Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, is largely made up of the mineral sulfur. It exists in small amounts in some foods, but you would require supplementation for any medicinal benefit. The most common uses include treating osteoarthritis and relieving pain. It might have other therapeutic applications as well; all purported uses require more research, however, to make any definitive conclusions regarding its usefulness for these conditions.
Benefits for Osteoarthritis
The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center reports double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of MSM for osteoarthritis found it effective for relieving symptoms of this condition. Drugs.com notes one study found using MSM along with glucosamine -- another common treatment for osteoarthritis -- resulted in greater symptom improvement than either of these treatments on their own. Subjects took 500 mg of each three times a day.
Other Purported Benefits
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports one small study found 2,600 mg of MSM daily reduced symptoms of seasonal allergies. Drugs.com notes an animal study where rats induced with colon cancer experienced a delay in tumor formation when treated with MSM compared to a placebo. A similar study with breast cancer found a small percentage of the rats experienced a delay in the onset of a tumor. The BIDMC notes some poorly designed studies claiming MSM benefits hair and nail growth, reduces snoring and aids in sports injury recovery.
Adverse Effects
Because MSM naturally occurs in food, it is a generally safe supplement. The University of Michigan Health System notes a lack of significant adverse effects reported in studies. It notes anecdotal reports of MSM use indicate about 20 percent of people might suffer side effects like diarrhea, skin rash, headache and fatigue. Animal studies administering up to 250 times the normal human dose with no reported adverse effects suggest MSM is nontoxic.
Other Considerations for Use
No contraindications -- instances where you should not use MSM -- or medication interactions have been reported, but you should always clear the use of supplements with your physician if you have any health problems or take prescription drugs. Whether or not you can safely use MSM while pregnant or breastfeeding has not been firmly established. If you have liver or kidney disease, always talk to your doctor before taking any supplement, as these organs have a particular sensitivity to what you put in your body -- particularly when operating in a diseased state.
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