MSM (OptiMSM®)

Methylsulfonylmethane

Methylsulfonylmethane, abbreviated MSM, is an organic sulphur-containing compound that occurs naturally in a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and animals, including humans in at least trace amounts.

What Is OptiMSM®?

OptiMSM™ is the world’s purest methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). OptiMSM® is manufactured in the United States in a GMP-FDA approved facility and is the only MSM supported by double-blind clinical research. Every batch of OptiMSM is distilled FOUR TIMES for purity and undergoes the most rigorous analytical testing available, guaranteeing unsurpassed quality. MSM is an organic sulfur-containing nutrient that supports healthy active lifestyles by providing nutritionally essential sulfur and methyl groups. OptiMSM is the only brand of MSM with published, peer-reviewed safety data.

The OptiMSM® Difference

There are many different brands and forms of MSM in the marketplace. When you read OptiMSM on Naturvitae's MSM products, you know you're getting the original MSM patented and licensed for sale in the United States and throughout the world as a dietary supplement. OptiMSM is held to higher quality standards, tested by independent laboratories to guarantee the absence of harmful metal and biological contaminants, and is always guaranteed 99.9% pure methylsulfonylmethane.

OptiMSM offers you these advantages:

• Confidence. OptiMSM is manufactured in the United States according to strict manufacturing standards. MSM used in other products may contain impurities or contaminants.
• Purity. Every batch of OptiMSM is tested by an independent industry laboratory to ensure product purity and the absence of heavy metals, bacterium, or other contaminants.
• Nutritional Value. OptiMSM is comprised of 34% bioavailable sulfur-the richest source known to man.
• Safety. OptiMSM is non-allergenic and non-toxic. It is one of the safest compounds that we can consume, comparable to water. OptiMSM is Kosher certified-an additional assurance of quality and purity.

About the Quality of OptiMSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)

OptiMSM® is pharmaceutical grade quality MSM, and is produced by the method of distillation. This process removes any potential impurities, leaving only pure MSM, i.e. OptiMSM. The quality is supported by a certificate of analysis for each batch produced, which shows that bacteria and yeasts are absent. The concentrations of heavy metals, an important potential contaminant, is specified to be absent near the analytical levels of detection (for mercury, for example, at less than 0.001 parts per million).

Other producers use the crystallization method, which is a less expensive production process.  In this process, the MSM is dissolved in water and then dried, trapping any contaminants present in the water. This MSM comes with certificates of analysis in which the absence of yeast, bacteria and fungi is often not guaranteed, and the concentrations of heavy metals is shown as a generic group at less than 20 parts per million.

How Distillation Removes Contaminants




Impurities with high boiling points, such as heavy metals, remain in the bottom of the distillation vessel (fig.1)




Boiling Point
1740°C Lead
765°C Cadmium
613°C Arsenic
357°C Mercury
248°C MSM
182°C Phenol
98°C Heptane
80°C Benzene





Contaminants with boiling points below that of MSM are removed as distillation temperatures approach MSM’s boiling point. MSM is separated from impurities, then condensed as a highly purified liquid that is then cooled into its final form (fig.2)
















The fig. 2 shows OptiMSM® after four times distillation. It is pure, i.e., free of contaminants. The fig. 1 shows the contaminants left behind during the distillation process mostly comprised of heavy metals. These contaminants are all still present in the crystallization method, and although this cheaper MSM may look white and the manufacturer may claim “> 99% pure MSM”, small quantities of heavy metals and other contaminants will be present in this imported MSM.

The bottom line is that heavy metals in OptiMSM® are guaranteed to be thousands of times lower than the levels in the cheaper import MSM. While it is not possible for consumers to verify this, selecting OptiMSM® is a sure way to guarantee that you buy pure, clean MSM.


The Role of MSM in Our Body

MSM is a water-soluble, solid compound. It is also known as dimethyl sulfone, DMSO2, sulfonylbismethane and methyl sulfone.
It occurs in nature: oceans, seeweeds, and planktons absorbe high quantity of sulphur and synthetize it in an elementary form. When seeweeds and plankton organisms die, their molecules are broken down by enzymatic processes into DMS (Dimethyil Sulphur). DMS is oxidadated by UV-rays and turned into DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide), and finally into MSM.

The body needs it to build up almost every particle, such as enzymes, hormones, amino acids, antibodies, anti-oxidants.
MSM is one of the four main minerals of the body; it occurs in every cell and every body's function.
The circulatory system of an adult man is naturally occuring of MSM levels equivalent to 0.2 mg/kg. The average urinary execretion of MSM is of 4-11 mg daily. But several studies have suggested that MSM concentration in mammals decreases according to age. A sulphur deficiency leads to stiffened muscles and joints, wrinkled skin, and lowered elasticity of lung tissues and arterial blood vessels. It might be that even genetic information transfer through connective tissue decreases, so that diseases proper of senility could be due to a reduced communication between cells and tissues.

Nails and hair are made by a tough protein with an high sulphur content, called keratin. Flexible tissues such as connective and cartilagineus ones contain proteins with flexible sulphur's bounds. Collagen is the higher quantity occuring protein in human body and the main component of connective tissues. It gives elasticity to skin by interacting with elastin. In cartilage the sulphur-occurring glusosamine, chondroitin, and proteoglycans create with collagen the structure of collagen itself and make it flexible.

MSM is a stable source naturally rich in organic sulphur.
Joints are high quantity occuring of sulphur; here it takes part of chondroitin sulphate, glucosmine, and hyaluronic acid. These substances make a sort of protective gel that is the matrix of  tendons, cartilage, skin, and bones.

It is thought that MSM have analgesic (for arthitis), immuno modulator in autoimmune diseases, and muscle repair actions, as well as it aids sleep and diabetes treatments. A preliminary research have suggested possible effects against cancer too.

Several studies have shown that a MSM dietary supplementation can be useful for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. A double-bind study have documented a pain reduction of 82% in patients with arthritis after a six-weeks-long treatment with 2.25 g of MSM daily. MSM may also speed wound healing (especially if taken in association with vitamin C).
 
MSM is very effective against inflammations due to autoimmune reactions. Many studies have demonstrated that a MSM dietary supplementation can help to significatively reduce degenerative alterations and inflammations of joints.
MSM is also needed for a great number of enzymatic and hormonal reactions, as well as for a good functioning of immune system. Whenever there's enough MSM in the body, it gathers around mucous membranes where it builds a protective covering to reduce the effects of external allergens and polluters. Some studies have demonstrated the beneficial effect of taking MSM for asthma and allergies (food allergy, contact allergy, etc.).
Its ability to get linked to mucous membranes is accounted for its anti-allergic property. Moreover, MSM decreases allergies by detoxifying the body, clearing out free radicals, and increasing cell permeabilty. It has been estabilished a link between the amount of MSM intaken and body's resistance to allergens. Several authors have noted that MSM, as histamine inhibitor, works as traditional antihistamines without negative side-effects.

Several laboratory tests have documented that many kind of skin ailments often linked to allergies respond positively to a diet supplemented with MSM. It has been shown that MSM, when given orally, is effective against acne, rosacea, and dry, scaly, and irritated skin. When applied topically, it has a beneficial effect on scars caused by operations or burns.

A steady intake of MSM helps to keep the healthness and good-apparence of skin, nails, and hair, since MSM is needed for keratin and collagen production.
MSM is also believed to be synergic to many vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, all the vitamins of B complex, vitamins A, D, and E, amino acids, calcium, magnesium, selenium, etc.. MSM increases their nutritional contribution to cells and prolongs cell life.

MSM is a powerful anti-oxidant able to block the action of free radicals.
As main source of sulphur, MSM is needed for body's natural anti-oxidants processes. When our body blocks free radicals, it needs several anti-oxidants enzymes which get their structure and action from sulphur bounds.

It is known that MSM is soluble in several organic and inorganic compounds. Linked to mucous membrane, MSM reacts to toxines, aids to deactivate them, and speeds their clearance.

A study reveals that at least the 75% of individuals, who took one or more antiacids and/or antihistamine drugs, could significatively decrease or totally clear out those drugs after a week of dietary supplementation with MSM. Another study on 21 patients with constipation, who was given 500 mg of MSM daily with 1 g of ascorbic acid, documented that all of their intestinal functions came back to normal as long as they continued to take MSM.

Starting with MSM supplementation, it may happen to certain people experiencing some detoxification symptoms, such as a mild diarrhea, rashes, headache, fatigue, etc., that usually go away within one week.
There are no peculiar contraindications about MSM, 'cos its toxicity level is one of the lowest known thus far, as low as almost water's one. A six-months-long unpublished study by Oregon Health Sciences University on long-term toxicity of MSM revealed no toxic effects. In this study, more than 12000 individuals, who were given 2 grams of MSM daily, did not experience any side-effect. It was also noted that MSM's effectiveness increased when taken with vitamin C.

MSM

Main Uses:	Injuries due to accidents, burns, etc. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis Fibromyalgia Backache Headache and migraine Muscle pain Bursitis Tennis elbow and other sports' injuries Carpal tunnel syndrome Sclerosis Whiplash Repetitive Strain Injury(RSI) Scars caused by burns, operations, accidents, etc. Asthma and allergies
Main Actions:	analgesic, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, vasodilator, lissive (muscle relaxant), immuno modulator, wound healer
Standard Dosage:	2-4 g twice a day
Contraindications:	None reported. MSM has one of the lowest toxicity levels medicinally and biologically known thus far, comparable to water. Anyway: It may have a mild vasodilatative effect. As such it is recommended to those with heart condition a closer monitoring It may cause some detoxifying reactions (such as nausea, vomit, and diarrhea). Reduce or discontinue the use for a couple of days until these symptoms will desappear.
Drug Interactions:	None known.

Bibliography

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