Sulfur plays a role in many biochemical processes within the body, such as maintaining connective tissues, detoxification, and antibody formation in the immune system.  Sulfur has been used medicinally for a wide variety of complaints, from allergies to constipation to musculoskeletal pain and arthritis, and topically for would healing and skin rashes.  For HIV positive people, supplementing with sulfur compounds may help slow the loss of immune function.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organic compound of sulfur that occurs naturally in many foods, especially cow’s milk.  Because sulfur compounds are found in greater concentrations in animal proteins than in vegetables, vegans are at greater risk for sulfur deficiency.  Persons who exercise heavily may also require additional dietary sulfur in order to prevent and lessen the inflammatory effects of overtraining.  MSM has also been found in studies to have a beneficial therapeutic effect on interstitial cystitis and allergic rhinitis.

Because of the pivotal role of sulfur in building connective tissues, MSM has been examined for its efficacy in treating various forms of arthritis.  A 12-week, placebo-controlled double-blind study found that MSM alone or taken in conjunction with glucosamine improved symptoms of knee pain from osteoarthritis.  Another interesting potential therapeutic effect that MSM has shown in studies is as a “chemopreventive" element against the onset of cancer. 

MSM was found in a study to aid the ability to induce cell differentiation.  Differentiation refers to a cell becoming a more specialized type of cell and is used as a means of measuring the progression of cancer.  MSM affects cellular differentiation by “invoking the activation of gene functions that lead to differentiation, thereby dismantling the cellular capacity for proliferation” (Alt. Med. Rev.)  In short, when cells become differentiated and their function more specialized, it is more difficult for a potential carcinogen to hijack those cells and use them to grow quickly into malignant tumors.

MSM plus Molybdenum by Seeking Health provides safe and easy to absorb MSM along with 25 micrograms of Molybdenum.  Molybdenum is an essential micronutrient that is broken down into molybdoenzymes within the body.  These molybdenum cofactors are an essential part of many biochemical processes, including the metabolism and utilization of sulfur compounds.  Consult with your healthcare provider to find out if a dietary sulfur supplement is right for you.

To find a holistically-inclined doctor near you, start here:

• American Association of Naturopathic Physicians

• American Academy of Environmental Medicine

References:

1.    Parcell, Stephen.  “Sulfur in Human Nutrition and Applications in Medicine,” Alternative Medicine Review, vol. 7 (1): 2002.

2.    Ameye, Laurent G and Chee, Winnie SS.  “Osteoarthritis and nutrition. From nutraceuticals to functional foods: a systematic review of the scientific evidence,” Arthritis Research & Therapy vol. 8: 2006.

3.    N/A.  “MSM Monograph,” Alternative Medicine Review, vol. 8 (4): 2003.

4.    N/A.  “Molybdenum Monograph,” Alternative Medicine Review, vol. 11 (2): 2006.

5.    Zhang, Yan and Gladyshev, Vadim N. “Molybdoproteomes and Evolution of Molybdenum Utilization,” Journal of Molecular Biology, vol. 379 (4): 2008.