Methylsulfonylmethane – MSM

MSM is a naturally occurring, organic sulfur-containing compound related to DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide). MSM is found in small amounts throughout nature. Animal studies have shown that sulfur from oral supplements of MSM is incorporated into body proteins. MSM may be useful in the treatment of osteoarthritis in animals. Dose appears to be around 250-500 mg. per day. More research is needed before reliable recommendations for MSM supplementation can be made. Side-effects can include diarrhea, skin rash, headache and fatigue. It’s use in arthritis appears to be based on animal studies which indicate that joints affected by arthritis have a lower sulfur content. In people a preliminary report with people with osteoarthritis MSM reduced pain after 6 weeks.

The use of MSM for the treatment or prevention of Familial Shar-Pei Fever cannot be recommended at this time in my estimation. Certainly its use to replace colchicine as a preventative for amyloidosis is without merit.

Jeff Vidt, DVM (3/10/03)