Evidence supporting the use of: Methylsulfonylmethane
For the health condition: Fibromyalgia Syndrome

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 1

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a sulfur-containing compound commonly used as a dietary supplement for various conditions, including musculoskeletal pain. Its use in supporting or treating Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is based primarily on its purported anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. However, scientific evidence specifically evaluating MSM for fibromyalgia is extremely limited. A small number of pilot studies and open-label trials have explored MSM’s effects on chronic pain and inflammation, with some reporting modest benefits in general pain reduction and improvement in physical function. However, these studies often suffer from methodological weaknesses such as small sample sizes, lack of placebo controls, and short durations.

To date, only one small pilot study (Kim et al., 2006) assessed MSM in combination with other supplements in fibromyalgia patients, finding some improvement in symptoms, but the study design makes it impossible to attribute the effect to MSM alone. No large, high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have specifically examined MSM for fibromyalgia. Systematic reviews acknowledge the lack of rigorous evidence and recommend further research before MSM can be considered an evidence-based therapy for FMS. Therefore, while there is some preliminary scientific interest, the overall quality and quantity of evidence supporting MSM for fibromyalgia is poor, and its use is not well justified based on current scientific standards.

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