assessments.

All cooperated in endurance measurements. Limited objective and strong subjective evidence suggests that MSM is a useful dietary supplement to reduce lung dysfunction.

Anti-parasitic action:

In vitro and in vivo tests suggest MSM has an activity against a variety of medically important parasitic tracts, MSM, for example, is active against Giardia, Trichomondads, and round worms.

MSM presents a blocking interface between host and parasite. We are at present evaluating the action of MSM with a variety of abnormal or medical problems to determine whether any are responsive to a diet supplemented by MSM.

We are intrigued by the fact that MSM is a contestant factor in all normal diets of vertebrates and somewhat mystified by the seeming need of the body of adults for a concentration level above that available from a diet presumed as normal.

We hope soon to have data defining any specific interacting role that MSM may have with the water-soluble vitamins, particularly Vitamin C, which like MSM is reportedly banked in the adrenals. (Footnote #26)

It is not possible to directly compare DMSO and derivative MSM, though of the same chemical family.

Each is unique unto itself. MSM is a dietary factor derivable from most natural foods. It is conveniently taken alone or in foods. Taken by mouth, there is no after-breath.

DMSO has certain unpleasant attributes not possessed by MSM. While MSM is a dietary factor, DMSO is not. DMSO readily penetrates the dermas and less complicated membrane systems while MSM does not. Each contributes to the well being of mankind, but in differing ways. Both have important implications.

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--as reported in the Journal of the New York Academy of Sciences

Arthritis Study

Jack O. Hyle Ph.D., P.M.D., P.C.

MSM

I. The Patients - 170 volunteers

A. Arthritis

1. Rheumatoid - 120

2. Osteo -------- 28

B. Bursitis ------------ 15

C. Allergy ------------- 4

D. Emphysema ---------1

E. Dogs-----------------2

II. Administered

Each patient was given five (5) teaspoons laboratory grade MSM.

Instructions: Dissolve one (1) level teaspoon of MSM in a small glass of water, drink quickly. If results within 30 hours, do not take again until needed. If no results within 30 hours, take as above every other day.

III. The Results

A. 129/170 - mild-to-dramatic pain relief

B. 41/170 - no change

IV. Discussion

A. MSM alone is excellent for pain relief.

B. The patients that MSM "did not work," seemed to have a blocking effect from standard arthritic drugs.

Scar Tissue

Burn victim, Bill Rich, discovered MSM for himself when a veterinarian friend had him try MSM.

Bill explains that his skin was flat, purple and leathery, up and down a majority of the right side of his body. After only a few days of taking MSM, Bill noticed an increase of stamina and energy, and over time an astonishing effect on his scarred skin as it started to turn pink and fill in.

Now Bill has little more than a small section of skin that is still barely detectable after having more than 60 feet of skin graft scars. After years of using MSM and helping others, Bill Rich lectures on the benefits of MSM. If you get a cassette tape about MSM it may well be Bill Rich talking.

Wrinkles

When the body replaces old skin cells, if there is a deficiency of MSM, the new cells can be stiff and contribute to wrinkling.

MSM supplementation can help the body replace bad cells with good, healthy, elastic cells. Over time, wrinkles can go away, and brown and black spots and skin tumors can flow away as new cells replace the bad. Spider veins have disappeared!

Damaged Skin

It is the MSM in Aloe Vera leaves that sooths and repairs skin that has been cut, scraped, burned or damaged. The body then is able to repair the skin with the proper raw materials.

Thus, MSM is even more basic than Aloe Vera for this usage. This explains why only "fresh" Aloe Vera has the beneficial effect.

Detoxifying

Perhaps 20% of the population may experience negative detoxification symptoms in the first 1-10 days during which toxins are flushed from the system, depending on the quantity of MSM they use.

Symptoms may include diarrhea, skin rash and/or possible headache along with several days of fatigue. In general, the more intense the symptoms the more toxins there are in the body and the more MSM is needed for detoxification.

As with all detoxifying actions, you will have to be the judge as to whether you go slowly or rapidly. If you take small amounts of MSM, you’ll probably notice nothing very dramatic.

If you take larger amount, particularly during the first several days, you may well experience whatever toxic reactions your body has stored up for you.

These toxic reactions can seem so "normal" that you just think you are "sick," so when you start with MSM, on heavy doses, you should drink LOTS of water and make sure you get plenty of sleep. These two actions will speed the detoxifying activity and allow you to feel better faster.

To reduce toxic symptoms (if you suspect Candida or metals) start with a lower dose of 750 mg twice a day and build up to 3,000 mg twice a day. Otherwise for a maximum benefit, it’s recommended to use an initial "load" dose of 3,000 mg twice a day. This dose can be safely continued indefinitely for maximum results). After initial treatment, physical energy levels should increase.

A single dose of MSM is usually not effective in ameliorating symptoms. Noticeable results are usually seen within 2 to 21 days. The minimum individual dose is about 750-1,000 mg. However, total daily dosages of 1,500 to 5,000 mg are recommended (2,500 to 5,000 mg being preferable).

The benefit of MSM will further be enhanced when 2,000 mg or more of Vitamin C is consumed. My recommended formula for oral chelation includes 4,500 mg of vitamin C per day. MSM would be an excellent additional nutrient to take with the oral chelation formula because it would complement it in many ways.

Subjects with chronic to sever allergies to environmental materials such as house dust, pollen, wool animal hair, feathers, and other diverse allergens report substantial to complete relief of their allergy symptoms. Allergy symptoms ranged from respiratory congestion to inflammation, itching, mucoid discharges, and general discomfort.

MSM = Methyl Sulfonyl Methane
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sulfur

Diabetes

My name is Sylvia, I have had diabetes for several years. It was hard to control -- either too much sugar or not enough.

After 3 months on MSM, I am self-regulating my sugar levels. I am so grateful I stayed with it for the full 3 months. I now take 10 capsules a day, to feel good.

Here’s how it works:

The cells in the body have become rigid and non-permeable.

The insulin carries the blood sugar to your cells but it does not become absorbed because the cell walls are not permeable and they prevent all the blood sugar from getting inside the cell.

The pancreas works hard and fast to compensate for the deficiency, but becomes injured and stops working correctly. The blood sugars that are not being used saturate the blood stream, creating a high level of blood sugar. By taking MSM regularly, your cells become permeable and the pancreas begins to be repaired.

The blood sugars are now being absorbed through cell walls and the body becomes healthier. After a few months on MSM, the pancreas should become self-regulating, balancing your sugar levels.

Diverticulosis

My name is Betty, I had diverticulosis. I took five capsules of MSM twice daily (morning and night). The pain went away and I did not have to go to the doctor. I will continue to use MSM as I do not want to see my doctor again, and God knows I love him.

Here's how it works:

MSM is an anti-parasite. Hook worms, tape worms, and pin-worms hang on to the pockets in the colon. MSM fills in the pockets and leaves a natural Teflon-like coating that they can't cling on to. As the worms hatch they flush out, preventing diverticulosis and constipation.

Emphysema

My name is John Booth and I live in Portland Oregon.

I worked in the shipyards as a welder down in the hull and smoked 2 packs of cigarettes a day. I got what doctors call emphysema, I was coughing and hurting most the time.

I started taking MSM and after a year I have strong lungs that allow me to breathe easily. The MSM made it possible for me to continue on with my work and my life. (Footnote #24)

Here's how it works:

Emphysema is not caused by smoking. Dogs get it, horses get it, and they never smoke. But the smoking burns the tissues in the lungs so that the cells are dying faster than the body is able to replace the new cells.

Think of it in terms of making concrete: one guy brings water, one guy brings sand, and the another guy brings the cement.

You have what you need to make concrete, but the guy bringing the cement keeps taking a break because his feet hurt.

The final mixture or product you have is adobe and not concrete.

When cells are dying in a hurry and you're not giving your body enough building materials, you start losing the flexibility in the lungs and they tear. If this happens too often, and you still don't provide the necessary building materials, you start to build a type of scar tissue.

MSM gives your body the building materials it needs to make good flexible cells and strong lungs, with the ability to expand and contract freely. It also helps sore and tired feet.

20 Minute Hangover

My name is Kathleen, I was very sick with a bad hangover, a fun night out ended with a crash.

I heard about MSM and how it flushes alcohol and other toxins out of your system and decided to try it. I took thirty capsules and in about 20 minutes I felt fine; the hangover crashed and burned, not me.

That was a large number of capsules, but it was sure worth it!

Here's how it works:

When you drink alcohol it gets into your cells and is trapped preventing oxygen from getting in.

The cells die of oxygen starvation, causing you to feel ill.

MSM makes the cell walls permeable so that the alcohol can be flushed out, along with other toxins, and oxygen can get in. Your body will begin to feel better and the hangover will be gone in a very short time (approximately 20 minutes).

Chronic Headaches

My name is Dr. JoAnn Cain and I live in Santa Monica, California. Once a week I either had a headache or was continuously building up to or recovering from a headache.

I started taking MSM twice daily and have done so for the past six months. I have not had a headache since I started.

Here's how it works:

MSM helps to make the cell walls more permeable which increases circulation. By increasing circulation there is less build up of pressure and in effect less pain. Taking the MSM regularly will help maintain good circulation and low pressure.

Hypoglycemia

Dr. Hannon Wapaca at Lahoya was a hypoglycemic and was afraid she was going to lose her big toe through gangrene. She takes MSM daily and feels better.

The last time we heard from her she had nearly forgotten all about the toe not because it was gone but because it quit hurting and was completely healed after a few days on the MSM.

Here's how it works:

The cells in the body have become rigid and non-permeable. There is too much insulin carrying blood sugars to your cells. The blood sugars do not get used because the cell walls are not permeable and the cells do not absorb the blood sugar.

There is more insulin than blood sugars in the blood stream, so the body believes it needs more sugars. It really does! You then have low blood sugars and have a low or swing. By taking MSM regularly your cells become permeable.

The blood sugars are now being absorbed by the cells and the body becomes healthier. After a few months on MSM the pancreas should be producing insulin at a normal rate.

Muscle Soreness and Lactic Acid

My name is Jack, I work out every day in the gym. Ordinarily I get sore muscles after I work out. I use MSM in large amounts (20 capsules) before I work out and my muscles do not get sore any.

Here's how it works:

The MSM prevents the crystallization and build up of lactic acid. The MSM flushes the lactic acid out, along with all the other bad toxins in your system.

By taking large amounts of MSM, more toxins that cause soreness are flushed out of your system. Remember, lactic acid is nothing more than a toxin, and can be detoxified just like any other toxin in the body – by MSM.

Pain and Inflammation

My name is Bob, I am a professional ball player. Because I over extended my joints while training, I had bad inflammation in my knees.

I took ten capsules of MSM.

Literally in a few hours I had tremendous relief of the pain. After continuing to take ten capsules twice a day (morning and evening) over a short period of time, the swelling in my knees went down and I could see my knee caps again. MSM saved my career.

Because of the MSM I have mobility, agility, and feel much better.

Here's how it works:

MSM works on pain. Think of a cell as a balloon full of water but instead of being made of rubber it's made of protein.

When the protein is tough the water pressure inside the cell can become much greater than the water pressure outside the cell, and this causes inflammation or inflating of the cell.

This is where most pain comes from. Aspirin shuts the nerve off but the cell is still damaged. MSM effects the protein so that the water freely flows through the cell wall, taking toxins out and getting more nutrition in.

That is why a person with emphysema and asthma experience immediate relief. The cells’ flexibility enables more oxygen and nutrition to get inside the cell.

PMS

My name is Joan I used to have cramps and nausea every month. I started taking MSM capsules two times a day. Five capsules in the morning and in the night for two months. Now I do not have the cramps and nausea any more. I take five capsules a day, and I feel good.

Here's how it works:

MSM helps the glands maintain a normal level of production. The normal level of enzymes, acids, and hormones, allows the body to go in and out of the cycle smoothly eliminating the cramps, headaches and nausea that come with the monthly cycle.

Water Retention Due To Weak Kidneys

My name is Mr. Jones, my kidneys were not working right and caused by legs to retain water.

My legs were swollen so badly that I was unable to fit in my shoes. I was introduced to MSM and began taking five capsules daily (a.m. - p.m.). Within a few days my kidneys began working right and the swelling was reduced to normal.

Because of this I know MSM really works!

Here's how it works:

The kidneys start slowing down due to some bad cells. The MSM gives the body the building blocks it needs to make good cells. The bad cells are replaced by good ones so the kidneys start working again. By fixing the kidney, the body will cure itself of the water retention and