What is MSM?

MSM or its full name, Methyl Sulfonyl Methane is a powder, supplement source of Organic Sulphur.  MSM is a pain relief and general wellness supplement which is easily absorbed by the body.  MSM is neither a drug nor a medicine. 

Foods such as fruit and vegetables do have sulphur present in them, especially eggs, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, beef, chicken, fish, onions, garlic, leeks, shallots and chives.  As a lot of people’s diets now contain a lot of processed foods and the quality of produce consumed is decreasing many people are becoming deficient in supplying their body the sulphur it requires.

Sulphur is the 4th most abundant mineral in our body.  Almost half of the sulphur found in your body is in your muscles, skin and bone.  Sulphur bonds are required to maintain proteins structure and flexibility such as keratin in hair and nails.  Sulphur bonds are also within connective tissue and cartilage.  As we age the presence of sulphur supplies in our cells declines.  This in turn reduces the flexibility in muscles and joints leading to stiffness and painful joints.  Within skin, the weakened sulphur bonds can leading to sagging and wrinkles.

Other functions of sulphur include aiding the energy centres within your cells, vitamin B thiamine (B1) conversion, which is used in converting carbohydrates to energy, aiding the functioning of insulin in the body and detoxification. 

It is important to look for an MSM Powder which is pure and contains no fillers or anti caking agents.  At a minimum, it should be ‘food grade’, however pharmaceutical grade is the best you can get.

There are two forms of MSM crystals/powder.  Regular MSM is synthesised under a ‘spun’ process.  Distilled MSM is considered the premium and most pure form, which is produced under a distillation process whereby the vapour is collected.

There is a lot of information on the internet about MSM from America being superior to MSM sourced from China.  This is not true.  Most of the world’s supply of MSM comes from China.  In fact a large portion of MSM that is labelled as “Made is USA” is produced in China or India and simply repackaged in the US.   There are differing qualities of MSM within China however, so the main thing to ask is if it is pure MSM and if it has been supplied with a Certificate of Analysis to prove there are no additives.

You may also be interested in the article – MSM Benefits, not just for pain relief