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MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is biologically available sulfur in the form commonly found in plants. People commonly take MSM for joint problems, aches and pains, and allergy season support, as well as to nourish the skin from the inside out, and to help remove toxins from the body.* The list of benefits of this nutrient is thought to have is so long that there are books written on it!
It comes in both capsule and powder forms. The powder has a slightly bitter taste for some people, so if taste is an issue for you, you might prefer the capsules although we offer a flavored powder version. Otherwise, the advantages of each is that the powder is much more economical per gram, while the capsules 'travel' better, meaning they are easier to carry with you if you want to take them outside of your home (to work or school, for instance).
MSM is somewhat difficult to find in a completely pure product as the largest supplier to the industry routinely coats their product with silica dioxide, a flowing agent that may be somewhat surprisingly familiar to you as sand. As a manufacturer, we have to specify to the raw material supplier that we want it uncoated when ordering, and then still have check to make sure they sent the pure product. If you already have some MSM products, check the label in the “other ingredients” section. It is common to see "magnesium stearate" listed (the most commonly used flowing agent). If you also see “silica dioxide”, you now know where the raw material came from! In contrast, the products we offer are all completely additive-free.
Dosages vary according to your requirements. Generally speaking, the recommendation for general good health is 2-3 grams (2,000 - 3,000 mg) a day, and you’ll read in the literature suggestions of anywhere from 5-10 gm or more for more troubling conditions. MSM is known as one of the least toxic of nutrients, so there really is not much concern about taking too much. It also is not associated with the problems some people have with sulfites and sulfa drugs. Since MSM seems to facilitate the body releasing stored toxins, it is advisable to drink extra water when you are taking it. Because it is so good for the skin, you will also find it in skincare products (see our Skincare section) and used in spas. You can even turn your bath into a “hot sulfur springs” by adding MSM powder to it! There is some thought that MSM is better absorbed in the presence of vitamin C, so some of the products you will find here have vitamin C bundled with the MSM in case you aren’t already getting vitamin C from your diet or in a supplement. If you are getting vitamin C already, then you might be better advised to just get straight MSM. You will also find in this section several combination products that utilize MSM. You will be able to read more about each product as you get to it. There was also an overview of this area on the Supplements page in the discussion of Joint Formulas.
*note these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA
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