Organic Sulfur Helps Reduce Pain of Osteoarthritis in Knees : MSM Is Almost Natural Substance
This article is intended for patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee joints (OA of the knee joints).
Pain in osteoarthritis is the main limiting symptom, which significantly worsens the patient’s quality of life. And complications of this pathology often sooner or later lead the patient to the inability to work and even take care of himself. Statistics show that osteoarthritis is largely a disease of the elderly. A number of sources say that among people over 60, osteoarthritis occurs in more than 20%, and in people over 80, more than 40%. Therefore, the fight against this disease is a very urgent task of modern medicine.
To combat pain in OA in the knees, modern medicine has developed many drugs. Unfortunately, most of these drugs have side effects. In addition, over time, the effectiveness of these analgesics decreases.
But in medicine, it happens that a necessary and useful substance is discovered by chance. Meet methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). This is another sulfur-containing substance.
MSM was discovered as a metabolite formed from dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). In the 60s of the 20th century, some scientists began to closely study dimethyl sulfoxide. DMSO had good anti-inflammatory properties. And so scientists suggested that these properties were due to a by-product of dimethyl sulfoxide – methylsulfonylmethane. It was found in the liver. Researchers, doctors Robert Herschler and Stanley Jacob in the 1970s and 1980s began to study the effects of MSM. Clinical trials have shown that this organic sulfur (MSM) can reduce pain and improve joint function in diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Interesting fact: MSM is a natural compound. This “sulfur” is found in common foods, such as cabbage, garlic, onions, and others.
Qualities and properties of MSM:
- Anti-inflammatory effect. Reduces joint inflammation: reduces mast cell activity and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- Chondroprotective effect. Promotes cartilage tissue restoration.
- Regulation of cell membrane permeability. Allows better delivery of nutrients to cells and removal of waste compounds from the cell.
- Antioxidant properties. Helps reduce the impact of oxidative stress on joints.
- Minimum side effects. This is due to the fact that MSM is practically a natural metabolite for the body.
To substantiate this, here are links to clinical studies that confirm the stated properties of MSM.
1 Ткачева Н., Елисеева Т. Сера (S) — значение для организма и здоровья + 20 лучших источников // Журнал здорового питания и диетологии. — 2022. — № 1 (19). — С. 80–87. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sera-s-znachenie-dlya-organizma-i-zdorovya-20-luchshih-istochnikov
2 Гальченко А. В., Сера: метаболическая роль, физиологическая потребность, проявления дефицита // Микроэлементы в медицине: проблемные статьи. —2022. — № 23 (4). — С. 14–17. https://journal.microelements.ru/uploads/02-Galchenko-14-17-63aacaecdc723.pdf
3 Елоева Д. В., Неелова О. В. Биологическая роль серы и применение ее соединений в медицине // Успехи современного естествознания. — 2014. — № 8. https://natural-sciences.ru/ru/article/view?id=34113
4 Дыдыкина И. С., Коваленко П. С., Коваленко А. А. Многолетний опыт применения комбинации глюкозамина и хондроитина в клинической практике. Медицинский совет. 2020. — № (8). С. 113–119. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/mnogoletniy-opyt-primeneniya-kombinatsii-glyukozamina-i-hondroitina-v-klinicheskoy-praktike
5 Лоуренс Р. М. МСМ (метилсульфонилметан) двойное слепое исследование его использования при дегенеративном артрите (предварительная переписка)/ Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): a double blind study of its use in degenerative arthritis (Abstract). Int J Anti-Aging Med. 1998; 1:50. https://emutherapy.com/blogs/scientific-studies/lignisul-msm-methylsulfonylmethane-a-double-blind-study-of-its-use-in-degenerative-arthritis-a-preliminary-correspondence
6 Ким Л. С., Аксельрод Э. Д., Ховард П., Буратович Н., Воды Р. Ф. Эффективность метилсульфонилметана (МСМ) при боли в колене при остеоартрите: пилотное клиническое исследование/ Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2006 Mar;14(3):286-94. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2005.10.003. Epub 2005 Nov 23. PMID: 16309928.
7 Уша П. Р., Найду М. У. Рандомизированное двойное слепое параллельное плацебо-контролируемое исследование перорального приема глюкозамина, метилсульфонилметана и их комбинации при остеоартрите Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis. Clin Drug Investig. 2004;24(6):353-63. doi: 10.2165/00044011-200424060-00005. PMID: 17516722.
8 Алексеева Л. И., Шарапова Е. П., Кашеварова Н. Г. И соавт. Применение АРТРА МСМ ФОРТЕ у больных остеоартрозом коленного сустава: результаты рандомизированного открытого сравнительного исследования эффективности и переносимости препарата/ [Use of ARTRA MSM FORTE in patients with knee osteoarthritis: Results of a randomized open-label comparative study of the efficacy and tolerability of the drug]. Ter Arkh. 2015;87(12):49-54. Russian. doi: 10.17116/terarkh2015871249-54. PMID: 26978418.
Note: the research is predominantly Russian.
An approximate scheme for taking methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) for arthrosis may look like this:
A. Dosage and method of administration:
Initial dose: Start with 1 gram of MSM per day so that the body adapts to the supplement.
Target dose: Gradually increase to 2-3 grams per day if there are no side effects.
B. Method of administration: You can take MSM with food or on an empty stomach. If in powder, dissolve in water and drink about 30 minutes before meals.
C. The duration of administration is approximately as follows: at least 1 month. If necessary, then the intake can be repeated after consulting a doctor.
D. How to combine with other supplements.
To enhance the effect of the substance, it is recommended to combine MSM with other supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin: they also support joint health.
E. Side effects and contraindications.
Side effects: May cause gastrointestinal upset, headaches and allergic reactions. They are usually mild and temporary.
K. Contraindications: Allergies, pregnancy, breastfeeding, blood clotting disorders and chronic liver and kidney diseases.
Dear patients, before starting to take MSM, it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor, especially if you have any chronic diseases or are taking other medications.
Be healthy!
