Sulfur is associated with an unpleasant smell. Yet, in natural medicine, this mineral is considered an essential building block for many bodily functions. To ensure your organism is in top shape and can produce enzymes, amino acids, and other endogenous substances in sufficient quantities, it requires sulfur, e.g., in the form of the organic sulfur compound MSM. Since your body cannot produce sulfur itself, you must obtain sulfur-containing compounds like MSM through food or take them as supplements in the form of powders, capsules, or tablets. Here is a summary of the most important information about sulfur and MSM. What is MSM and what is it used for?
What is MSM?
MSM – these three letters stand for the organic sulfur compound methylsulfonylmethane, without which there would be no endogenous substances such as enzymes and proteins. A sufficiently high sulfur level is therefore crucial for growth, fitness, and well-being. Because of the connection between sulfur and the function of the skin as well as the growth of hair and nails, MSM also plays an important role in an attractive appearance. You could say: just as the organic sulfur compound gives shape to enzymes and amino acids internally, MSM also helps you stay in good shape externally.
Who discovered basic sulfur?
The healing powers of sulfur were already being used in ancient Rome and by the ancient Greeks. Springs with sulfur-containing water were used for rheumatic complaints and served to increase general well-being. However, sulfur was not classified as a chemical element until the end of the 18th century by the French chemist Antoine Laurent de Lavoisier. The first general anesthesia using sulfur ether took place in the 19th century. And in the 20th century, sulfur was already being used medically in the form of sulfonamides in ointments.
What is MSM used for?
In the 19th century, this mineral also served as a kind of precursor to antibiotics and was used against bacterial pathogens. Furthermore, numerous studies discovered the connection between sulfur and the formation of enzymes and hormones. Scientists also recognized the benefits of the substance for alleviating skin diseases. In the 1960s, American doctors Robert Herschler and Stanley Jacob delved even deeper into the subject. Their studies on dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) pointed to various therapeutic benefits of organic sulfur compounds.
What role does MSM play in alternative medicine?
Naturopaths and proponents of alternative healing methods, in particular, hold the organic sulfur compound in high regard. It works by regulating at the molecular level. A holistic view of the human being is central to this: the person is not a machine where you simply press fixed buttons without considering other factors. In natural medicine, MSM is never viewed as a great miracle cure or the sole cause of healing, but rather as one factor among others. In alternative medicine, MSM is considered antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and is therefore used, among other things, for the musculoskeletal system and against inflammatory processes – often in combination with glucosamine and chondroitin.
What basic properties does MSM have?
Naturopaths also value MSM for its alkalizing effects, which are intended to counteract widespread acidification of the body. An acidic environment is considered a factor that makes the organism more susceptible to infections and allergies. In natural medicine, MSM is often used with vitamin C:
- for the immune system
- for fitness and mobility, as a basic substance for joints, cartilage, muscles, and bones
- for attractiveness and beauty, as a basic substance for skin, hair, nails, and connective tissue
