Health Benefits of MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)

Methylsulfonylmethane is a chemical compound (organic sulfur compound) that is required for the development and maintenance of connective and other tissue types. MSM is found throughout our body in nails, skin, tissues, etc. (as MSM is an important building block of the hair and tissues).

Health Benefits of MSM
In the past few years, the dietary supplement, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), has become very popular among people suffering from various problems such as different types of allergies, inflammations, heartburn, fibromyalgia, arthritis, rhinitis, hair problems (those with below normal keratin levels in hair), joint pain, parasitic infection, irritable bowel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome and also skin and nail related issues. MSM is also believed to be useful in strengthening joints, balancing blood flow as it helps in increasing the blood flow, muscle contraction problem and mobility related problems, etc.

In many cases of arthritis, MSM in combination with other herbs and medicines has proven to be the best remedy available and the patients have found it more than effective for their condition.

MSM in combination with glucosamine, chondroitin and few other herbs/medicines work magic for the patient suffering from joint pain. It is also supposed to have an important role to play in treatment of cancer (it helps in reducing growth of some type of carcinogenic cells) and seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) as MSM helps in fighting symptoms of these diseases; more study in this area is still needed to reach a concrete conclusion.

However, the effect of medication depends on the patient's condition and response of patient's body to such externally provided substances. Many clinical trials and case studies are also being carried out in order to reveal other benefits and side effects of MSM on human body.

Are there Any Known Side Effects of MSM?
As MSM and its effects on human health is still a subject of study/research, there has been no discovery of a prominent side effect caused by MSM. As already mentioned above, a patient's body condition and response to the treatment (doses of MSM) should be monitored in order to find out if there is any adverse effect caused by MSM.

In order to avoid any kind of side effects, you should first prepare a chart of your body requirement for MSM and start taking very small dosages of MSM. Large dosages of MSM should be avoided unless there is a need and you are receiving constant supervision from your physician.

Readers are requested to consult physicians before they decide on starting MSM supplement dosages. As the study of possible side effects of MSM is still a case in green (still needs some time to reveal the results), anyone who wants to try MSM should be extra careful about anything unusual that happens to them once they start with MSM dosage.

MSM Sources
MSM is available in small quantities in almost all the vegetables, fruits and grains. Garlic, soybeans, seeds, animal products such as eggs, etc., are the most prominent sources of MSM. Nowadays, there are many MSM dietary supplement products available in market which can be of great help, however, people should consult their physician before they start using any such product.