The Essential Facts About MSM Supplements

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) has now become a popular nutritional supplement that is often promoted for a variety of health conditions including inflammation, arthritis, allergies, and for the enhanced production of keratin levels in skin, hair, and nails. Until recently, MSM supplements had not been studied; however, many reports have now revealed the beneficial effects of MSM supplements, particularly with arthritis and seasonal allergies. As with all nutritional supplements it is highly recommended that you speak with your healthcare professional before taking MSM supplements.

Benefits of MSM Supplements
< MSM can be found in small amounts within the blood stream of everyone, it can also be found in many foods. It is still unknown the role that MSM plays within the complex chemistry of the human body, like other key sulfur compounds, it is a required component for proteins, especially those can be found in the muscles, hair, and connective tissue of the skin and joints. Sulfur is also located in bile acid and insulin hormones. MSM supplements taken orally are able to cross over the blood brain barrier.

MSM is a very promising nutrient for the treatment of arthritis, allergies, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Recent studies have found that a combination of MSM and glucosamine can be very beneficial in the treatment of arthritis. However, more research is still required before an official determination of what the full benefits of MSM supplements are with long-term use. MSM is an important source of dietary sulfur, an important nutrient that plays a critical part in maintaining the elasticity and integrity of connective and other tissues found in the body.

Side Effects of MSM Supplements
< There have been clinical studies that have reported MSM side effects, though these side effects were just as common among people who took a placebo (a "sugar pill"). The side effects included: nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, bloating, headache, and insomnia. Some of the allergic reactions that were reported include: rashes and hives, wheezing, itching, swelling of the mouth or throat, and difficulty with breathing.

If you are currently experiencing any of these allergic reactions after taking MSM, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Though side effects of MSM have been reported, it is possible that you may not experience any side effects with MSM supplements. However, there is no way for your healthcare professional to know beforehand if you will experience side effects from a nutritional supplement that you've never tried. Therefore, it is important that you let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects while taking MSM supplements.

Recommended Dosage of MSM Supplements
Most studies that used MSM supplements for arthritis did use a dosage that ranged from 500 mg taken three times a day, up to 2000 mg taken twice daily. For allergies, the typical dosage of MSM was 2600 mg each day. However, the best recommended dosage of MSM has not been defined for any use. Therefore, it is best to follow the directions on the label of the MSM product. Additionally, you should not exceed these recommendations unless your healthcare provider advises you to.

Also, because the manufacturing of dietary supplements like MSM is not regulated, it is recommended that you choose a reputable manufacturer. Always look for the "USP" symbol on the packaging, since it does means that the supplement has been tested and does contain quality ingredients in the right amounts.

Even though medical studies are still being conducted to determine what the full benefits of MSM supplements are with long-term use. There is no doubt that MSM will definitely continue to gain attention as a beneficial way to treat a variety of health conditions.