About MSM
MSM or Methylsulfonylmethane is a naturally occurring sulfur compound in our body. It can also be found in some foods but is lost during the processing. It is made up of sulfur, which is the third largest substance in the body next to sodium and water. A regulated level of MSM in our body can help us to be healthy and stay active. A higher level of MSM is believed to be helpful in treating many kinds of ailments.
MSM has been renowned for its ability to treat arthritis. But, it should always be noted by anyone with arthritis who wants to take it, that like the other treatments for arthritis, it cannot cure the disease. MSM can only control the symptoms of arthritis such as the pain and not cure the cause of the disease.
It can also control the pain caused by the following conditions:
*Osteoarthritis
*Gout
*Rheumatoid arthritis
*Fibromyalgia
MSM can also be a treatment to people who are having problems with constipation, allergies like SAD and snoring. People with arthritis should not rely on MSM that much because it cannot preserve the cartilages and stop the damage of the cartilages of the people with arthritis. It can only reduce the pain that arthritis causes as long as the person affected is taking it.
MSM is found in the human body and in fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, milk, and fish. But when these foods are already processed, in some cases when it is washed with water, the MSM content of these foods disappears.
MSM is natural. But, those that you can purchase in the market as dietary supplements are made from DMSO or dimethyl sulfide. DMSO is a chemical compound that you can find in medical and industrial grades. It has been hyped as a treatment for arthritis in the 1960s but the potent side effects and other possible risks that come with it have made it lose its popularity in treating arthritis.
Studies have been done to prove the benefits that MSM can give to people with arthritis and animals with arthritis. In a study that involves mice, MSM has been effective in treating the symptoms of arthritis that is seen in mice. The studies that prove that MSM is effective in treating arthritis in people are still a few and so more proofs are needed.
MSM is sold in tablets, solutions and capsules. You may also find it as topical medications in forms of cream. It can be taken with other dietary supplements for arthritis such as chondroitin, glucosamine and Vitamin C.
Before you take MSM, you should first consult your doctor to know the dos and don’ts about it. It may interact with other drugs and it may cause side effects when not taken in the right way, so consulting your doctor about it can prevent you from getting harmed.
