Q. What does MSM do for the body?

A. MSM plays many different, but equally essential roles in the human body. MSM is a required structural mineral for healthy hair, skin, and nails. It is also necessary to help maintain the flexibility and elasticity of most all bodily tissues and is needed to maintain cell membrane permeability. Proper permeability allows cells to absorb nutrients and expel waste. MSM is necessary for the healing and repair of most bodily tissues-especially those at risk for repeated damage-including your skin, blood vessels, organs, and joints.

Q. Are there any food sources of MSM?

A. Yes. MSM occurs naturally in the environment, is present in rainwater, and is absorbed by plants. So small amounts of MSM are available in fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and even unpasteurized milk. Unfortunately, MSM is chemically altered and destroyed when foods are processed, heated, or dehydrated. So your most reliable dietary source for adequate MSM intake is through supplementation.

Q. Who should take MSM?

A. Because organic sulfur is a basic component for overall human wellness, everyone can benefit from supplementing their diets with OptiMSM. Please consult your physician before using MSM if you are pregnant, while nursing or for children under 2 years of age.

Q. Has MSM been scientifically researched? 

A. Yes. Dr. Stanley Jacob and his associates have been working with DMSO and MSM for more than 30 years. During their research, they discovered that a portion of the DMSO was converted to MSM in the body. MSM turned out to be a more stable metabolite of DMSO with similar properties. There were an estimated 50,000 articles published on DMSO, but only a handful have ever been repeated with MSM. Physicians and other health care providers have relied primarily on previous DMSO studies, lower animal studies with MSM, as well as MSM case studies and anecdotal reports.

Q. Is MSM safe?

A. Very safe. MSM is non-toxic and non-allergenic. However, taking amounts greater than your body’s ability to absorb it may result in loose stools. MSM is non-allergenic. In the many years MSM has been researched, no significant allergic reactions have been reported. Although we recommend informing your doctor you are supplementing with MSM, MSM has no contraindications with pharmaceutical drugs or over-the-counter medications except for blood thinners such as Heparin.

Q. How much MSM should I take?

A. Follow the directions recommended on the products you buy. Dosage is generally in the range of 2-8 grams per day in 2-3 divided doses. If you do not experience at least the beginnings of the results you seek in a matter of a few weeks, feel free to experiment with larger dosage amounts. For more definitive recommendations, read Dr. Jacob’s Book, The Miracle of MSM: The Natural Solution for Pain.

Q. How do I know the MSM I’m taking is OptiMSM?

A. MSM products made with OptiMSM are marked with the distinctive OptiMSM logo. This logo is licensed by Cardinal Nutrition only to high-quality manufacturers of finished MSM products. MSM INTERNATIONAL GROUP is one of the largest producers of MSM products on the in Asia Market.

Q. What makes OptiMSM superior to other kinds of MSM?

A. OptiMSM is the original MSM available in the United States patented as safe for human biological use. If you don’t see the OptiMSM logo, you can’t be certain you are getting 99.9% pure, safe, and effective OptiMSM. Learn more about the OptiMSM difference.

Q. Is sulfur the same as sulfa drugs and sulfites?

A. Do not get confused between the two. MSM is organic sulfur and is a nutrient. Sulfa-based drugs do not occur naturally and are used for the same purposes as antibiotics. While many people are allergic to sulfa drugs, no similar reactions have ever been reported with MSM. A third type of sulfur, the yellow elemental sulfur from chemistry class, can also be toxic to some individuals. MSM presents organic sulfur in a form that the body can readily assimilate.