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You are here: Home / Joints / MSM for Joint Health

MSM for Joint Health

February 10, 2024 By Valentino Muža 1 Comment Last Updated: April 3, 2024

Organic sulfur compound MSM may reduce pain and swelling associated with joint disorders.

Methylsulfonylmethane. By Jynto [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a natural compound used as a dietary supplement. It is believed to aid joint health by:

  • Improving joint disorder symptoms. MSM is frequently used to manage the symptoms of joint conditions such as osteoarthritis.
  • Minimizing joint damage. Through its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, MSM may help keep joints healthy.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Overview
  • How MSM May Help With Joint Health
    • Providing sulfur
    • Antioxidant activity
    • Anti-inflammatory activity
  • MSM Benefits & Uses for Joint Health
  • Research
    • Animal Research
    • Human Research
  • Dosage for Joint Health
  • Supplements in Review Says

Overview

Methylsulfonylmethane, most commonly referred to as MSM, is a colorless organic compound that carries sulfate. Its precursor is produced by oceanic plankton and then released into the atmosphere where it converts into MSM after reacting with ozone and sunlight. MSM is also naturally present in some plants, fruits, and animals, as well as in human cells.

Although chemically inactive, MSM is considered a (low-use) essential mineral that has been associated with various health benefits. Several of its uses include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, easing allergies, fortifying collagen, and aiding hemorrhoid recovery.

MSM is also believed to help joint conditions such as osteoarthritis, although more research is required to say anything conclusive. It is often found among different joint supplements.

The precursor of MSM is first formed and released by oceanic plankton. By Prof. Gordon T. Taylor, Stony Brook University (corp2365, NOAA Corps Collection) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

How MSM May Help With Joint Health

While the precise mechanisms behind MSM’s joint health benefits are not yet fully understood, research suggests several possibilities:

Providing sulfur

MSM is known to carry a considerable amount of sulfur, which is an important component of connective tissue in joints. In addition, sulfur deficiencies have been linked to joint complications.1

Antioxidant activity

MSM may be capable of reducing oxidative stress by blocking nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E(2) from damaging cells and causing joint pain and irritation.2

Further Reading: Is MSM Good for The Brain?

Anti-inflammatory activity

MSM was found to significantly inhibit the release of inflammatory markers, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), which can contribute to joint swelling and stiffness.3

MSM is often combined with other joint-supporting supplements. MSM has been used in supplemental stacks in conjunction with either glucosamine, boswellic acids, or chondroitin in order to improve joint health.4
Chemical pathway of MSM. By NEUROtiker (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

MSM Benefits & Uses for Joint Health

MSM is a popular supplement for supporting joint health. Specifically, MSM may be capable of:

  • Improving joint disorders. As is the case with most joint medications, MSM seems to diminish arthritic symptoms, including stiffness, swelling, pain, and cartilage deterioration, particularly in osteoarthritis and gonarthrosis.
  • Limiting joint wear and tear. MSM seems to impart a protective effect on joints by combatting oxidative stress and inflammation.
MSM may support joints by protecting muscles and improving stamina. One study identified that MSM was able to reduce muscle soreness and fatigue, which is critical for the support of joints and the minimization of the risk of injury.5

Research

Animal Research

Animal studies report that MSM may:

  • Reduce cartilage breakdown. Taking MSM for 13 weeks was found to decrease the degeneration of cartilage at the joint surface of mice knee joints.6

Human Research

Clinical studies have shown that MSM may improve both joint function and symptoms of joint conditions, including pain, swelling, and stiffness.

MSM (6 g) may reduce pain and improve function in people with knee osteoarthritis

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation, 50 adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA) were given placebo or 3 grams of MSM twice a day for 12 weeks. MSM treatment led to significant drops in pain and function impairment and also improved performance of daily activities on the SF-36 (overall health-related quality of life) evaluation compared to the placebo.

  • The study concluded that “MSM (3 g twice a day) improved symptoms of pain and physical function during the short intervention without major adverse events.”7

LIGNISULmsm (2250 mg) may improve perceived pain in degenerative arthritis patients

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 16 degenerative arthritis patients took placebo or a total of 2250 mg of MSM in the form of LIGNISULmsm® every day for a 4-month period. The MSM group showed a 60% improvement in pain at 4 weeks and an 82% improvement in pain after 6 weeks compared to the 20% and 18% for the placebo group.

  • The study concluded that “LIGNISULmsm may offer a significant new nutritional substance for the control of arthritic pain as a safe, non-toxic method.”8

MSM (1500 mg) may reduce pain and swelling and improve joint function in osteoarthritis

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation, 188 patients with osteoarthritis received placebo, 500 mg of glucosamine, 500 mg MSM, or a combination of both 3 times a day for 12 weeks. Compared to the placebo, glucosamine, MSM, and the combination treatment improved signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis significantly more. MSM reduced the mean pain index from 1.53 ± 0.51 to 0.74 ± 0.65, and combination treatment reduced it from 1.7 ± 0.47 to 0.36 ± 0.33.

  • The study concluded that “Glu, MSM and their combination produced an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect in osteoarthritis. Combination therapy showed better efficacy in reducing pain and swelling and in improving the functional ability of joints than the individual agents. It can be concluded that the combination of MSM with Glu provides better and more rapid improvement in patients with osteoarthritis.”9

MSM (5 g) and boswellic acids (7.2 g) may decrease the need for anti-inflammatory medication for knee arthritis

In this prospective randomized, placebo-controlled investigation, 60 adults with knee arthritis were given either a placebo or 5 grams of MSM and 7.2 grams of boswellic acids (BA) daily for 60 days. Patients were found to have a significantly decreased need for anti-inflammatory drugs in the MSM group (0.2 tablets per day) compared to that of the placebo (0.6 tablets per day).

  • The study concluded that “although the combined administration of MSM and BA in the treatment of gonarthrosis was not shown to be more efficacious than placebo in the management of the clinical and functional picture, it significantly reduced patients need for anti-inflammatory drugs.”10

Dosage for Joint Health

  • Research studies use anywhere from 1 – 6 grams of MSM per day
  • Typical supplemental capsules range from 250 – 500 mg, taken 2 – 3 times a day on an empty stomach
MSM is safe to use. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), MSM is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) as a supplement.

Supplements in Review Says

  • MSM 2000 – 3000 mg daily for joint health.

We recommend MSM as a moderate reliever of joint disorder symptoms.  MSM seems to be particularly useful for osteoarthritis where it helps reduce swelling, stiffness, and pain through an anti-inflammatory effect. Overall, it may have similar benefits to those of glucosamine and chondroitin, albeit with less research evidence.

Research suggests higher doses than those used by supplements.  We recommend sticking to a total of 2000 – 3000 mg of MSM daily, based on the average safe doses reported in current research.

Further Reading: Is MSM and Turmeric a Healthy Combination?

Show 10 footnotes

  1. Cordoba F, Nimni ME. Chondroitin sulfate and other sulfate containing chondroprotective agents may exhibit their effects by overcoming a deficiency of sulfur amino acids. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2003 Mar;11(3):228-30. ↩
  2. Barmaki S, Bohlooli S, et al. Effect of methylsulfonylmethane supplementation on exercise – Induced muscle damage and total antioxidant capacity. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2012 Apr;52(2):170-4. ↩
  3. Kim YH, Kim DH, et al. The anti-inflammatory effects of methylsulfonylmethane on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in murine macrophages. Biol Pharm Bull. 2009 Apr;32(4):651-6. ↩
  4. Notarnicola A, Maccagnano G, et al. Methylsulfonylmethane and boswellic acids versus glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of knee arthritis: Randomized trial. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2016 Mar;29(1):140-6. ↩
  5. Kalman DS, Feldman S, et al. Influence of methylsulfonylmethane on markers of exercise recovery and performance in healthy men: a pilot study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2012 Sep 27;9(1):46. ↩
  6. Ezaki J, Hashimoto M, et al. Assessment of safety and efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane on bone and knee joints in osteoarthritis animal model. J Bone Miner Metab. 2013 Jan;31(1):16-25. ↩
  7. Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, et al. Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2006;14:286-94. ↩
  8. Lawrence RM. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): a double-blind study of its use in degenerative arthritis. Int J of Anti-Aging Med. 1998;1:50. ↩
  9. Usha PR, Naidu MU. Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis. Clin Drug Investig. 2004;24(6):353-63. ↩
  10. Notarnicola A, Tafuri S, et al. The “MESACA” study: methylsulfonylmethane and boswellic acids in the treatment of gonarthrosis. Adv Ther. 2011 Oct;28(10):894-906. ↩

Filed Under: Joints

Comments

  1. Jean-Marc Perreault says

    April 28, 2021 at 7:58 pm

    Hello where (in wich stores) can I buy MSM sulfur tablets in Québec?

    Tahnk you very much.

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