Sulfur (MSM)
A Basic Essential Nutrient Needed Now, More than Ever Before
Conditions That Have Reportedly Responded to MSM Supplements
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Acne
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Allergies
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Arthritis
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Asthma
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Candida
Yeast Infections
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Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome
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Chronic
Fatigue
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Constipation
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Diabetes
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Digestive
Disorders
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Fragile
Hair & Nails
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Migraine
Headaches
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Muscle
Pain & Cramps
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Parasites
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Skin
Damage & Aging
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Toxic
Build-up
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Ulcers
A body made up of healthy, flexible cells will not only feel better, it will look better too. The body is continuously at work replacing old, worn out cells with new ones. The process goes on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without stop. When all the raw materials needed for cell-building are available, it is a very efficient process. When there are deficiencies, the new cells may be weak, rigid or deformed.
One of the most important raw materials for building healthy new cells is a form of organic sulfur known as methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM). This element is so essential to life that it is found in every cell of every plant and every animal. Sulfur makes up 0.25% of human body weight. However neither plants nor animals can use elemental sulfur directly. Sulfur is not easily available to living organisms in its inorganic form.
MSM is not a medicine, a drug, or a food additive. It is a food. MSM is an organic form of sulfur that can be easily absorbed and utilized by the body. Although DMSO and MSM are chemically similar, each is unique. MSM is a pure, stable, white crystalline powder without the unpleasant smell or taste of DMSO. (1-3) Also, MSM does not give you a strong body odor like DMSO.
Since sulfur is a component of all cells, it is essential that the body have a plentiful supply of this mineral in its usable form. There is a positive synergistic effect on building healthier cells when MSM is taken in combination with vitamin C. The new cells are more pliable and permeable, allowing fluids to pass through the tissue more easily. (1) Internally this means more efficient elimination of toxins, a reduction in inflammation and pain so you feel better. On the outside it shows up as a softer, smoother complexion, stronger hair and nails - so you look better.
MSM for Relief of Pain and Inflammation
Approximately half of the total body sulfur is concentrated in the muscles, skin and bones. One of the most significant uses of MSM as a supplement is its demonstrated ability to relieve pain and inflammation. When rigid fibrous tissue cells swell and become inflamed, pressure and pain result. Since MSM can restore flexibility and permeability to restore flexibility and permeability to cell walls, fluids pass through the tissues more easily which helps to equalize pressure and reduce or eliminate the cause of pain. Harmful substances such as lactic acid and toxins are allowed to flow out while nutrients are permitted to flow in. This prevents the pressure buildup in cells that causes inflammation. (1)
MSM has shown a remarkable ability to reduce or eliminate muscle soreness and cramps both in geriatric patients and in athletes. It's even given to race horses before a race to prevent muscle soreness and afterward to reduce the risk of cramping. People with arthritis report substantial and long-lasting relief with MSM supplements. Taken along with glucosamine, a key substance in the process of rebuilding cartilage, MSM can relieve pain and help repair worn or damaged cartilage in joints, ligaments and tendons with healthy, flexible new cells. (1)
How Does MSM Work?
MSM makes cell walls permeable, allowing water and nutrients to freely flow into cells and allowing wastes and toxins to properly flow out. The body uses MSM along with Vitamin C to create new, healthy cells, and MSM provides the flexible bond between the cells. Without proper levels of MSM, our bodies are unable to build good healthy cells, and this leads to problems such as lost flexibility, scar tissue, wrinkles, varicose veins, hardened arteries, damaged lung tissues, dry cracking skin, digestive disorders, joint problems, and inability to defend against allergic reactions to food, animals and plants.
MSM is an anti-oxidant that helps to clean the blood stream and flush toxins trapped in our cells. It is also a foreign protein and free radical scavenger. In order to maintain good health, we need to supplement our diets with MSM, to enable the body to heal itself. The body uses what it needs, and after 12 hours will flush out any excess amounts.
The Beauty Mineral for Hair, Skin and Nails
Sulfur has been called nature's "beauty, mineral" because it is needed to keep the hair glossy and smooth and keeps the complexion clear and youthful. It is needed for synthesis of collagen and is prevalent in keratin, a tough protein substance necessary for health and maintenance of the skin, nails and hair. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) MSM is licensed under nine U.S. patents and various foreign patents for both nutritional and cosmetic use. (2)
MSM is responsible for the flexible disulfide bonds between cells, including those that make up the skin. It blocks undesirable chemical and physical cross-linking or bonding of collagen which is associated with tough, aging skin. Con consequently MSM enhances tissue pliability and encourages repair f damaged skin. If there is insufficient sulfur in the body when new cells are being manufactured, the new cells will be rigid. This rigidity can contribute to cracking, wrinkling and unsightly scar tissue. When sufficient sulfur is present for new cells, the skin is softer, smoother and more flexible. (1) MSM provides that sulfur.
Acne, including the severe acne rosacea, responds favorably to MSM supplements. Adequate sulfur and vitamin C are also needed for healing. When the body is deficient in these nutrients, the new tissue will be elevated leaving an unattractive, raised scar. Because MSM makes the skin more permeable and pliant, it can also help prevent blistering and promote faster healing from sunburn or wind damage. (1)
With MSM supplements, nails show not only an increase in growth rate, but also increased toughness and resistance to chipping and cracking. This effect has been seen both in human nails and horses hoofs. (2)
Allergens, Toxins and Parasites
Flexible, permeable cells are also important in that they allow toxins, allergens and foreign substances to be flushed out of the body more easily . When skin cells are soft and permeable, many toxins can be eliminated through the sweat glands, which takes some of the load off the liver and kidneys. While MSM is not a cure for allergies, supplementation may reduce symptoms by allowing allergens to be removed from the body more quickly. Even reactions to insect bites, poison ivy and poison oak are less severe when the diet is supplemented with MSM. Vitamin C is also synergistic in this application in that it can lower histamine levels. (1)
MSM has also shown amazing anti-parasitic action against Giardia, Trichomonas, roundworms, nematodes, Enterobius and other intestinal worms. When parasites attach themselves to the intestinal lining, they can live, reproduce and rob the body of nutrients indefinitely. MSM blocks parasites by competing for receptor sites on the mucous membrane. When parasites can not attach themselves, they are simply flushed out of the system. (1)
The same is true with food allergens. MSM coats mucosal surfaces and occupies the binding sites that could otherwise be used by challenging food allergens. It can also bind with offending agents to produce harmless substances which are then excreted from the body. This facilitates normal digestion and assimilation and allows the body to get maximum nutritional value from foods that would otherwise cause a reaction. Individuals who experience an allergic response to certain foods have reported improved or complete tolerance to those foods when they take MSM supplements. Healthy flexible colon tissues along with improved digestion, can also relieve constipation. (1)
Diabetes
Sulfur is also a component of insulin, the hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism and insufficient sulfur may result in decreased insulin production. It is also possible that a lack of bio-available sulfur would make the cells so rigid and impermeable that they become unable to absorb sugar from the blood efficiently, leaving blood sugar levels elevated. Studies indicate that regular MSM supplements which cause the cell to become permeable, could help balance blood sugar and allow the overworked pancreas to return to normal. (1)
Why Supplement?
Since sulfur is present in every cell of every living thing, it might seem that we would get plenty of this essential mineral from dietary sources and should not need supplements, but that may not be the case. Meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products are the main sources of dietary sulfur, but we have been advised to restrict or remove many of those foods from our diets. Vegetarians, especially those who do not eat eggs, are at particular risk for sulfur deficiency. Plants cells contain sulfur but not in abundant quantities and much of the MSM present in unprocessed foods is lost in washing, cooking or steaming. And, of course, MSM levels decline noticeably with age - doesn't everything? So, the older you get, the more important it becomes to maintain adequate sulfur levels in the body.
Usage and Toxicity
Due to its positive effects, particularly in maintaining healthy cell formation, 2,000 to 6,000 mg. of supplemental MSM daily is recommended. Of course, the optimum daily dosage of MSM depends largely on body size, age and the nature and severity of any deficiency symptoms you may be experiencing. Since vitamin C provides a positive synergistic it should be taken along with MSM. (1)
MSM ranks in the "extremely low" toxicity category with a toxicity profile similar to that of water. When oral supplements are taken, the body will distribute MSM where it is needed. After about 12 hours, any excess amounts will be flushed out of the body. (1) (2) (3) MSM, a member of the sulfur family, should never be confused with sulfa drugs to which some people are allergic.
References:
1.
Mindell, Earl L., The
MSM Miracle - Enhance your health with organic sulfur, Keats Good Health
Guide, Keats Publishing, Inc., New Canaan, CT, 1997.
2.
Herschler, R. J.,
"Methylsulfonylmethane in Cosmetics", 1984, Cardinal Associates, Inc.
3.
Whitaker, J., "Try
MSM for Relief from Muscular Pain", Health and Healing, Oct. 1997.
4.
Kirschmann, J. D. and
Dunne, L. J., Nutrition Almanac, Second Edition, McGraw-Hill, 1984.
5.
Balch, J. F. and Balch
P.A., Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Avery Publishing, Garden
City Park, NY, 1990.
8. MSM (methyl sulfonyl methane)
A sulfur containing molecule related to DMSO, that is believed to have
tremendous detoxifying properties, works synergistically with vitamin C,
increases the utilization of beneficial phytochemicals found in medicinal herbs,
such as those in Ezzeac plus Cat’s Claw and medicinal mushrooms, such as those
in VPS (Coriolus versicolor). MSM has the unique characteristic of making our
cells more permeable, allowing easier release of toxins and easier absorption
of nutrients. Many are finding MSM in combination with cat's claw, to be
helpful in alleviating symptoms associated with environmental toxins, various
pathogens and inflammatory conditions such as: allergies, IBS, CFS, MS,
parasites, arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc. Therapeutic amounts of MSM generally
range from 3-6 grams in divided doses daily; however, even higher doses have
been used successfully without producing any side effects.
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Nothing stated here should be considered as medical advice for dealing with a given problem. You should consult your health care professional for individual guidance for specific health problems. This page on MSM is simply a collection of information in the public domain, and presented strictly for informational and educational use only. No claims whatsoever can be made as to the specific benefits accruing from the use of MSM. Anyone with knowledge of additional information on MSM is highly encouraged to e-mail that information so that it can be shared with others who may be interested.
CLICK
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The Miracle of MSM:
The Natural Solution for Pain
by Stanley W. Jacob, Ronald Melvin Lawrence, Martin Zucker, William Regelson
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Enrich's
"MSM Complex"
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Updated: February 21, 1999