What is MSM, Biological Sulfur?

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)

Biological Sulphur is an organic sulfur compound occurring widely in nature and is one of the most common substances found in the body. While found naturally in raw foods, it is destroyed by even modest processing.

The way nature made it MethylSulfonylMethane is present in most green plant food stuffs and certain algae, but is destroyed with dehydration and heat. Simply stated, if you cook your food, you're eliminating important nutritional benefits, including MSM. Proteins are essential for proper cellular metabolism and soft tissue synthesis. Proper protein synthesis can only be achieved with alpha-amino acid monomers which maintain the correct molecular framework for soft and connective tissue throughout the human body. Because protein is the main ingredient in most soft tissue, beneficial effects from regular use of MSM have been reported for alleviating arthritis, improved flexibility, smoother skin, healthier hair and nails and faster and better healing from surgical procedures or traumatic events. MSM is the transport molecule for elemental sulfur which is required for proper assimilation of the alpha amino acids methionine and cysteine. In addition, the peptide hormone - insulin requires sulfur in its molecular structure and numerous other proteins, catalysts, and enzymes incorporate sulfur into their molecular framework. For general use, MSM should be taken internally as a food supplement. Topical application of MSM would penetrate only the immediate epidermal layers of the skin.
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Nutritional Significance and Medical Applications of MSM A biologically active sulfur compound.

ABSTRACT
MSM(methylsulfonylmethane), a naturally occurring dietary derivative of DMSO, serves as an important source of bIoavailable dietary sulfur and, when administered orally, is effective in ameliorating symptoms of physiological response to stress including gastrointestinal upset, inflammation of the mucous membranes, pain associated with musculoskeletal system disorders, and infectant allergens. MSM appears to augment immunological competence through a natural, vitamin- like moderating or normalizing activity for various body functions and is noted for its exceptionally non-toxic nature. MSM has proved useful as a dietary supplement for both children and adults, including geriatric patients. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a naturally occurring sulfur containing compound with multiple functions in the body. MSM is naturally present in body fluids and tissues and is found in milk and a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains in small amounts. At low levels of ingestion, it functions as a normal dietary ingredient and assimilable source of essential dietary sulfur. At higher levels it functions as a pharmaceutically active agent which can be used safely and effectively for a variety of purposes. The development of MSM as a dietary supple ment stemmed from research on DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide). As a stable, odorless dietary metabolite of DMSO, MSM possesses certain biomedical properties similar to DMSO together with additional biological activity not possessed by DMSO. MSM, unlike DMSO, is a dietary factor and is free of the unpleasant odor found with the use of DMSO. MSM, like DMSO, enhances urinary taurine secretion produced by aromatic hydrocarbons in man and neutralizes the toxicity of anticholinesterases, thereby providing protection against insecticide exposure or ingestion.

NUTRITIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF MSM
MSM, and many precursor compounds which are readily converted to MSM in the body, are found in most natural, unprocessed foods. However, because of its volatility, it is readily lost when fresh food is processed and/or stored. Unless the diet consists largely of raw, unprocessed foods, it is unlikely that sufficient MSM will be ingested to contribute significantly to the daily nutritional sulfur requirements, thus furthering the high incidence of sulfur- deficient diets which exist globally. Sulfur plays an indispensable role in human nutrition which is often overlooked. It is responsible for the conformation of body proteins through the formation of disulfide bonds, thereby holding connective tissue together. Thiol (i.e. sulfhydryl) groups are vital for the catalytic function of several body enzymes. To perform these roles, constant intake of assimilable sulfur is needed by the body. Although MSM has not yet been established to be a vitamin, it does have a vitamin-like moderating or normalizing activity for various body functions, as there appears to be high correlation between abnormal physiological symptoms and low MSM blood levels in human beings. Although MSM is found as a natural constituent of foodstuffs, like vitamin D, the principle supply is believed to be synthesized by the body using one of its naturally occurring precursor compounds. Also, excretion data show that MSM occurs in lower concentrations with increasing age. Too low a body concentration of MSM may potentially result in adverse physical and psychological stress, tissue and organ malfunction, fatigue, and increased susceptibility to disease.

EFFECTS OF ORAL ADMINISTRATION DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
Oral preparations of MSM have been found useful in the normalization of body functions in patients displaying physiological symptoms of stress, particularly those sources of stress which cause gastrointestinal upset, inflammation of mucous membranes, and allergic reactions. MSM ameliorates these symptoms thereby permitting more rapid recovery. Conditions which have favorably responded to oral MSM include the following:

ALLERGIC RESPONSES
MSM has a broad and profound beneficial effect in ameliorating diverse allergic responses. MSM ameliorates allergic reactions to inhalant, ingestant, contact, and infectant allergens. Subjects find a direct correlation between concentration of MSM used and resistance to allergens. Environmental allergies: Subjects with chronic to severe 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. Although MSM alone may not totally eliminate allergic responses, the majority of subjects report a significant reduction in concurrent anti-allergy medication are required to keep their allergic symptoms to a minimum. Individuals with allergic asthma or hay fever typically report equivalent or better control of symptoms. Food and drug allergies: Individuals who manifest an allergic response to drugs, such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-arthritic agents (Indocin®,Motrin®) and oral antibiotics, as well as those who are mildly to severely allergic to various foods, such as cereals, shrimp and other seafood, milk, etc., report either a lessened intolerance or a complete tolerance to these substances. Thus, a major application of MSM may be as a safeguard against allergic response to orally ingested drugs, foods, or beverages which are allergens or irritants to individuals sensitive to these substances.

GASTROINTESTINAL UPSET
MSM is effective in ameliorating gastrointestinal upset such as that produced by the ingestion of aspirin and other pharmaceuticals or parasitic infections. Individuals with gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, chronic constipation, nausea, hyperacidity and/or epigastric pain, or inflammation of mucous membranes also will experience dramatic relief.

PAIN FROM SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS
Individuals presenting symptoms of pain and inflammation associated with various musculoskeletal system disorders, including arthritis, reported substantial and long-lasting relief. Most, trying first MSM alone, then a combination with ascorbic acid, reported greater benefit with the combination. The use of MSM with ascorbic acid is particularly useful in correcting leg cramps. MSM is capable of reducing the incidence of or entirely eliminating leg and back cramps, muscle spasms, and general soreness, particularly in geriatric patients who experience cramps at night or after long periods of inactivity. It's also effective for athletes who experience severe leg cramps during sports activity. Migraine suffers also have obtained substantial relief while arthritic patients report relief from pain and stiffness as well as reduced swelling and inflammation.

PARASITIC INFECTIONS
In vitro and in vivo tests suggest that MSM has ameliorating or curing activity against a variety of medically important parasitic, microbial, and fungal problems of the intestinal and urogenital tracts. MSM is active against Giardia lamblia (traveler's diarrhea), Trichomonas vaginalis, Nematodes, Enterobius and other intestinal worms, systemic infections by Histoplasma capsulation, Coccidioides Toxoplasm and other in vitro susceptible organisms. MSM may affect such infection by competing for binding or receptor sites at the mucous membrane surface presenting a blocking interface between host and parasite. MSM appears to augment immunological competence which may also partly explain its effectiveness in treating parasitic infections.

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