MSM Suppliment

[Marin Mom]

Does anyone take this powder and have noticed benefits? I seem to have an allergic reaction but not sure if I can trace it to this.

Thanks-

Cindy

[VeggieMel]

MSM has helped my hair growth a lot. I had a period of time when lots was falling out. I hope you're not allergic to it!

[greenfeline]

VeggieMel: How much do you take to notice a difference in your hair?

[queenfluff]

I take it. What is the allergic reaction you are having?

MSM is a natural organic sulfur. I don't think it is the sort you can be allergic too though. I know people can be allergic to sulfur drugs.

FYI, when you first start taking it, you might have some stomach upset. This is just your body getting used to it. (most people are extremely deficient in MSM). Start at low levels and work your way up to higher ones.


For hair, a higher dosage will help hair ( talking at least a tablespoon a day) This depends on how deficient you are in MSM to begin with though.

[VeggieMel]

Hi greenfeline,

I take 2-3 TBs every morning.

VeggieMel

[Mialsse]

I just started taking msm on this juice feast I'm doing (day 5), and haven't had any problems with it so far. I only add about 1/2 - 1 tsp to a couple of my juices a day, but I'll work up fto a couple of TBS a day. I'm hoping to see some great improvements in skin and hair!!!

[Gittel]

Is there some kind of test to determine if one is deficient in MSM?

Queenfluff, are you referring to an allergy to sulfa drugs? I broke out in hives after taking sulfa as a child. Haven't had it since.

Gittel

[queenfluff]

Is there some kind of test to determine if one is deficient in MSM?

Queenfluff, are you referring to an allergy to sulfa drugs? I broke out in hives after taking sulfa as a child. Haven't had it since.

Gittel

Oops , yes, thanks - Sulfa drugs. I am not sure but I think those are made from sulfur though? Not sure about that but I think it is a different sort. I knew someone who was allergic to those and almost died from it.

There is no test that I know of. But basically, everyone is deficient in it (raw foodists maybe less than others) because MSM is very easily destroyed. So cooking destroys it definately.

Because the soil we grown our food in nowadays is so depleted there is not even much MSM in our raw foods. MSM should be in our soil and some of it comes from natural rain. Lots of crops not watered with rain (even our rain is not of best quality anymore) or grown inside so the soil does not contain much MSM.

So unless you grow your own food and water your crops with MSM water, you are probably deficient to some degree.

David Wolfe said that what we think of as a "protein" deficiency is really an MSM deficiency. People normally get way too much protein and never enough MSM.

Another useful tip too is that MSM stays in the body for 12 hour periods so it is good idea to split up your daily amount of MSM in half and take every 12 hours.

[SuBu]

Does MSM do anything for the quality of your skin? I take it in supplement form but wondered if putting it on my face in some coconut oil would help. My skin is very dry and my neck is more wrinkly than I can stand!

[walnutty]

For those of you who take MSM, how do you take it?

I have a big bottle here of MSM powder, but when I added it to water or juice it burned my mouth and throat. I drank it for a month and then just couldn't do it anymore. Would love to know if there is a better way to take it to avoid the burning... Thanks!

[Dylan]

About the burning sensations or allergic reactions: remember that not all MSM is created equal. It is refined through chemical processes, and some companies add excipients (anti-caking agents) which are not healthful. Perhaps you could be allergic to these? (learned this interesting bit from David Favor's website)

I've used the Jarrow, but I think it has those excipients. I much prefer "pure msm" from Trimedica, although it IS expensive. I have no idea how anyone takes multiple tablespoons of the stuff per day and a) survives the weird taste and b) can afford it.


To answer 'how do you take it,' in water with a squeeze of lemon. It may taste really weird or burn if you're putting in WAY TOO MUCH, or you are using a very impure product. The rule of thumb I think is if you can taste it and it is displeasurable, you're using too much.

[aililiu]

the sulpher of msm is not the same as sulpha drugs, and in researching msm i read that its impossible to be allergic to it or to overdose in it . :eek:

i have it sometimes in water with lemon,
or i put it in my smoothie--

does anyone know if it is just as effective this way?


one thing i notice though it that when i up my dose sometimes my skin breaks OUT :eek: i believe this is because msm is so detoxifying and if i kept with it eventually it would help my skin become very NICE.

i go through vigilant phases and then slack again :rolleyes: im not sure how good a quality mine is, either. i didnt know what to look for. its "organika" brand. anyone know?

[Marin Mom]

I do happen to be allergic to Sulfa Drugs.

This morning when I woke up my eyes were really puffy (just like my Sulfa reaction) and for the first time since raw felt really tired. And I had a strange welt/ blister on my hand! I'm fine now but didn't take any today- will try again in a few days. I was putting it in my smoothies, a little scoop at a time and didn't taste it.

It is the Jarrow brand and it DOES have the anti caking agent- very interesting- I may go for the pure stuff if I react again.

It is supposed to be great for skin. Joints too and especially if you are in to Yoga.

Thanks for the responses.

[Gittel]

Great info here! Thanks to all, especially Queenfluff. You are so informative!

Gittel

[queenfluff]

I did hear too that it was not possible to overdose on MSM - David Wolfe said this. He apparently takes up to 3 tablespoons a day ( he takes his own brand of it obviously so he can afford - but why anyone would need to take that much a day is beyond me!) I am not sure about whether or not anyone could be allergic it it though so I would be careful if you are noticing the same sort of reaction of when you take the sulfa drugs - that seems odd. It is probably the caking agent - definately avoid that stuff. Get some purer MSM if you are serious about taking it.

I guess people are allergic other things that natural like strawberries and nuts so it could be possible.

I agree with the others about making sure you get GOOD MSM. I really like David Wolfes brand but it is expensive and I have to mail order it. I tried the NOW brand once and it didn't have any taste to it so I am thinking it wasn't such a good one. Right now, I have the one from the Vitamin Shoppe and that has the bitter taste that David Wolfes brand has so I am thinking that is some better stuff.

It is said that it works best with Vitamin C (The Vitamin Shoppe even has one that includes Vitamin C if you want to it that way) so OJ would be best I guess - or Camu Camu powder is very high in C too. Camu Camu can be bought in a powder - it is kind of tarty.

I am very laxed at taking mine lately. I used to be very consistent. I put mine in my smoothie. 1/2 tbsp and I can't really taste it as much. Since it gets destroyed easily, I would put it in last and do a quick pulse to mix it in (or hand mix with a spoon).

Subu, I don't think MSM does much for dry skin. You might want to try some MSM lotion on your dry neck. But it is excellent for scars! It is said that MSM can heal scar tissue! It works great on my acne scars.

MSM can work for SO many things. Do a search online and read up on it. It is really amazing stuff. It supposedly works great for arthiritis too. I had my mom start on it when she had knee surgury for arthiritis and she said it helped.

[walnutty]

About the burning sensations or allergic reactions: remember that not all MSM is created equal. It is refined through chemical processes, and some companies add excipients (anti-caking agents) which are not healthful. Perhaps you could be allergic to these? (learned this interesting bit from David Favor's website)

To answer 'how do you take it,' in water with a squeeze of lemon. It may taste really weird or burn if you're putting in WAY TOO MUCH, or you are using a very impure product. The rule of thumb I think is if you can taste it and it is displeasurable, you're using too much.

I use Natural Zing brand. The ingredients state Methylsulfonylmethane (Organic Sulfur). It is a white powder. I was placing 1/8 tsp. in a cup of water and it was very nasty tasting and burned my mouth and throat. It's about the same price as the Sunfood Nutrition brand (David Wolfe), so I expect it is of the same quality.

Why does it burn me though? Especially at such a low dose?

[blix]

Hello,
I take sulphasalazine for my R.A. and it is very toxic, so I started taking msm a year ago, because it is very safe and it helped with the pain enormously. I don't think I was taking enough though. My husband Bob takes it. Now, about three weeks ago, we ran out of it and I sent off to herbalcom.com for some msm powder, as the tablets are getting expensive here in the UK. We have been without it all this time and my pain level has increased, (partly detox) and both of us feel a LOT stiffer. When the msm arrives, I will put the powder in capsules for Bob and I will continue to take the disgusting tasting powder:eek: by the spoonful. I just offer it up to God for the sins of the world;) You can buy the tablets and swallow them with food, that way you won't taste it. But I will never allow myself to run out of it again.

[walnutty]

Great idea!!! I am going to buy veggie caps the next time I go to Whole Foods Market. Thanks!

[soulstar]

For anyone interested;

I've been doing research about pure vs synthetic MSM and have discovered a source that is made from pine needles that comes from Canada, I believe.
It is DistilPure MSM
http://www.methylsulfonylmethane-supplier-manufacturer.com/about-us.htm

I had already ordered some from Wilderness Family naturals (WFN) before I discovered that much of msm being sold is synthetically created and this form is not as desirabe as a naturally-sourced MSM. ANyway, after I found out about the distinction, I asked WFN and they told me that the one they sold was synthtically derived. Bummer. SHould have done my research before I opened the package.

all the best,

soulstar

[queenfluff]

For those of you that are getting the burning, how are you taking it?

MSM powder is meant to be taken mixed in a liquid. I never heard of anyone taking it straight in the dry form (unless you are taking the capsule form - yes, sorry, should have mention for those not in the know - you can get it in capsule form too - I hate swallowing capsules so I use the powder - the capsules are basically just the powders in a veggie capsules - nothing different about the powder inside of it).

My understanding is that if it is NOT bitter tasting it is NOT a good batch of MSM. It is supposed to be bitter tasting.

The Natural Zing brand, I heard, is a good brand. Probably up there with David Wolfes brand (Wolfe claims that his MSM is the purest quality out there). I have bought alot of stuff from Natural Zing and was quite impressed with their stuff. I haven't use their MSM yet though.

I would avoid super cheapie brands (I know that sucks since it is so expensive - you want to get the best deal) but I am finding that to shell out a couple extra bucks for it, makes it worth it than getting a whole jar of a bad batch of it. Definatley avoid brands that contain anything extra in them (caking agents - type of stuff).

Oh, also, just to mention: Once you find a brand you like, I would just stick with it. I heard it not good to switch it all the time - mostly because of the difference in qualities of it - you want the best results after all since you bothering to take the stuff to begin with. Once I am making good money again, I will probably switch back to David Wolfe brand but that is just me. Right now the Vitamin Shoppe one is pretty good. We had a coupon for the Vitamin Shoppe - honestly, all I really saved was a couple bucks of the original price (which is about 4 bucks cheaper than Wolfes brand) plus the shipping price since the Vitamin Shoppe is in our area.


soulstar, that Pine Needle MSM sounds interesting. I am gonna look into that. Thanks! :)

[soulstar]

queenfluff,
(luv your name, btw;))

For what it's worth, The link I posted for msm from distilpure has an interesting FAQs page as well as lots of info on MSM. I found it helpful.

All the best,

Soulstar

[girl81]

I recently bought msm in capsule form; it contains 1g msm with 340mg being organic sulfur. When and how many would you suggest I take daily?
Also, what do you all think of megadosing these?

[Amberly]

I LOVE my MSM crystals. I add some to water and drink it throughout the day. It completely eliminated pain in my shoulder and knee when I work and made me feel more fluid in movement. When I stop taking it the pain comes back. My mom (who is not raw) swears by it because she can easily go up and down the stairs when she takes it, and doesn't take an hour to get down them like and old lady. Even my DAD. The ultimate skeptic and SAD eater swears by it. He wouldn't take it so we put it in all the water and forced it down him, not he recommends it to all of his friends. He hasn't been taking it and is whining about not being able to sleep because of his shoulder. Gotta get him some more.

[blix]

Does MSM do anything for the quality of your skin? I take it in supplement form but wondered if putting it on my face in some coconut oil would help. My skin is very dry and my neck is more wrinkly than I can stand!

You can do those facial excercises ALONG WITH using coconut oil. That should do the trick. Rosehip seed oil is supposed to be very good. You put just a little bit on your face and neck every night and it is supposed to regenerate the cells and it is supposed to take 4 months. Excercises take three months. Look up www.MotherNaturesGoodies.co.uk and read about it. MSM taken orally, gets into the blood stream and so to the capilliaries in your skin and there is no need to put it in a cream.
If Motheratures Goodies don't come up, try .com instead of .co.uk

[Queen Bean]

I was under the impression that MSM couldn't be obtained from vegetarian sources...that it was derived from shellfish?!?!

Recently I wanted to purchase the MSM lotion from another raw food site. It would have cost over $100 in shipping to Australia. I was talking to a naturopath, who said I could mix it with VegeSorb and still use it on my face. I've tried it (eventhough I've had some ethical dilemmas over this). The crystals don't dissolve fully, so you can't wear it to bed, but you can wear it as a mask. I've only used it twice. When I wear it I feel a heat rushing to my skin. I swear my skin looks really good. I was not sure if it would be absorbed through my skin, but the naturopath assured me it would be...

[VeggieMel]

walnutty, I use Natural Zing MSM, too. I really like that brand a lot! But I use 2-3 TBs and it doesn't burn my mouth. I either put it in water with an Emergen-C, or I add it to my green smoothie.

[blix]

MSM in not animal based. There is a company which sources it from pine trees. I can't remember the exact words, but it is in, or on the earth, gets taken up into the atmosphere and gets washed down in the rain and plants take it up from the rain and soil. I'll try and find the report and then post it.

[blix]

Here it is
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylsulfonylmethane

www.a1msm.co.uk

Hope this helps.

[girl81]

How do I know if my msm brand is optimsm? Optimsm is the purest form, correct?

[blix]

I'm not sure. I just buy what is the best value at the moment as were short on cash, but I will look into it. I think it is wise to read past advertising as a lot of people will say that their brand is the purest just to sell their goods.

[Lady Green Jeans]

soulstar,

For anyone interested;

I've been doing research about pure vs synthetic MSM and have discovered a source that is made from pine needles that comes from Canada, I believe.
It is DistilPure MSM
http://www.methylsulfonylmethane-sup...m/about-us.htm

I checked out their site and did some reading on all the info. Sounds great. How do you get their product, though? Do they welcome direct orders from consumers?

Thanks for the info.

Kathy

[girl81]

Pure msm powder vs. veggie capsules?

I think pure would be better but was concerned that openning and closing the container would cause air and pollutants to ruin the powder. What is everyone's opinion?

[kaybee]

does anyone know if the natural zing one is natural or synthetic sourced? if not, i suppose i could call and ask them, theyve always been friendly, helpful and forthright in the past...

[girl81]

Pure msm powder vs. veggie capsules?

I think pure would be better but was concerned that openning and closing the container would cause air and pollutants to ruin the powder. What is everyone's opinion?

bump...
And when is the best time to take it? Empty/full stomach? Before bed/workout?
Is gas a part of detox?

[lanettasmouse]

i have the powder and just add about 1 teaspoon into my daily smoothie. i did have lots of gas with it at first, but now that my body has adjusted to it, not so much. but i would suggest just starting out with a smaller amount at first and gradually working your way up to more.