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

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Synopsis

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

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a sulfur-containing compound found in various foods and sold as a dietary supplement, most often promoted for joint health. The use of MSM for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is primarily based on its purported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. While MSM is more commonly discussed in the context of osteoarthritis, some small-scale studies and animal models suggest it may help reduce inflammation and pain, which are central to RA symptoms. For example, a few randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that MSM supplementation can decrease subjective pain levels and improve function in people with joint disorders, though most of these studies focus on osteoarthritis rather than RA specifically.

The scientific evidence for MSM’s efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis is limited and not robust. There are no large, high-quality clinical trials directly evaluating MSM in RA patients. Mechanistically, MSM is thought to decrease inflammatory cytokine production and oxidative stress, which could theoretically benefit individuals with RA. However, the bulk of scientific validation comes from laboratory and animal studies, not from comprehensive human trials in the RA population. Therefore, while there is some scientific rationale and preliminary evidence to support the use of MSM for joint health and inflammation, the direct evidence for its use in rheumatoid arthritis is modest at best.

In summary, MSM’s use for rheumatoid arthritis is scientifically based, but the overall evidence is weak (rated 2 out of 5), and more research—especially large, well-designed clinical trials—is necessary to establish its efficacy and safety for this specific condition.

More about methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
More about Rheumatoid Arthritis

Other ingredients used for Rheumatoid Arthritis

adrenal cortex
Alfalfa
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-pinene
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
borage oil
celery
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
fisetin
fish protein
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gamma tocopherol
genistein
ginger
green lipped mussel
krill oil
luteolin
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
myristoleate
omega-3 fatty acids
phospholipids
resveratrol
rose hips
sardines
slippery elm bark
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Urolithin A
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
watercress
white willow
alpinia galangal
smilax
fumaria parviflora
Szechuan lovage
amber
teasel
guelder rose
gentiana macrophylla
Abies spectabilis
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
clematis
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
Aralia
Akebia
Antler
Apigenin
Abrus
Andrographolide
Amentoflavone
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
Actaea spicata
Arjunic Acid
Apocynin
Arctiin
Astragalin
Boswellic Acid
Baicalein
Bogbean
Boswellia
Black willow
Barbasco
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
Baicalin
Black Hellebore
Bee venom
Bergenia
Cod Liver Oil
Cortisol
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cyanidin
Chinese Fleeceflower
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chuchuhuasi
Cetylated Fatty Acids
C-Phycocyanin
Cannabidiol
Carnosic acid
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Evening Primrose Oil
Fat liver oil
Fructoborate
Flemingia philippinensis
Frankincense
Flavanols
Flavones
Ginkgetin
Gypenoside
Horse Gram
Hyperoside
Hellebore
Hydroxytyrosol
Harpagoside
Jatropha macrantha
Kaempferol
Mangiferin
Myricetin
Madder
Marine fat
Nobiletin
Osthole
Puerarin
Piper chaba
Phaeophyceae
Proteoglycans
Polydatin
Polyunsaturated Fat
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Qin Jiao
Silkmoth
Schizochytrium Oil
Schizochytrium
Salicin
Salmon Oil
Salvianolic acid
Sinomenium acutum
Semecarpus anacardium
saponins
Shilajit
Stearidonic acid
Sulforaphane
Taxillus chinensis
Tanshinone
Uncaria
Ursolic Acid
Withanolides