MSM is the short name for a dietary supplement known as Methylsulfonylmethane. MSM is generally thought of as a product additive for arthritis related joint discomfort due to joint pain, but it historically has had many other uses.
The key issue with MSM is what kind of effect it has on the body and why you would take it. Unlike Glucosamine, you already get some MSM from your diet. Strictly speaking, MSM is the biologically available (organic) form of sulfur. Sulfur is one of the major components of food and one of the most prevalent materials in the body. Most likely due to its chemical similarity to sulfur, MSM has shown to be effective at relieving inflammation and some would argue that MSM is far better than some of the other COX2 drugs or NSAIDS out there
The Role of Sulfur in Joint Pain
MSM is thought to deliver sulfur to the body in a useable way. Sulfur helps maintain the structure of connective tissue by forming cross-linkages through disulfide bonds, i.e., sulfur strengthens the tissues that make up the joint.
Sulfur is critical to good joint health. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are the fundamental building blocks of joint cartilage, and GAG molecules are linked together in chains by disulfide bonds. As the name implies, these bonds are between two sulfur atoms. The disulfide bridges reduce conformational flexibility of GAG chains, making cartilage firm and resilient. Cartilage integrity is thus a sulfur-dependent state. MSM contains a lot of sulfur – 34% by weight.
MSM for Sport Injuries
Every year, thousands of athletes suffer debilitating injuries or joint degeneration. Most sports injuries involve pain, redness, heat, and swelling: the four cardinal signs of inflammation. MSM supplementation can assist the healing process without the side effects typically associated with other products.
Treating an acute injury may be as simple as RICE. This acronym refers to rest, ice, compression, and elevation. For acute injuries, supplementation with MSM may also speed relief from inflammation and promote lasting healing.
After soft-tissue injuries, including the microtears in muscle that occur after typical strength training, connective tissue normally repairs itself. Sulfur is one of the key requirements for connective tissue integrity and repair. MSM provides a rich source of bioavailable sulfur to support connective tissue repair and regeneration.
Each powder is put into a HDPE container, Heat Sealed, and labeled with dosing based off 1/4 tsp. Some items may be hygroscopic and may clump during shipment. This does not effect the efficacy of the product, but just the texture.