Training & Nutrition - Msm

Anyone take MSM? Earl Mindell, author of the Vitamin Bible, recommends it for cyclists. It's supposed to help alleviate soreness in muscles and joints. I've been taking it for a few months and feel that I get a benefit from it, but I take a bunch of supplements and have a personality that's open to tricks...

What is MSM

What Is MSM?
Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, is a safe and natural assimilate derived from the Southern Louisiana Pine. MSM is organic sulfur--the kind your body can absorb and use. Sulfur is the fourth most plentiful mineral in the body. And, it is found in every cell of every animal and plant. Sulfur is found in food; it is most abundant in eggs and red peppers, but can also be found in significant quantities in grains, legumes, animal proteins, onions, garlic, asparagus, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and broccoli. HOWEVER, most of the volatile MSM is lost in washing, cooking, or steaming. Modern food processing, packaging and preparation has robbed our food of the sulfur we need.
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At the Oregon Health and Sciences University, Dr. Stanley Jacob discovered that heating dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), caused it to crystallize, isolating 99.9% of the beneficial compound MSM. MSM is a pure, natural, stable, white, odorless crystalline powder without the unpleasant taste or odor of DMSO. It does not produce intestinal gas or body odor that may occur with other forms of sulfur. MSM is not a drug or medicine, and is unrelated to sulfa drugs, to which some people have an allergy.

Why Buy Our MSM?
MSM relieves joint pain and swelling - without the stomach damage, rebound pain, and (yes, it's true) joint damage associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's), such as ibuprofen. But not all MSM is the same - only Lignisul™ brand MSM from Carolwood Corporation is guaranteed at least 99.7% pure as determined by gas chromatographic assay. EVERY batch produced by Carolwood has been tested! The first food-grade MSM made for human consumption; Lignisul™ remains the finest available. You're taking MSM to improve your health - don't take inferior MSM.

For What Is MSM Used?
MSM is used as a dietary supplement to provide our bodies with needed sulfur. The following discussion will focus on the role of sulfur in our health.

MSM AND ARTHRITIS
Arthritis is the inflammation of joints, characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling, and a restricted range of movement. All joints are similar in that they are comprised of two (or more) adjoining movable bones, whose adjacent surfaces are covered with a layer of cartilage, and are surrounded by a fluid-filled capsule encasing ligaments. More that 55 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and related conditions.
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One of the most significant applications of organic sulfur is its ability to alleviate pain associated with systemic inflammatory disorders, such as arthritis. People with arthritis report substantial and long-lasting relief while supplementing MSM in their diet in daily amounts ranging from 100 to 5,000mg. This is admittedly a very large range, but individual results vary dramatically. The beneficial effect is due in part to the ability of MSM to sustain cell flow-through, allowing harmful substances to flow out while permitting nutrients to flow in, thereby preventing pressure buildup in cells which causes inflammation in the joints and elsewhere, and translates to pain.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARTHRITIS and relieving arthritis pain, be sure to visit our arthritis page which reviews the amazing product, Cetyl Myristoleate (CM).
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This is the Product endorsed by James Coburn on Larry King Live. On Monday night, April 3, 2000, CNN's Larry King Live featured a discussion on MSM with actor James Coburn and his Doctor, Dr. Ronald Lawrence, author of the book "The Miracle of MSM: The Natural Solution for Pain". Coburn, badly crippled with rheumatoid arthritis and in a great deal of pain to the point where he could not walk in 1990, discussed how MSM has allowed him to be pain free for the past year. Dr. Lawrence noted that Coburn used Lignisul™ exclusively, which is the MSM we sell.

MSM AND MUSCLE SORENESS AND CRAMPS
The nerves which sense pain are mainly located in the soft tissue of our bodies such as the muscles. Many types of pain can be attributed to pressure differential involving the cells that make up tissue. When outside pressure drops, cells swell and become inflamed. Nerves register the inflammation and we experience pain symptoms. Often what's contributing to the pain is rigid fibrous tissue cells which lack flexibility and permeability. Use of MSM has been shown to restore flexibility to the protein layer of cell walls, allowing fluids to pass through the tissue more easily. This softens the tissue and helps to equalize pressure thereby reducing if not totally eliminating the cause of the pain. MSM, by equalizing cell pressure, treats the cause of inflammation, unlike an aspirin which treats the symptom by dulling our perception of pain.
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MSM has demonstrated the remarkable ability to reduce the incidence of or eliminate entirely muscle soreness, and leg and back cramps, particularly in geriatric patients who have such cramps during the night or after long periods of inactivity, and in athletes after periods of high physical stress.
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Marathon runners and other athletes who compete or exercise vigorously can learn from trainers of million-dollar racehorses. These trainers will administer MSM to their prize horses both before a race to prevent muscle soreness and afterward to lessen the risk of cramping. Post-athletic fatigue syndrome, which generally follows intense athletic activity and usually persists for eight to ten days, was gone in two to three days in individuals who had taken 1-2 grams (1,000 to 2,000 mg) of MSM per day in split dosages for the preceding six months.

MSM AND ALLERGIES
Over 40 million people are affected by allergies with reactions ranging from somewhat bothersome to potentially fatal. An allergic response occurs when the body's immune system reacts to otherwise harmless substances we call allergens. Your body produces antibodies to fight the allergens. Once our immune system decides that a particular type of pollen, for example, is a hostile invader, it becomes "sensitized" to it, and reacts by producing antibodies that give us allergy symptoms. This can last for years, and perhaps a lifetime.
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Dr. Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., recommends allergy sufferers begin taking at least 6,000mg of MSM per day for three weeks and reduce to 3,000mg per day thereafter. Additionally, he recommends people drink more water and increase their intake of Vitamin C to lower histamine levels. Allergy sufferers who use MSM swear by it.

ADDITIONAL ROLES OF SULFUR / MSM

* Tests indicate that MSM may present a blocking interface between parasites and host (YOU!) by competing for binding, or receptor, sites at the mucous membrane surfaces. One study demonstrated MSM's effectiveness in knocking out Giardia.
* Added flexibility and permeability to the gastrointestinal tract can result in reduced diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and hyperacidity.
* Individuals who experience an allergic response to certain foods (food allergies -- for example, milk, citrus, wheat, cereals, shrimp) have reported an improved, or complete, tolerance to these substances. MSM coats the mucous membranes, occupying the binding sites that the food allergens would otherwise occupy. This facilitates normal digestion and allows the body to extract the maximum nutritional value from foods.
* MSM has been shown to reduce cataracts by allowing proper levels of fluids to flow through optical tissues, removing harmful particles.
* MSM strengthens hair and nails, and aids in wound healing.

How Should MSM Be Used?
Results vary. According to Dr. Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., "Due to its positive wide-spectrum effect, particularly in maintaining healthy cell formation, dietary nutritional supplementation of MSM is recommended at a daily rate of 2,000 to 6,000mg. The optimum effective dosage would depend on body size, age, the MSM blood level prior to administration, and the nature and severity of the condition you are treating. This means you can experiment with different doses to find out what works best for you." Sometimes, it takes up to 3 weeks for effects to be noticed.

Are There Any Side Effects with MSM?
MSM has been used as a dietary supplement for almost 40 years with no reports of intolerance or allergic reactions. Its toxicity profile is similar to that of water! Your body flushes excess MSM after about a 12-hour period. It uses what is needed and the rest is discarded.

OK, the doc (wife) says it is used for arthritus sometimes so I guess it could work. But herbs can affect other drugs you may be taking so research it first. The bad deal with herbal suppliments is that they do not require FDA approval so the side affects and risks are probably unknown.

Well I suppose this is better documented than I assumed. I hit submit post after the book was posted by Amerpie. Good information, better than most involving Herbs.

Hi,
Glucosamine sulfate is a substance your body makes; but makes less and less as you age. My Doc put me on it; and it helps. You might want to try it. I tried MSM, not sure about it.

Good information.Yet another reason to eat mostly raw,uncooked foods.As I eat plenty of raw egg yokes I don't supplement MSM (however if I see it at a 99cent sale I might pick some up as I do for glucosimine now).I have Mindell's Vitimin Bible and assorted other pamplets and find him very knowledgable.

Originally posted by RWTD
.As I eat plenty of raw egg yokes
Keep an eye on your cholesterol, then. It is the yolk that contains all the cholesterol in an egg. Not a problem if you aren't prone to high cholesterol but can sneak up pretty quickly on you otherwise.

John

Dietary cholesterol is not highly coorelated with blood cholesterol which recent research is showing iitself isn't as much a factor in heart disease as the medical industry which views cholesterol control as a major profit center would have you believe.In any event as I weight train I use alot of cholesterol to build anabolic hormones .I am a firm believer if you are active and use the nutrients alot of the ones that the general public have been scared away from are in actuality beneficial .

This is the first time I've ever heard of MSM. I am not really keen on trying it out but I'll go look up on it.

My grandfather used DMSO for years and lived to be 89, he swore by it.
The best thing you can do for your cholestrol level is EXERSIZE! This is the one PROVEN way to increase your HDL levels and this is a good thing! I work in a medical lab and I can tell you now that some of the skinniest people have some of the highest cholestrol levels. It is very much driven by genetics and not the diet!

My husband does sometimes. We did give it to our dog. 3 years ago she was so bad we almost had to put her down then started giving her "Flex-o-min" It has MSM, Condroiten & Glucosomine (all of which could be misspelled) Within 3 days she was back to her old self. Honestly You wouldn't believe how quickly and to the extent she recovered. I've seen it work.

Originally posted by RWTD
As I eat plenty of raw egg yokes

I'd be worried about salmonella from any raw egg product.

Don't eat them then.

I take a combo supplement called Joint formula. It's supposed to help Joints and connective tissue. ( I have some tendonitis)

Anyhow, what I take has a combination of Guclosimine, Condrioton, MSM and Boswellia. Seems to be working on my wrist. also my fingers don't seem to be as sore!! It's only been a few weeks and I think you supposed to take it for 6-8 weeks before it becomes fully effective, then you can take less and less.


Joint Formula (DJF)
The ALTRUM Joint Formula is nutritional support for healthy joints, cartilage and connective tissue. For years, arthritis sufferers could do little more than take anti-inflammatory agents for discomfort. Steroids have severe side effects and cease to work effectively when taken on a
continual basis, and aspirin often upsets the gastrointestinal tract.
ALTRUM Joint Formula features a premium multiple-nutrient formula of the most important joint support ingredients, offering rapid results while supporting long-term repair. Its reparative nutrients may allow users to reduce the dosage over time. Joint Formula is premium natural joint support so there are no side effects.* Joint Formula can be further enhanced with use of one of the ALTRUM Multis.

Joint Formula includes the effective ingredients of:


1.MSM (300 mg)- a form of organic sulfur essential for production of connective tissue for optimal joint health.

2.Boswellia (100 mg)- a natural herb used today as an anti-inflammatory agent for rheumatoid arthritis, lower back pain and osteoarthritis.

3.Chondroitin Sulfate (50 mg)- an all-natural nutrient important to the formation of cartilage. Healthy cartilage caps the ends of bones, acting as a shock absorber and reducing friction between moving parts.

4.Glucosamine HCL (300 mg)- a natural ingredient that acts as a joint lubricator, but as the body ages, its ability to produce glucosamine slows down.

5.Manganese (2 mg)- for the production of manganese containing enzymes that play a role in production of essential cartilage compounds.

I would caution use in those with sulfur allergies as well as pregnant women since we don't have good data on its effect on the fetus. None of the clinical trials (they were good but small ) studied its effect on the developing fetus. ( A popular sulfur based antibiotic is contraindicated in pregnant women because it crosses the placental barrier and causes kernicterus and cleft palates) Otherwise msm is relatively safe but glucosamine has more clinical research data. ( Glucosamine was even recommended at 2003 annual meeting for the Society of Orthopedic Surgeons that I attended.)

I have been using MSN and glucosamine for over a year and find no side effects. I also gave them to my dog when she got so bad she could not stand up. She now runs around like a young pup again and she is a 12 year old Rottweiler.

Originally posted by RWTD
Don't eat them then.

Simple but effective advice.