"Sulfur is the forgotten essential element." Carl Pfeiffer, M.D., Ph.D., a world-renowned expert on nutritional medicine.
MSM is a special organic sulfur that combats autoimmune diseases including, asthma, lupus, and scleroderma. MSM is critical to proper skin, hair, and liver health. MSM is the subject of a bestselling book, The Miracle of MSM, The Natural Solution for Pain, authored by UCLA neuropsychiatrist Ronald Lawrence M.D., Ph.D., and Stanley Jacob, M.D.
MSM: A New Solution for Arthritis, Allergies, and Pain [Also from the Essential Oils Desk Reference, 3rd Edition]
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a natural sulfur-bearing nutrient that occurs widely in nature (found in everything from mother's milk to fresh vegetables). It is an exceptional source of nutritional sulfur -- a mineral that is vital to protein synthesis and sound health.
Why is sulfur so important to the body? Because sulfur is a mineral which, like vitamin C, is constantly being used up and depleted. When we fair to replenish our reserves of nutritional sulfur, we become more vulnerable to disease and degenerative conditions. Some possible signs of sulfur deficiency are:
Poor nail and hair growth
Eczema
Dermatitis
Poor muscle tone
Acne/Pimples
Gout
Rheumatism
Arthritis
Weakening of nervous system
Constipation
Impairment of mental faculties
Lowered libido
MSM is more than just another essential nutrient. According to research compiled by Ronald Lawrence, Ph.D, M.D. and Stanley Jacob, M.D., MSM represents a safe, natural solution for chronic headaches, back pain, tendinitis, fibriomyalgia, rheumatism, arthritis, athletic injuries, muscle spasms, asthma, and allergies.
In a book entitled "The Miracle of MSM" [available from Essential Science Publishing and other places], both Dr. Jacobs and Dr. Lawrence discuss how MSM has benefited hundreds of patients. A UCLA neuro-psychiatrist, Dr. Lawrence is convinced that MSM will revolutionize how millions of people deal with inflammatory autoimmune diseases like rheumatism, asthma, bursitis, and tendinitis, as well as auto-immune diseases like arthritis, lupus, schleroderma and allergies.
Other doctors have also seen their patients dramatically improve using 2 to 4 grams of MSM daily. According to David Blyweiss, M.D., of the Institute of Advanced Medicine in Lauderhill, Florida, many patients experience a 50% improvement in their arthritis symptoms, along with less fatigue, better sleep and better ability to exercise.
Dr. Laurence has also used MSM to improve the condition of patients who were virtually crippled with arthritis and back pain. One patient was able to get out of bed for the first time after just two weeks on MSM. And after two months of MSM use, he would walk to the grocery store.
Another of Dr. Lawrence's patients was a 70-year-old woman who was suffering from severe arthritis. In this case, MSM actually postponed the need for double knee replacement. In fact, after only two months on oral MSM, she was walking again with much less pain and stiffness.
Numerous other MSM uses have experienced results equivalent to cortisone, but without side effects like immune suppression, fluid retention and weakness.
According to Stanley Jacord, M.D., there may be no pharmaceutical back pain therapy better, or safer, than MSM. "MSM has an important role to play in the nonsurgical treatment of back pain," he said. "I have seen several hundred patients for back pain secondary to osteoarthritis, disc degeneration, spinal misalignment, or accidents. For such pain-related conditions, MSM is usually beneficial."
"I have been recommending MSM for more that six months," says Richard Shaefer, a chiropractor from Wheeling, Illinois. "The results have been excellent. I consistently see major reduction in pain and inflammation in arthritic joints, along with improved range of motion. I can't think of a single individual who isn't getting some kind of positive effect."
MSM may have other benefits aside from its pain and inflammation-reducing properties. Numerous patients have reported a surge in energy levels along with thicker, hair, nails and skin. Some have even reported a softening of disappearance of scar tissue.
One user reported a marked increase in stamina and energy after starting on MSM. "For a long while I have had the blahs," complained Lou Salyer of Tucson, Arizona. "I had no stamina. I had to force myself to get things done around the house. After two days on MSM, it was like a blast of energy. I am amazed at how much I get done now."
MSM may also do much more than relieve pain. "Prior to taking MSM (30 grams a day for 20 years), I would have a cold or flue two or three times a year, Stated Dr. Jacobs. "Since I've been taking MSM, I've not had a single cold or the flu. I can't say that MSM prevented my cold or the flu, but it is a fascinating observation."
MSM contains an exceptionally bioavailable source of sulfur, one of the most neglected minerals needed by the human body. Carl Pfeiffer, M.D., Ph.D., a world-renowned expert on nutritional medicine, agrees. "Sulfur is the forgotten essential element."
Found in such foods as garlic and asparagus, the sulfur within MSM is a critical part of the amino acids cysteine and methionine, which form the building blocks of the nails, hair and skin. Sulfur is also found in therapeutic mineral baths and hot springs that have brought relief to arthritis sufferers for centuries.
THE YOUTH NUTRIENT
Of particular importance is MSM's ability to equalize water pressure inside the cells -- a considerable benefit for those plagued with bursitis, arthritis and tendinitis. These kinds of inflammatory outbreaks are created when the water pressure inside the cells jumps past the pressure outside the cells, creating pressure and pain. MSM acts as a sort of cellular safety valve, affecting the protein envelope of the cell so that water transfers freely in and out of the cell. The result: rapid relief and less damage to tissues. And because it elasticizes the hold between the cells, MSM can restore flexibility to inflamed tissues.
When our bodies grow older and are chronically shortchanged of key minerals like sulfur and MSM, the bonds between our cells become increasingly rigid and brittle -- a condition that can lead to a loss in skin flexibility and contribute to skin
wrinkles. The internal manifestations of this cellular brittleness are far less visible but have a far greater negative impact on the body. MSM's ability to reintroduce flexibility into cell structures, therefore, can have widespread restorative effects.
Sources:
Essential Oils Desk Reference Guide, 3rd Edition.
cell structures, therefore, can have widespread restorative effects.