MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)
Methylsulfonylmethane
Supplements. Modern nutrition.
Also called Dimethyl sulfone, Organic sulfur
Pinyin: jiǎ jī huáng xiān jiǎ wán
Spanish: MSM (metilsulfonilmetano)
Little long-term safety dataA sulfur compound sold as a supplement for joint pain and muscle soreness.
Did you know? MSM is a breakdown product of DMSO, a solvent used in labs and veterinary medicine.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Joint pain & arthritis. Small trials in knee osteoarthritis show modest pain relief for some people. Results are mixed and studies are short.Early proof
- Muscles & exercise. Small studies test MSM for muscle soreness after exercise. Evidence is weak, so the claim is unproven.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
MSM has no traditional herbal use. It became popular as a joint supplement in the 1990s.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Joint studies used about 1 to 3 grams a day, often split into doses. Many joint products combine MSM with glucosamine.
Powder, capsule and tablet.
Where to get it
MSM is found in small amounts in milk, fruits, vegetables, tea and coffee. Supplements are made by a chemical process and sold as powders and capsules.
Be careful
MSM is usually well tolerated, with occasional gas, bloating or headache at higher doses. Long-term safety and safety in pregnancy have not been well studied. Check with a doctor before using it if you have a health condition or take other medicines.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Often sold together in joint blends. The combined benefit is not well proven.
The honest take
MSM has small, short trials for joint pain, and results are mixed. Its claim for muscle soreness is weak. Long-term safety data are limited, so it is best used with a doctor's guidance.