Evidence supporting the use of: Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
For the health condition: Arthritis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a sulfur-containing compound commonly found in dietary supplements marketed for joint health and arthritis. Scientific evidence supporting its use is limited but exists, primarily from small-scale randomized controlled trials and preliminary studies. MSM is believed to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which may help reduce pain and improve physical function in people with osteoarthritis (OA).

A few clinical trials have investigated MSM for osteoarthritis, particularly of the knee. For example, a 2006 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Kim et al., Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 2006) with 50 participants found that MSM supplementation (3 g twice daily for 12 weeks) significantly improved pain and physical function compared to placebo, though the magnitude of improvement was modest. Another trial in 2011 (Usha & Naidu, Clin Drug Investig, 2004) also reported modest benefits in pain and joint function.

However, the overall quality of evidence is low due to small sample sizes, short durations, and heterogeneity in study design and outcome measures. Major medical organizations generally do not recommend MSM as a first-line therapy for arthritis due to insufficient high-quality evidence. Adverse effects reported are generally mild, including gastrointestinal discomfort.

In summary, there is some scientific rationale and preliminary clinical evidence for MSM in alleviating arthritis symptoms, especially osteoarthritis, but these findings require confirmation in larger, longer-term trials. Thus, the evidence supporting MSM for arthritis is limited and ranks at about 2 on a 0–5 scale.

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