Evidence supporting the use of: Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
For the body system: Muscles

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organosulfur compound that has gained popularity as a dietary supplement for joint health and muscle recovery. Scientific research investigating MSM’s effects on the muscles body system—particularly in the context of exercise recovery, muscle soreness, and inflammation—has yielded some promising but limited results. Several randomized controlled trials suggest that MSM supplementation may help reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in healthy adults. For example, a 2012 study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness found that MSM supplementation led to reduced muscle soreness after strenuous exercise. Other studies have demonstrated modest reductions in markers of inflammation (such as C-reactive protein) and subjective reports of muscle pain following exercise. The proposed mechanisms include MSM’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may help mitigate muscle tissue damage and promote faster recovery. However, the overall body of evidence remains limited by small sample sizes, short study durations, and inconsistent methodologies. While MSM is widely used by athletes and individuals seeking improved muscle recovery, the scientific validation is not robust, and large-scale, well-controlled studies are needed to confirm its efficacy. Thus, while the use of MSM for muscle support is partially justified by available scientific evidence, the strength of this evidence is moderate at best.

More about Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
More about Muscles

Other ingredients that support Muscles

Acetyl L-carnitine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
amylopectin
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
beet
beta-alanine
bovine
bovine liver
branched-chain amino acids
bromelain
caffeine
calcium
cherry
chloride
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
d-alpha tocopherol
devil's claw
dong quai root
fish protein
forskohlii root
l-isoleucine
iron
kale
L-alanine
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-arginine
l-carnitine
L-carnosine
L-citrulline
L-glutamine
L-glycine
L-leucine
L-ornithine
L-proline
L-taurine
L-threonine
L-valine
magnesium
malic acid
maltodextrin
maltose
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Milk
nicotinamide riboside
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Peppermint
phosphorus
phytocannabinoids
potassium
protein
quinoa
rhizome
sardines
black ginger
soybean
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spinach
spirulina
Tongkat ali
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Water
Watermelon
Whey protein
white willow
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
suma
squawvine
sodium salt
solomon's seal
siler root
eucommia
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
guelder rose
polyphenols
trace minerals
Wintergreen
camphor oil
Menthol oil
wheat germ
Wood betony
herbal blend (proprietary)
Algae
chickpea protein
brown rice protein
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
arnica
2a, 17a-dimethyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androstan-3-one
arginine alpha ketoglutarate
animal Tissue
antler
arginine creatine
Arginine nitrate
arachidonic acid
Arginine malate
Arginine aspartate
avocado
Anserina
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
Acetylcholine
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
Arginine alpha-ketoisocaproate
Arginine silicate
animal protein
blue cohosh
Biopeptide
beta-hydroxybutyrate
bicarbonate
Beef Protein
black galingale
beef
Beef liver
bovine protein
black gram
Black willow
ba ji tian
bee products
banana
BCAA
chia seed
casein
cardarine
Chinese mountain ant
Carnosine
citrate malate
Cyathula
Curcuminoid
cramp bark
chuchuhuasi
Cyanotis vaga
coca
Coconut Water
Cetylated Fatty Acids
creatine
chicken
Curcuma
C-phycocyanin
Cyanotis arachnoides
DL-Methionine
deer velvet
date
D-Ribose
dextrose
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Dipsacus
Dipeptide
epicatechin
epistane
egg
Erythrina
elk antler
Eurycoma Longifolia
emu oil
ecdysteroids
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
ecdysterone
essential oil blend
Egg protein
fish
fatty acids
fibroblast growth factor
guanidinoacetic acid
Ginsenosides
Glutamine
Growth factors
GMS-ribose
glucose
Glycocyamine
Glycerol
Glycine
guanidinopropionic acid (GPA )
hydroxymethylbutyrate
Haematococcus pluvialis
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
hairy arnica
isomaltulose
Iporuru
Isoleucine
icariin
ketosterones
Legume protein
Lentil
Lavandin
Lentein
leucine alpha-ketoglutarate
lactalbumin
lipids
Mineral blend
maral root
Maslinic acid
Mineral ascorbate
Marjoram
Marine protein
Milk Protein
Methylxanthine
NADH
Ornithine
Phosphocreatine
Puerain
Phytoecdysteroid
Plankton
Propionyl-L-Carnitine
proteolytic enzymes
Phosphate Salt
pyruvate
Phosphatidic Acid
Pea
potash
Peptides
Qin Jiao
Quinoa Protein
rue
Rhaponticum
ribose
Shellfish
Salmon Oil
Safed musli
salt
Soy Protein
Sida cordifolia
Shilajit
Terpenoids
Tripeptide
Taxillus sutchuenensis
Turkesterone
Trichopus zeylanicus
Taurine
Tynanthus panurensis
Tribulus Terrestris
Ursolic Acid
Vegetable Protein
Viburnum
Withanolides

Other body systems supported by Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

Hair
Immune System
Joints
Muscles
Skin
Structural System