Exciting MSM: Methylsulfonylmethane - an organic sulfur with great importance!
It pinches here, it pinches there, you feel organically unwell and have you ever been more satisfied with your external appearance? Despite a healthy lifestyle and varied diet, you suffer from diffuse symptoms?
Maybe you are also affected by a sulphur deficiency!
In this article, we report on how MSM, the organic sulphur methylsulphonylmethane, can support your health.
What is MSM?
Methylsulphonylmethane, also known as dimethylsulphone, is an organic sulphur compound. Sulphur occurs naturally in the body and is necessary for many functions of the human organism. We are made up of 0.2 per cent sulphur and even if that seems insignificant to you, it is five times more than magnesium and forty times more than iron! Everyone is aware of the importance of these two active ingredients, but the element sulphur is still often neglected. The degree of purity should of course be high so that no side effects occur.
Sulphur - but why is MSM powder not toxic to us?
The organic sulphur compound is not related to sulphur dioxide emissions from traffic or the sulphurous acid used to preserve dried fruit, wine or vinegar. Organic sulphur is therefore not toxic to the human body.
Why do we need sulphur?
Organic sulphur is of great importance to our body. It is a component of many of the body's own substances, such as enzymes, hormones and certain amino acids. One example of this is the sulphur-containing tripeptide glutathione: It is formed in the liver, is an important enzyme cofactor, serves the body as a powerful antioxidant against cell damage and plays a central role in the detoxification of our body. Sulphur is also found in heparin (blood clotting inhibitor) and insulin (blood sugar lowering).
In addition to various metabolic processes, sulphur-containing amino acids also ensure healthy bones, cartilage, tendons and muscles, skin, hair, nails and strong connective tissue.
The bonds between two sulphur particles are called sulphur bridges. They are responsible for the spatial structure of all enzymes and proteins. Without these sulphur bridges, enzymes are also formed, but due to the deviating spatial structure, they are biologically inactive and cannot fulfil their actual function in the body.
How does a sulphur deficiency develop?
However, as sulphur-containing foods usually obtain this from the soil on which they grow, the possibility of absorbing it is becoming increasingly limited. A large proportion of this food in Germany still comes from conventional agriculture, where chemical fertilisers and pesticides are used, thus reducing the sulphur content in the soil. Transport and further processing can reduce the content even further, as sulphur is temperature-dependent.
This can result in a lack of organic sulphur despite a balanced diet and an additional supply via the intake of dietary supplements may be necessary.
How is a sulphur deficiency recognised?
If you suffer from the symptoms mentioned above, your doctor can detect a possible sulphur deficiency by means of a blood test. This involves measuring the sulphur content in your blood serum. As sulphur does not occur natively in the blood but is bound to proteins, cysteine (non-essential amino acid containing sulphur) or methionine (essential amino acid containing sulphur) is determined for this purpose. Other options include analysing urine samples or determining enzyme activity.
Which foods contain sulphur?
Natural sources of the element are usually found in foods with a high protein content: meat, eggs and dairy products.
However, there are also good plant sources, provided they are grown in healthy soil that contains sulphur: Nuts, seeds, pulses, onions, garlic and bar garlic. Here too, it is best to choose organically grown products.
What does MSM powder do in the body?
When the body is supplied with MSM, active enzymes and proteins can be formed that support our health through functioning metabolic processes. In the following sections, we will show you some specific examples of the many findings on the effects of capsules or powders containing the active ingredient methylsulfonylmethane as a dietary supplement. In general, the side effects associated with their use were considered to be minor.
Arthrosis - what effect does methylsulfonylmethane have here?
Pain in the joints is caused by inflammation that develops as a result of damaged cartilage caused by osteoarthritis. Various studies have shown that dietary supplements containing MSM powder in the right dosage can significantly inhibit the formation of pro-inflammatory messenger substances and cartilage-degrading enzymes. Research has shown that MSM sulphur in the form of powder or capsules can reduce pain in the joints within a short period of time and increase mobility without any significant side effects [1]. Capsules or powder with methyl sulfonyl methane can significantly reduce pain caused by osteoarthritis and thus lead to an improvement in the performance of activities of daily living [2].
Allergies - what effect does methyl sulfonyl methane have here?
Hay fever, animal hair allergy, food allergy - here the intake of MSM powder could achieve an interesting effect: In a study involving 50 test subjects and a daily dose of 2,600 mg MSM methylsulfonylmethane over a period of 30 days, the American research team from the GENESIS Centre for Integrative Medicine found that upper respiratory tract symptoms improved significantly after just one week. After the second week, their energy levels increased significantly. In the third week, the allergy symptoms of the lower respiratory tract also improved. The study concluded that taking dietary supplements containing MSM powder in the specified dosage can have a positive effect on the symptoms of seasonal allergies (e.g. respiratory symptoms caused by hay fever) [3].
Skin and hair - what effect does methylsulfonylmethane have here?
Our skin consists of the protein elastin, among other things, while hair and fingernails sometimes consist of the protein creatine. If the body does not have enough organic sulphur available, the skin loses elasticity and ages quickly. Nails become brittle and hair becomes brittle.
A clinical study showed that MSM powder effectively reduces the visible signs of skin ageing even at a low dose of 1,000 mg per day. A dosage of 3,000 mg per day was even more effective [4].
Sports-related muscle damage - what effect does methylsulfonylmethane have here?
In another study, researchers looked at the effect of MSM on sports-related muscle damage. It was shown that a 10-day supplementation of 10 mg MSM powder per kilogramme of body weight dissolved in water made it possible to reduce muscle damage through a positive effect on antioxidant capacity [5].
Another study was also able to determine the positive effect on muscle inflammation and pain, in which test subjects were given a daily dosage of 3,000 mg MSM powder in water over a period of one month. 000 mg MSM powder in capsules over a period of one month [6].
When should MSM be taken?
This dietary supplement in powder or capsule form should be taken in the morning and early evening or in the morning and at lunchtime. Due to a supposed stimulating effect, it is recommended not to take the active ingredient too late so as not to jeopardise a restful sleep.
The side effects are classified as very low, provided you do not exceed a daily dosage of 4,000 mg [7].
It should be taken with sufficient water.
When buying an MSM preparation, you should pay attention to the degree of purity, which should be high.
Here you will find a selection of other interesting articles
About vitamins against hair loss
About vitamins for beautiful skin
Sources:
[1] https://link.springer.com/article/10. 2165/00044011-200424060-00005
[2] https://www.oarsijournal.com/article/S1063-4584(05)00285-2/fulltext
[3] https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10. 1089/107555302317371451
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32083522/
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22525653/
[6] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1186/1550-2783-9-46
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