MSM: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Scientific name(s)
Methylsulfonylmethane
Family or group:
Minerals and trace elements
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Arthritis ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research shows that taking 1.5 to 6 g of MSM orally in two or three divided doses per day, alone or in combination with glucosamine, can modestly improve joint function and certain symptoms of osteoarthritis such as pain and swelling. MSM has been studied in combination with other supplements. A clinical trial conducted in adults with knee osteoarthritis shows that daily intake of 500 mg of MSM, 1500 mg of glucosamine sulfate and 1200 mg of chondroitin sulfate for 12 weeks is associated with a greater reduction in pain and osteoarthritis scores compared with glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate alone. Clinical studies using combined products containing 5 g of MSM per day and 7.2 mg of boswellic acid per day, taken orally for 60 days, show reductions in the use of anti-inflammatory medications.
Posologie
Orally
500 - 6000 mg
Synergies
Methylsulfonylmethane and boswellic acids versus glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of knee arthritis: Randomized trial
Effects of AR7 Joint Complex on arthralgia for patients with osteoarthritis: results of a three-month study in Shanghai, China
Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial
Methylsulfonylmethane for treatment of low back pain: A safety analysis of a randomized, controlled trial
The "MESACA" study: methylsulfonylmethane and boswellic acids in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis
Comparison of Glucosamine-Chondroitin Sulfate with and without Methylsulfonylmethane in Grade I-II Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane supplementation on osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled study
Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis
Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement
Methylsulfonylmethane Improves Knee Quality of Life in Participants with Mild Knee Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Wrinkles ✪✪✪✪✪
A study examined the effects of oral MSM supplementation on signs of skin aging. It consisted of two parts: a pilot study with 20 participants taking 3 g of MSM or a placebo per day for 16 weeks, and a dose-response study with 63 participants taking 1 g or 3 g of MSM per day for the same period. The results showed significant improvements in signs of skin aging, including a reduction in facial wrinkles and improvements in skin firmness, elasticity, and hydration with both doses of MSM. The study suggests that a low dose of 1 g/day of MSM can effectively reduce visible signs of skin aging.
Posologie
Oral administration
1000 - 3000 mg
OptiMSM
Sports performance ✪✪✪✪✪
Intense, prolonged exercise can lead to muscle pain caused by microtrauma to the muscles and surrounding connective tissue, triggering a local inflammatory response. MSM is considered an effective agent against muscle pain because of its anti-inflammatory effects and its potential to provide sulfur to connective tissue. MSM supplementation has been shown to reduce endurance exercise-induced muscle damage, as demonstrated in a small study. Pretreatment with MSM reduced muscle soreness after fatiguing resistance exercises and endurance exercise.
Posologie
Oral administration
2500 mg
Effects of methylsulfonylmethane supplementation on oxidative stress, muscle soreness, and performance variables following eccentric exercise
Muscle soreness and delayed-onset muscle soreness
Effects of MSM on exercise-induced muscle and joint pain: a pilot study
Influence of methylsulfonylmethane on markers of exercise recovery and performance in healthy men: a pilot study
Skin health ✪✪✪✪✪
Since 1981, MSM has been suggested to have therapeutic uses for improving skin quality. nnClinical research in patients with rosacea shows that topical application of a cream containing silymarin and MSM twice daily for one month improves skin redness, papules, itching, hydration, and skin tone compared with baseline.nnIn a case study, a 44-year-old man with X-linked ichthyosis, a severe skin condition, experienced a notable improvement in his symptoms after four weeks of using a moisturizing topical cream. This cream contained a blend of amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, and MSM.nn
Posologie
Topical, oral
1000 mg
Synergies
Oxidative stress ✪✪✪✪✪
In humans, taking MSM before endurance exercise leads to an acute reduction in exercise-induced protein oxidation, bilirubin, lipid peroxidation, creatine kinase, oxidized glutathione, and uric acid, and also to an increase in total antioxidant capacity. nn
Posologie
Oral
2500 mg
Allergic rhinitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that taking 2600 mg of MSM (OptiMSM) orally for 30 days may relieve some symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis compared with baseline values.nnHowever, this study has several limitations: it did not include a control group, nor information on the severity of the symptoms.nn
Posologie
Oral
2600 mg
OptiMSM
Hair beauty ✪✪✪✪✪
MSM has been suggested to have therapeutic uses for improving hair quality by acting as a sulfur donor to keratin.nn
Posologie
Oral
1000 mg
Properties
Musculoskeletal effects
MSM is being studied for its potential effects on healing post-exercise muscle injuries. Some clinical trials have shown that MSM can reduce markers of muscle damage, such as creatine kinase, indicating faster recovery. nnIn addition, MSM appears to increase the body's antioxidant capacity and decrease homocysteine, which is beneficial for athletes. nnFurthermore, MSM may inhibit degenerative changes in the joints and reduce inflammation, possibly by stabilizing cell membranes and neutralizing free radicals.nn
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
MSM shows promising anti-inflammatory activity. In vitro, it has been observed to inhibit the oxidative functions of neutrophils and reduce levels of NF-κB, a key signaling factor in inflammatory processes. This inhibition affects the production of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α. nnIn humans, MSM also appears to decrease levels of malondialdehyde, an indicator of oxidative stress, thereby improving antioxidant status and reducing lipid peroxidation. In addition, it reduces levels of homocysteine, an amino acid linked to inflammation and atherosclerosis.nn
Usages associés
Effect of chronic supplementation with methylsulfonylmethane on oxidative stress following acute exercise in untrained healthy men
Dermatologic effect
MSM could also positively influence hair growth. In a study on mice, topical application of a 10% MSM solution, used alone or combined with 5% minoxidil, showed a significant increase in hair growth, the number of hair follicles, and their diameter, compared with an untreated control group. These results suggest that MSM could be a promising component in hair treatments.
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adults 18 years and older: 1000 mg - 6000 mg
MSM is used orally at doses of 1.5-6 g per day or 50 mg/kg per day as demonstrated in studies lasting up to 6 months.nnA specific product (OptiMSM) is generally recognized as safe.nn
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Information not available.nn
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Information not available.nn
Children up to 18 years: avoid
Information not available.nn
