As I lay on the floor looking up at a ceiling fan after a recent workout, I thought about you. My body felt amazing and I wondered to myself, “How can I help other people feel as good as I feel right now?” It’s a question I ask myself often. This time, it occurred to me that I hadn’t told you yet about one of my must-have supplements: MSM. Yes, it’s a must-have . . . because I actually FEEL better when I take it. And with the exception of Vitamin D, I ONLY take supplements that make me FEEL better on a daily basis.
Sulfur is only recently becoming recognized as a vital ingredient for optimal health and wellness. It is a nutrient without which, many bodily processes don’t work properly. And it is an ingredient we are probably not getting enough of anymore. After researching for this article, I am even MORE passionately recommending it.
How I was introduced to MSM
Have you heard of the health “miracles” that people experience from soaking in hot springs? People have traveled great distances to do so. It turns out that sulfur is one of the reasons it is so beneficial. Hot springs are typically infused with a range of minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron, and chloride – and when you sense that distinctive ‘rotten egg’ smell, you are in the presence of sulfur.
I first became interested in MSM after experiencing complete relief from my chronic lower back pain after soaking in a local hot spring known to be rich in sulfur. You can read about my experience here.
Before going on, I want to clarify that for the purposes of this article, I am referring ALWAYS to the organic, or dietary sulfur. (Sulfur oxide, the inorganic kind, on the other hand is toxic). You can tell the difference because MSM is white, while inorganic sulfur is yellow. You should never ingest the yellow kind!
What is MSM?
MSM is short for Methylsulfonylmethane. It is found in all living plant and animal tissues. It is one of the MAIN sources of sulfur in the diet (approximately 34% sulfur, by weight). In addition to being a SOURCE of Sulfur in the diet, MSM helps your body to metabolize the other sources of sulfur in your diet. The supplement is primarily derived from the lignin of pine trees.
Sulfur is the 3rd most plentiful mineral in the human body. MSM provides biologically active sulfur – that is, the kind that can be used by the human body.
Where does MSM come from?
MSM is derived naturally from the earth’s water cycle. (i.e. ocean plankton release sulfur compounds into the air. The UV light in the ozone converts it to MSM, and that MSM returns to the earth through rain).
Because of the rain cycle, MSM is present in many natural, unprocessed foods. Unfortunately, when we began using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, we also inhibited plants’ ability to absorb the sulfur from the soil. MSM is further depleted when we cook these foods. For the majority of us, our diets are sulfur deficient.
That said, there are SOME foods that are very rich in sulfur. For example, sulfur is the key ingredient in garlic, and it is also plentiful in onions. The best sources of MSM Sulfur are:
- Onions
- Garlic
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Kale
- Asparagus
- Sunflower Seeds
- Lentils
- Soybeans
- Turnips
- Beans
- Wheat germ
Notice as you read this list, that most of these foods have a very odorous smell when you cook them – that is from the release of sulfur in the food. You can also get small amounts of MSM in fruit, corn, tomatoes, tea, coffee, and milk. (Raw milk is an amazing source, and may be one of the reasons why people are getting benefits that make them willing to take great risk to consume it.)
Many amino acids have sulfur as a component (especially methionine, cystine, and cysteine). Therefore, you can obtain it from grass-fed meat, free-range poultry, and fish. Eggs can also be a good source of sulfur.
B vitamins contain sulfur, specifically Thiamin (Vitamin B-1) and Biotin (Vitamin B-7).
Our bodies do not produce sulfur, and it cannot be stored by our body for more than 12 hours, thus it must be consumed DAILY. It is vital for overall body wellness that you do this.
MSM for Your CELLS
One of the most important functions of MSM is that of making your cells more permeable. Permeable cells allow for easier absorption of nutrients and water and also for easier removal of toxins and metabolic waste. This function raises immunity, energy levels, and reduces inflammation and the pain associated with it.
Sulfur needs to be present in order for our cells to release many byproducts and excess fluids that can accumulate and cause swelling/tenderness.
What happens if we don’t have enough MSM?
As we age, especially if our diet is nutritionally deficient, our bodies become stiff, our cells rigid, and our energy levels decline. Active sulfur is one of the most important nutrients for keeping our bodies young and full of energy. It is used for many different critical bodily functions every day.
Common health complaints associated with low concentrations of MSM include:
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Sensitivity to Stress
- Degenerative diseases
- Unhealthy skin and hair
- Sore and Painful Joints
The way that sulfur impacts the immune system and facilitates normal cellular activity makes MSM a powerful, natural anti-inflammatory. For this reason, it is effective for treating allergies, repetitive stress injuries, and more. MSM’s ability to neutralize inflammation is one of the greatest discoveries in health and wellness, especially because of the low cost at which it can be used.
In addition to playing a role in all of the functions listed below, MSM is believed to prevent cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurological diseases. It has been shown to break down the plaque in your arteries, which makes it particularly beneficial in the prevention of heart disease. As a component insulin production, it is greatly recommended for diabetics. MSM also breaks up the bad calcium that causes so many degenerative diseases, like osteoperosis.
MSM for DETOXIFICATION
Sulfur needs to be present in order for toxins and waste to be removed from the body. By increasing the ability of metabolic waste to be removed from the cells, inflammation is reduced. Since excess weight on the body is actually due to inflammation, MSM can cause a natural reduction in unwanted weight.
MSM helps boost our ability to heal and recover from exercise, stressful events, injuries, and even surgeries.
People who struggle with tocixicty often have a deficiency of sulfur.
In addition, without sulfur, glutathione, one of the most important antioxidants your body produces, cannot work.
MSM for your GUT
I don’t think I can emphasize enough the important of gut health on your overall well-being. And MSM’s ability to rebuild the lining of the digestive tract, lower inflammation, and reduce allergic reactions to certain foods makes it a supplement we all need. It also helps heal leaky gut syndrome and even (especially when combined with tea tree oil), hemorrhoids.
MSM for Your JOINTS
Patients with knee and back problems or any limited range of motion experience an improved quality of life from supplementing MSM. MSM is most known for its use in treating arthritis. It is really effective for improving joint flexibility, reducing stiffness, as well as relieving pain and swelling. It also helps with building flexible skin and muscle tissue, leading to overall flexibility improvement. When used for joints, MSM is often combined with other supplements such as glucosamine or chondroitin.
MSM for Your SKIN
MSM is a necessary nutrient for collagen production. Therefore, MSM has the power to radically improve your skin health It is often used to treat scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, wounds, sun spots, and sun burn. As we age, our collagen levels decline, and with it our skin tone and elasticity. And collagen is necessary to prevent sagging skin and wrinkles, as well as dry or cracked skin. MSM works along with Vitamin C to build new, healthy tissue. You can get even more results using MSM on your skin when you combine it with other antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A which help build new, healthy skin cells.
When applied topically along with silymarin, MSM can help lower inflammation contributing to rosacea, skin discoloration, allergies, and wounds.
MSM can be found a number of facial clays, including: Bentonite Clay, French Green Clay, and Moroccan Red Clay. It is also found in horsetail remedies and aloe vera products.
MSM for HAIR and NAILS
MSM provides the sulfur needed to produce both collagen and keratin. Collagen and keratin are both absolutely necessary for creating healthy hair and nails. You can see healthier hair and nails in just a few weeks of consistent MSM supplementation.
MSM for your MUSCLES
MSM helps repair the rigid fibrous tissue cells in our muscles that we break down during exercise. It can also help heal damaged ligaments and tendons. Professional athletes often consume MSM sulfur when they need to recover from an injury quickly.
Some research indicates that MSM may help with exercise recovery by preventing aches and pains. MSM is especially beneficial when used along with other anti-inflammatories. After a workout, lactic acid buildup causes pain and soreness. By making the cells more permeable, the body is better able to eliminate lactic acid and other waste products that speeds recovery and rebuilding.
MSM for ENERGY
Increased cellular permeability also has the benefit of giving you more energy. There are two reasons for this. One being that less energy is required to rid the body of toxins and secondly because of the increased absorption of nutrients.
How to Supplement MSM
MSM supplements come in powder or capsule form. As with all supplements, quality and active ingredients vary widely between makers. While most MSM supplements contain synthetic byproducts, you can find organic, 100% naturally deprived MSM. Always check with your doctor before using any supplements.
Even if you eat a diet rich in MSM, you can still supplement without reaching a level of toxicity. MSM is considered safe and shows minimal side effects. (Though some people experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort at first). MSM does not appear to interact with medications, herbs, supplements, or foods. However, if you are allergic to Sulfa drugs, you should avoid supplemental MSM.
500 milligrams 3x daily is effective for most uses. You want to build gradually because the improved detoxification may temporarily aggravate your condition(s).
Be sure to consume Vitamin C along with MSM Sulfur, since Vitamin C is dependent upon sulfur for absorption. One recommendation is to add MSM powder to water along with Vitamin C (like lemon juice).
This is the MSM supplement I use (clicking on the link will take you to my amazon affiliate link):
To buy: amazon.com, $19.97
I’m sure that there are other great sources out there. However, this one WORKS for me and makes my joints feel noticeably better.
Other Ways to Get More MSM
Other methods of supplementation include applying MSM topically or soaking in a mineral bath. (Epsom salts are touted for their magnesium benefits, but they are also rich in sulfur and oxygen).
I would also like to point out that our Two Weeks to a Two Piece Meal Plan was created to be high in sulfur-rich foods. I strongly recommend you check it out here.
How do I make over my diet and lifestyle without getting overwhelmed?
I am currently offering a course that helps people to make over their diet and lifestyle choices ONE HABIT AT A TIME. We take a moderate approach that will help these habits stick FOR LIFE.
To read this article in video format, go to https://youtu.be/2q7a0-rAH90
Related Articles:
How to Treat Lower Back Pain and Sciatica: 9 Simple Remedies
Two Weeks to a Two Piece (don’t let the name fool you – the meal plan is for EVERY BODY!)
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Marcy Vogler is a lifestyle makeover coach, personal trainer, and mother of three. Marcy is passionate about helping women make over their lives from the inside out. To learn more about the courses Marcy offers, check out our parter website at www.thegoodlife4u.club. For daily inspiration, join Marcy’s Facebook Group: Love Your Day, Love Your Life.
