Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane (MSM) is a natural source of biologically active organic sulfur, a molecule that is found in food, plants, and every cell of the body and is often referred to as the beauty mineral. Organic sulfur is critical to the production of proteins and stabilization of the connective tissue matrix of cartilage, bones, tendons, and ligaments, enzymes for chemical reactions, and for natural antioxidant and free radical scavenger compounds, which protect the body from destructive oxidative stress and toxins from our food, water, and environment 1,2,3 Researchers have discovered that sulfur is important for the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, such as chondroitin sulfate and keratan sulfate, and that it prevents certain enzymes such as collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase from destroying healthy cartilage tissue.4 One-third of MSM is organic sulfur. For example, 1,000 mg of MSM contains 333.33 mg of organic sulfur. 5 MSM is completely safe and non toxic. In fact, individuals have taken as much as 68,000 mg for 30 days with no side effects. Researchers have determined that it has the same toxicity level as water. 6

Sulfites and Sulfa Drugs
While organic sulfur from MSM has been found to be necessary to maintain the stability and health of the body, sulfites and sulfa drugs are inorganic forms of sulfur which offer little benefit and can be harmful. For example, Sulfa drugs causes the body to excrete two or three times the normal amount of vitamin C. 7 And, sulfites which are used as preservatives in food and drink such as dried fruit and wine, destroys B1 causing asthma attacks and allergic reactions.8 If the body contains enough of the trace mineral molybdenum it will convert the sulfites to harmless sulfates. If molybdenum levels are too low or lacking then the key enzyme sulfite oxidase which is responsible for the conversion cannot be activated.9 Even individuals who are very sensitive to inorganic forms of sulfur such as sulfites and sulfa drugs have received excellent benefits from the organic form of sulfur derived from MSM.

Sulfur Found Lacking in Those with Arthritis
As far back as the 1930's researchers have shown that sulfur is needed for the formation of connective tissue and healthy cartilage and synovial fluid production.10,11 Sulfur concentrations in arthritics are below normal.10

Observational Study: While the cysteine content of fingernails in normals is 12%, in arthritics it is only 8.9% (Sullivan MX and Hess WC, Cystine content of finger nails in arthritis. J Bone Joint Surgery 16, 185-188, 1935) Melvin L. Werbach, M.D., Nutritional Influences on Illness A Sourcebook of Clinical Research (1993): 467

Arthritis Patients Improved When Sulfur Was Given
When arthritic patients were given sulfur their condition improved.11 Senturia BD, Results in Treatment of chronic arthritis and rheumatoid conditions with colloidal sulfur. J Bone Joint Surgery 16, 119-125, 1934

Sulfur Found Lacking in Those with Rheumatoid Arthritis
It’s been proven that individuals with rheumatoid arthritis have lower tissue and blood levels of sulfur.

Observational Study: Significantly lower sulfur values were found in type IIA and IIB muscle fibers of RA patients as compared to controls, perhaps because of a decreased amount of sulfur-rich proteins. Wroblewski R etal. Electron probe x-ray microanalysis of human skeletal muscle involved in rheumatoid arthritis Histochemistry 57(1):1-8, 1978) Melvin L. Werbach, M.D., Nutritional Influences on Illness A Sourcebook of Clinical Research (1993): 575

MSM has Been Proven Safe and Effective
This important mineral nutrient has been studied for over twenty years and has been found to be safe, natural, and most effective in treating many types of pain and inflammatory conditions without serious side effects ¹² including:

Osteoarthritis	Chronic Headaches
Rheumatoid arthritis	Chronic back pain
Bursitis and tendinitis	Heartburn
Fibromyalgia	TMJ
Carpal tunnel syndrome	Post-traumatic pain and inflammation
Muscle Pain	Sports Injuries

Sulfur and Selenium for Antioxdant Protection
The cells of he body are being attacked by free radicals from the oxygen that we breathe and our metabolism. If left unchecked inflammation can result and cell damage, including cartilage cells. Over time the accumulated damage will produce joint pain and stiffness and eventual destruction of the joint itself. The imporant mineral selenium and sulfur combine with proteins to make selenoproteins, such as the four glutathione peroxidase enzymes (classical GPx1, gastrointestinal GPx2, plasma GPx3, phospholipid hydroperoxide GPx4), which are important antioxidant enzymes which protect cells from free radicals. These free radicals can also contribute to diseases such as heart and cancer.