Get Rid of Pain with MSM!
   
August 14, 2009


Dear Reader,

If you're in any kind of pain, this supplement could change your life.  It's methylsulfonylmethane, better known in the supplement world as MSM.  I'm talking about pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia, headaches, muscle soreness, shingles, scleroderma, interstitial cystitis, tendinitis, bursitis, inflammatory bowel disorders . . . or almost any other kind of pain known to humankind.

MSM is the miracle pain remedy James Coburn made famous when he was interviewed in 1999 after winning a Best Supporting Actor Oscar at age 70. His acting career had been put on hold for 15 years due to debilitating Rheumatoid Arthritis. It was MSM that he thanked for enabling him to start working again and win the prize that was the highlight of his career.

And this is one pain remedy that is completely safe. Not only is MSM one of the safest molecules known and virtually without adverse side effects, if you take MSM to reduce pain, you are likely to get unexpected benefits: stronger nails and hair; relief from allergies, respiratory and chronic skin problems; improved gastrointestinal and immune functions; and faster wound healing including the removal of scars and sunburn damage. MSM has been shown to inhibit cancer, kill parasites, alleviate leg cramps, help with lupus, and increase energy.  If that's not enough for you, it also supports detoxification pathways and reduces the risk of heart disease!


The Magic of Sulfur
. . . could deficiencies be rampant?

Sulfur comprises about 1/3 of MSM by weight, and it is this element that provides much of the magic in the MSM miracle.

One of the most abundant minerals in the human body, sulfur is absolutely necessary for normal growth and repair. A component of several amino acids, certain vitamins and coenzymes, insulin and bile acids, sulfur is present in enzymes and proteins, especially in the skin, nails and hair.

It is also an important part of the cartilage which protects our joints, preventing arthritic pain. Whereas glucosamine is used to make up the building blocks of joint cartilage, these building blocks are linked together in chains by bonds made from sulfur. It is these sulfur bonds that make cartilage strong, firm and resilient. 

Sulfur is an important constituent of cell membranes. Where deficient, cell walls become hard and stiff, hindering the flow of fluids into and out of the cell. This prevents toxins from getting out and nutrients from getting in. It also causes pressure build-up in cells, producing inflammation and pain in joints and elsewhere in the body.   

Sulfur has had a long history as a healing substance. Sulfur hot springs have eased pain and promoted healing since ancient times. Garlic's primary benefits are related to its sulfur compounds; and sulfur is one of the components of glutathione, the most important antioxidant in the human body.

Given its importance, it is surprising that relatively little scientific attention has been paid to sulfur. Although it is considered an essential nutrient, no dietary requirement has ever been specified for it. It is assumed that a diet adequate in protein will supply enough.

Yet there are those who believe that deficiencies in sulfur are rampant, and that pain and disability may be symptoms of this deficiency. While present in fresh food, it is extremely perishable and can be destroyed by even minimal processing, such as cutting, washing and drying foods, and even more so by cooking. Mineral deficient soils compound the problem. 


MSM:  Effective!
. . . trusted by veterinarians for more than 60 years   

Although MSM has been researched since the 1940s, and used successfully by veterinarians and pioneering alternative health practitioners for almost as long, published scientific research until quite recently has been either in a test tube or on animals. However recent human studies, primarily on using MSM to treat osteoarthritis, have been very encouraging.   

In a 2006 study, arthritics took 3 grams of MSM twice a day for 12 weeks. By the end of the study, pain had been reduced 25%. An earlier study got significantly better results using a dose 2,250 mg per day:an 80% reduction in pain over 6 weeks. The differences are probably due to differences in the quality of the MSM used in the studies.

In a third study, participants took either 1500 mg/day of glucosamine, 1500 mg/day of MSM, or the two together. At the end of 12 weeks, pain in the glucosamine group was reduced 63%; in the MSM group 52%; and with the combination 79%.  Also the combination group experienced quicker relief from pain and inflammation than either of the other groups.   

Other studies have found 2,600 mg/day helpful in alleviating seasonal allergies, an MSM and silymarin cream helpful in managing rosacea, and that an MSM nasal spray reduced snoring.


MSM:  Safe!
  . . . found in mother's milk

Because it is present in small amounts in many foods, and made in the body from amino acids like methionine and cysteine, MSM is not a molecule that is foreign to the human body. MSM is even found in human breast milk. 

In more than 60 years of research and use in humans and animals, there have been no published reports of allergic reactions or negative interactions with any drug, herb or nutrient. Some anecdotal reports of mild side effects, like loose stools, upset stomach or skin rashes, have cleared up as soon as MSM was discontinued. I suspect these were reactions to impurities in the MSM supplement and not to the MSM itself. 

When safety tests are done, scientists determine how much of a given substance is lethal to animals. But with MSM they gave up testing when 20 grams of MSM per kilogram of body weight failed to kill any animals.  MSM has a toxicity rating similar to pure water.

However even too much pure water can be harmful, and although some people take up to 100 grams of MSM a day (1,000 mg = 1 gram) without an apparent problem, we don't know what the long-term effects of such large doses might be. For most people 500 mg/day is sufficient.  Specific conditions may warrant 1,000 to 6,000 mg/day.

We are always looking for your feedback on how we can help you improve your health or if you'd like to see something special in our newsclips.  If you would be so kind as to let us know how we can help you reach your Ultimate Health goals, send an email to us at mail@beyondhealth.com.

Sincerely,
Ray Signature
Raymond Francis
Beyond Health
www.beyondhealth.com