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Can a consistent MSM routine help reduce arthritis symptoms?
Mel Curtis /Digital Vision /Getty ImagesAs we age, many of us face the inevitable challenges of joint pain and reduced mobility. If you're seeking ways to combat these issues, you might have come across a supplement called MSM, recommended by friends or even advertisements.
While the acronym MSM can refer to various things, it often points to a compound known as methylsulfonylmethane. This substance is claimed by Dr. Thomas Herschler, who holds several patents on MSM products, to address ailments like joint pain, nausea, arthritis, asthma, snoring, and even hair loss. However, the lack of extensive clinical trials means these benefits remain uncertain [source: Lang].
Despite the uncertainties, the nutritional-supplement industry has embraced MSM. Some manufacturers aim to position it as a daily preventive supplement for long-term health maintenance [source: Brighter Tomorrow]. However, experts caution that the safety of using MSM beyond 12 weeks remains unverified [source: Mayo Clinic]. Like any medication, even natural supplements carry potential risks, including side effects and interactions with other drugs. Always seek medical advice before starting any new supplement.
This article explores MSM in detail, covering its known and unknown aspects, potential advantages and risks, and its significance in hair and tissue development.
MSM Benefits
Sulfur plays a crucial role in maintaining and strengthening joint tissues, particularly cartilage. As MSM is rich in sulfur, it may offer benefits for joint-related issues like sports injuries, osteoarthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, MSM has been linked to reducing inflammation [source: MSM Guide].
Individuals with joint injuries or early osteoarthritis often turn to supplements like glucosamine sulfate or chondroitin to prevent further damage [source: Shiel]. While its effectiveness remains unproven, MSM could also be used similarly—either as an oral supplement or as a topical gel applied to the affected area [sources: Mayo Clinic, MSM Guide].
It’s crucial to understand that MSM is not a solution for immediate pain relief. While both patients and healthcare professionals hope MSM enhances the body’s natural repair mechanisms, it’s not suitable for acute injuries like a sprained ankle—ibuprofen would be a more appropriate choice in such cases.
Some evidence suggests MSM might aid in managing respiratory issues like asthma, seasonal allergies, and snoring. However, scientific validation is limited, and further research is necessary to confirm its medical efficacy and identify specific benefits [sources: Lang, Mayo Clinic].
One medical expert points out that while sulfur is an essential mineral for the body, obtaining it through MSM supplements may not be ideal. Sulfur is naturally derived from protein-rich foods such as meat, dairy, legumes, eggs, and nuts, meaning a balanced diet might already provide sufficient amounts [source: Lang].
The supplement industry promotes MSM as a remedy for muscle growth and hair regeneration. We’ll delve deeper into these assertions in the following sections.
Despite the lack of conclusive evidence supporting MSM’s benefits, some may still consider taking it on the off chance it works. But is MSM entirely safe? Continue reading to find out.
Osteoarthritis, a prevalent age-related condition, arises from factors like trauma and genetics, leading to the deterioration of joint cartilage. This causes bones to grind against each other, resulting in pain and reduced mobility, which can further impact overall health. While supplements like MSM are often considered for arthritis prevention, lifestyle changes such as weight loss and light exercise are equally crucial, especially since obesity and diabetes are major contributors to osteoarthritis [source: Shiel].
MSM Side Effects
Among nutritional supplements, MSM is considered relatively safe, with no evidence of toxicity or harmful accumulation [source: MSM Guide]. Excessive intake may cause mild side effects like diarrhea, nausea, or headaches [source: Mayo Clinic]. However, the quality and manufacturing process of MSM products can influence potential adverse reactions.
Sulfur, responsible for the foul odor of rotten eggs, can sometimes cause unpleasant side effects in sulfur-based supplements. While MSM generally avoids this issue, it’s important to ensure your supplement doesn’t include other sulfur compounds that might cause such effects [source: The Arthritis and Glucosamine Information Center].
MSM is naturally present in foods like pine nuts and milk, raising concerns for individuals with specific food allergies. However, unlike supplements such as glucosamine, MSM is synthetically produced, making it safe for most people with food allergies [source: MSM Guide].
However, this doesn’t guarantee complete safety regarding allergies. MSM products vary by manufacturer, often combined with different additives. It’s essential to review the ingredient list for potential allergens or substances that may conflict with your current medications before using MSM.
More critically, the quality of synthetic MSM can vary significantly. Lower-grade supplements may contain traces of heavy metals like lead and mercury, which can accumulate in your body and cause toxicity. Additionally, MSM produced in facilities handling other synthetic chemicals might be contaminated with substances such as benzene or pesticides [source: Bergstrom Nutrition].
To avoid these risks, opt for MSM purified through distillation rather than crystallization. The latter process can allow toxic elements to concentrate, while distilled MSM should closely resemble its natural form [source: MSM Guide].
If you’re considering MSM for non-toxic purposes, such as promoting hair growth or muscle development, keep reading.
While sulfur itself isn’t an allergen—it’s an element, not a protein—many people react to sulfur compounds. If you’ve had adverse reactions to sulfonamides or sulfites, you might still tolerate MSM due to its different chemical structure. However, consult your doctor first, as severe allergic reactions can be life-threatening and require immediate medical intervention.
MSM and Hair Growth
MSM is often marketed for its potential to aid tissue repair, including promoting hair and nail growth. Since hair and nails are composed of dead skin cells, increased cell production could theoretically enhance their growth. Some medical professionals also suggest that MSM supports collagen production, a protein vital for maintaining healthy skin and hair [sources: Josephs].
Collagen plays a critical role in the body, being one of the most abundant proteins. It fortifies skin, tendons, organs, teeth, and bones. A lack of collagen can lead to scurvy-like symptoms, where even minor injuries struggle to heal [source: Goodsell]. Additionally, dietary sulfur appears to influence collagen production, at least in animal studies [source: Brown].
However, no peer-reviewed studies have definitively proven that MSM supplements boost hair growth. While sulfur is a component of keratin, the primary protein in hair, a balanced diet typically supplies sufficient sulfur for normal hair growth [source: Nix].
The demand for effective over-the-counter hair loss solutions is immense. Many seek ways to combat hair loss caused by conditions like alopecia, menopause, stress, or genetics. Even certain medications, such as those used in cancer treatment, can result in hair thinning or loss.
Unfortunately, this has led to unethical marketers promoting various pills as miracle solutions for hair growth. The American Hair Loss Association states that 99 percent of hair loss treatments are ineffective, and currently, MSM is included in that category.
On the following page, we’ll explore how MSM might contribute to the repair of other tissues in the body.
Certain types of hair loss, such as those caused by menopause or hormonal changes, can be addressed with hormone therapy. Medications like minoxidil are also effective. Surgical options, including hair transplants, carry risks similar to other transplant procedures. Alternatively, hairpieces and wigs offer non-invasive solutions, though some attachments may ironically lead to further hair loss [source: AHLA].
MSM and Tissue Repair
During weightlifting, small tears form in the skeletal muscles being exercised. The body repairs these tears and strengthens the affected areas, leading to increased muscle mass over time—this is the process behind muscle growth.
Tissue repair is an ongoing bodily process that becomes less efficient with age. Collagen loses its elasticity [source: The Orthopaedic Research Institute], skin sags, joints stiffen, and injuries take longer to heal—factors that contribute to conditions like arthritis, especially after repeated trauma.
Given sulfur and collagen’s roles in tissue repair, MSM is believed to aid in rebuilding muscles and joint tissue [source: MSM Guide]. Some experts suggest combining it with supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin to reduce tissue damage linked to arthritis [source: The Arthritis and Glucosamine Information Center].
Does higher sulfur intake accelerate tissue repair? The answer remains unclear. While insufficient dietary sulfur hinders repair [source: Brown], it doesn’t necessarily mean that sulfur supplements enhance the process. The body’s mechanisms are more complex than that.
In summary, MSM is likely safe to take, provided you’re mindful of potential allergies and contamination issues. Always review ingredient lists and consult your doctor. While MSM probably won’t harm you, its benefits might be placebo-driven, as more research is needed to confirm its efficacy.
If you opt against MSM supplements, focus on foundational methods for tissue repair. Stay hydrated, consume whole foods (a protein-rich diet typically supplies enough sulfur), and prioritize sleep—rest is when the body performs most of its repair work. Interestingly, muscles grow on rest days after weight training [source: WebMD]. If sleep is lacking, consider exercise, which builds muscle, strengthens immunity, and improves rest quality. Exercise is a cost-effective, natural remedy that outperforms most bottled solutions.
