By Stanley Jacob, M.D., and Rodney Benjamin, director of technical development, Bergstrom Nutrition (February 2011).

It seems as if everywhere we turn, another authority is telling us we need to exercise more. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans advises adults to exercise at least two and a half hours weekly¹; Harvard Medical School reports that five of every six Americans do not meet weekly recommendations for cardiovascular and muscle-strengthening activity².

And, at the same time they are exercising less, Americans are aging and they are gaining weight. So it is inevitable that Johnny-come-lately jocks are experiencing more joint paint, and that they are being injured more often. They’re looking for relief, and that’s been a boon for exercise recovery products, many of which incorporate MSM (methylsulfonylmethane).

MSM is a naturally-occurring nutrient that contains sulfur and methyl groups. It frequently is found in joint support products. Studies (Usha et al 2005³, Kim et al 2005⁴) have shown that MSM supports overall joint health and helps preserve normal range of motion.

MSM has been used for over a decade by professional athletes for its nutritional support of their overall performance. Although few of us think of ourselves athletes, many people lead active lifestyles and most would welcome decreased joint paint and more rapid recovery.

Vigorous exercise can cause oxidative stress. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals generated by exercise can accumulate, potentially causing tissue damage, and may contribute to the development of age-related chronic joint disease. Growing evidence suggests MSM is effective in reducing ROS and free radicals in individuals subjected to oxidative stress. Studies by Hasagawa et al 2004, 2005⁵ indicate that MSM aids in short term recovery by reducing inflammatory immune responses and swelling.

The influence of MSM on the production of ROS compounds, as evaluated by Bielke⁸ , suggests an ability to prevent, or at least to moderate, the production of excess ROS at an intercellular level. As mentioned by Jacob and Appleton in MSM: The Definitive Guide⁶, MSM is not a significant free radical scavenger.

In one of the best-recognized studies of MSM efficacy in joint health (Kim 2005⁴), two secondary compounds, urine malondialdehyde (MDA) and homocysteine, were measured at baseline and at 12 weeks. The MSM test subjects showed a decrease in urine MDA levels significantly different from placebos, suggesting positive changes in oxidative stress. Homocysteine levels also decreased significantly. These decreases suggest a potential role for MSM in supporting metabolic processes requiring methylation such as antioxidant capacities.

A study by DeSilvestro et al 2008⁷ showed MSM increased glutathione levels up to 78% in mice. Glutathione is a compound recognized by trainers, athletes and scientific experts for its ability to enhance exercise recovery. A study by Sastre et al 1992⁹ showed dramatic increase in oxidized glutathione immediately after exhaustive physical exercise. This study also found that glutathione or other antioxidant administration after physical exercise is effective in preventing oxidation of the blood glutathione pool.

Such studies are part of an increasing body of evidence supporting the ability of MSM to improve overall athletic performance and exercise recovery. MSM presents a strong safety profile and may be formulated into sport supplements, functional foods and beverages, with the potential to reach a growing consumer market. Bergstrom Nutrition’s GRAS MSM can be incorporated into meal supplement and meal replacement foods, fruit smoothie-type drinks, and fruit-flavored thirst quencher-type beverages.

These factors – and the unique opportunities afforded by a growing societal awareness of the benefits of increased sport activity suggest the need for further investigation of the potential mechanisms and benefits of MSM in the role of human exercise recovery.  Additional studies addressing OptiMSM^®’s potential benefits are scheduled for 2011. These studies will be performed in a healthy adult population and may provide additional evidence supporting MSM ability to enhance active and healthy lifestyles. 

ABOUT OPTIMSM® and BERGSTROM NUTRITION
Bergstrom Nutrition produces the world’s only GRAS designated proprietary and patented forms of MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) from its GMP compliant, ISO 9001:2008 registered and MSM-dedicated production facility, exceeding industry standards for optimal purity and product consistency.  The Vancouver, Washington-based company pioneered the use of MSM for human consumption in 1989.  For information on Bergstrom Nutrition call 1.888.733.5676 or visit www.bergstromnutrition.com. 

ABOUT GEE LAWSON LTD
A supplier and distributor of active ingredients mainly to the Health Food Supplement and Food & Beverage industries. We source raw materials worldwide seeking the best in terms of quality, legal status with full traceability to meet your local requirements. In-house PSL testing for every batch received as well as other controls to meet our strict Quality approval system. For more information please visit www.geelawson.co.uk  and our dedicated OptiMSM® webpage.

Gee Lawson Ltd is the sole authorised distributor for OptiMSM® in Europe.

Please click here to request more information.

References
1. Department of Health and Human Services, 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
2. Harvard Heart Letter, Harvard Medical School, October 6, 2010, “Americans Lag on Exercise”
3. Usha PR, Naidu MU, Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India, 2004, “Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis.
4. Kim LS, Axelrod, LJ, Howard P; Buratovich N, Waters RF, Southwest College Research Institute, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, Tempe, AZ, March 2006.
5. Takashi Hasegawa, Sugi Ueno, Shoichiro Kumamoto, Yasunobu Yoshikai Hasagawa, Japan Pharmacology & Therapeutics, July 2004.
6. MSM: The Definitive Guide, Jacob and Appleton, 2003, Freedom Press.
7. DeSilvestro, Robert A., Disilvestro David J., Disilvestro Daniel J., (2008) “Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) Intake in Mice Produces Elevated Liver Glutathione and Partially Protects Against Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Injurty”. The FASB Journal. 22:445.8.
8. Beilke, M.A., Collins-Lech, C. and Sohnle, P.G. (1987) “Effects of dimethyl sulfoxide on the oxidative function of human nutraphils”. Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine 110:91-96
9. Sastre, J., Asensi, M., Gasco, E., Pallardo, J.A., Furukawa, T., Vina, J., “ Exhaustive Physical Exercise Causes Oxidation of Glutathione Status in Blood: Prevention by Antioxidant Administration”. American Journal of Physiology – Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, Vol5, Issue 5, 992-R995

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