What is MSM?
MSM is an organic sulfur-containing nutrient, a naturally-occurring compound in the environment and in the human body. Sulfur is necessary for the structure of every cell in the body. Hormones, enzymes, antibodies, and antioxidants all depend on it. And because the body utilizes and expends it on a daily basis, sulfur must be continually replenished for optimal nutrition and health. 

Birth of a Supplement 
Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, has been present in the oceans, soil, and atmosphere of Earth for eons. It has been collected by plants and eaten by animals for nearly as long. It is part of nature’s great sulfur cycle, upon which all life depends. Although the technology to produce MSM has been known for many years, the nutritional benefits were unknown until discovered by chemical researcher Robert J. Herschler in the early 1980s.

Where Does MSM Come From?
MSM originates in the oceans where microscopic plankton release sulfur compounds into seawater, which is quickly converted to DMS, a volatile sulfur compound that escapes into the atmosphere. In this suspended, gaseous state, the DMS reacts with ozone and ultraviolet sunlight to create DMSO and DMSO2, known as MSM. MSM then falls to the earth with the rain, where it is collected and concentrated in plants. Although MSM is abundant in nature, even the richest natural sources only provide MSM in the level of several parts per million. Commercial extraction of MSM from trees is not possible. MSM is produced by oxidizing DMSO. This process parallels the natural oxidation of DMSO to MSM that occurs in the marine atmosphere and produces MSM that is chemically identical to that found in nature.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) has gained a strong following among health professionals and the public for its ability to relieve pain and promote wellness. Many physicians are finding that patients’ needs for pain medication can be greatly reduced when MSM supplements are taken at the same time. For many, MSM has allowed them to live pain-free for the first time in years. MSM is an innocuous natural substance that can be used safely along with a host of pain medications.
Safety is an important point when it comes to pain relief, because many of the medications used to help with pain are toxic. NSAID pain medications alone are responsible for over 20,000 deaths and over 100,000 hospitalizations per year in the U.S. In contrast, MSM is completely safe, even in large doses. This is because MSM is a naturally occurring sub- stance found in small amounts in produce, meat, milk, and seafood. MSM has always been a nutrient in our diet, and is a natural component of our plasma. Unfortunately, heat and processing destroys or greatly reduces the MSM content of food, leaving many with a suboptimal intake of this important nutrient.1
MSM provides most of its benefits by supplying the body with sulfur. Sulfur is responsible for the health-promoting and pain-relieving properties of MSM. Approximately half of the sulfur in the body is found in the muscles, skin and bones. Sulfur is necessary for making collagen, the primary constituent of cartilage, skin and connective tissue.

Acid Lowering/Heartburn-Relieving Effects
Unlike prescription antacids or acid-blockers, pilot studies suggest that MSM can provide extremely effective and imme- diate relief from excess acidity, without side effects. MSM can be taken every day without disturbing any of the body’s normal functions, including acid/alkaline balance.

Allergies
MSM has strong anti-inflammatory activity in the body, which can greatly assist in reducing inflammation that is common with allergic reactions.3 Both environmental and food allergies can be reduced with MSM. Asthma and hay fever sufferers also have reported significant relief with MSM.

Arthritis
MSM has shown excellent potential in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Studies have shown MSM to be as effective as medication for pain relief in osteoarthritis, and without any of the toxicity of drug treatments. MSM has also been found to be helpful in rheumatoid arthritis.

Protecting Against Breast Cancer
Research in animal studies has shown that oral MSM supplementation can protect against the onset of breast cancer.6 In both breast and colon cancer studies, MSM significantly prolonged the time of appearance of both tumors and cancers. For an extensive discussion of the benefits of MSM, refer to the book The Miracle of MSM: The Natural Solution for Pain (Putnam Press, 1999) by Stanley Jacob, M.D., Ronald Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D. and Martin Zucker. Stanley Jacob, M.D. is regarded as one of the pioneers in the clinical applications of MSM. In his book, he discusses his many case histories where he has used MSM to treat pain, inflammation, asthma, osteoarthritis, autoimmune diseases, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, sinusitis, shin splints, TMJ, back pain, allergies, and other conditions.

References
1. Pearson TW, Dawson H.J. and Lackey, H.B. Natural Occurring Levels of Dimethylsulfoxide in Selected Fruit, Vegetables, Grains and Beverages. Ann Chemical Soc 1981.
2. Jacob SW, and Herschler, R.J. personal communication. Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR.
3. Sellnow L. MSM An Aid from Nature. The Blood Horse 1987.
4. Jacob SW. Preliminary Evaluation of MSM in Osteoarthritis. Oregon Health Sciences University unpublished paper 1997.
5. Woldenberg SC. The treatment of chronic arthritis and rheumatoid conditions with colloidal sulfur. Journal of the Southern Medical Association 1935; 28:875-891.
6. McCabe Dea. Polar solvents in chemoprevention of dimethylbenzaanthracene induced rat mammary cancer. Arch Surg 1986; 121.

MSM Research

According to a 2017 paper published in Nutrients, MSM was analyzed in a number of different animal models as well as human clinical trials and experiences.   A number of health-specific studies showed that through MSM supplementation, oxidative stress, reduction of joint-muscle pain, inflammation, oxidative stress, and potential antioxidant capacity.  The review showed that MSM as a dietary supplement was safe with no known side effects. If we compare MSM to NSAID pain medications, NSAID’s  are responsible for over 20,000 deaths and over 100,000 hospitalizations per year in the U.S.  MSM is safe even in large doses. 

MSM is a naturally occurring substance found in small amounts in produce, meat, milk and seafood.  MSM has always been in our diet, and is a natural ingredient found in our plasma.  When you think of MSM and its benefits, it offers the body a very important trace mineral, Sulfur, which has health-promoting and pain-relieving properties.  Almost 50% of the sulfur in the body is found in the skin, bones, and muscles.  Sulfur is needed for the production of collagen which is the primary constituent of connective tissue, skin, cartilage, the cornea, and the vitreous.  The vitreous is the gel sac found in the posterior two thirds back of the eye, and is comprised of vitrosin (a type of collagen), and a network of collagen type II fibrils with glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronan, and opticin.

Hormones, enzymes, antibodies, and antioxidants all depend on it. And because the body utilizes and expends it on a daily basis, sulfur must be continually replenished for optimal nutrition and health. Foods that contain sulfur include:  broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts, kale, spinach, asparagus, okra, lettuce, sweet corn, and eggplant.  Also, onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, chives, and soybeans contain sulfur.  It is an essential ingredient to boost our immunity, reduce inflammation, and help get rid of toxins.

According to the International Journal of Biomedical Science, a study with 100 people 50 and over found that treatment of 1200 Mg of MSM for 3 months, swelling in the joints, stiffness and decreased pain compared to the placebo group. 
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4502733/

In another study published in Current Therapeutic Research, Clinical and Experimental, 32 people who suffered lower back pain were given a glucosamine supplement containing MSM, significantly reduced lumbar stiffness and pain upon movement, plus greatly increased quality of life.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3965983/

In a third study published in the Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, MSM was shown to inhibit the NF-kB, a protein complex involved in inflammatory responses in your body. 
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2882124/

In a fourth study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology, For example, supplementing with MSM significantly reduced inflammation in mice with stomach ulcers by inhibiting the release of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-ɑ and IL-6, as well as increasing glutathione levels. 
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28666801

The evidence suggests that MSM may support collagen health, reduce inflammation in the gut and increase the body’s ability to get rid of toxicities.