Throughout a lifetime of exercise, and as a physician treating athletes, I've discovered there's nothing more painful or frustrating than a nagging muscle or joint injury. Despite the pain, such injuries can lead to further injury and ruin what otherwise might be a good fitness routine. Until recently there wasn't much you could do about these nagging pains--except to stay off them for awhile. However, now there's a nutritional supplement on the market that provides remarkable, non-toxic relief--and it's even showing promise in the control of arthritic pain.
MSM (Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane) is a naturally-occurring sulfur compound found in the human body as well as in many beverages and foods, including milk, coffee, tea and green vegetables. It is odorless, almost tasteless and completely water soluble. It is one of the least toxic substances in biology, similar in toxicity to water.
MSM is a relative to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) a unique therapeutic agent used worldwide in the treatment of many painful and inflammatory conditions. MSM has many of DMSO's properties, but without the oyster-like odor and other side effects.
While mankind has long recognized the healing power of sulfur through such regimens as soaking in sulfur-rich, mineral hot springs, much is still unknown about precisely how it works in the body. Some of MSM's essential functions include maintaining structure of the proteins in the body, helping the formation of keratin which is essential for hair and nail growth, aiding in the production of immunoglobulin which maintains the immune system, and catalyzing the chemical reactions which change food into energy.
From Brussels Sprouts To Locker Rooms
My experience has shown that Lignisul™ MSM, an all-natural, patented, American-made brand of MSM, can provide relief from muscle soreness, joint pain and stiffness when used on a regular basis. A recent study also showed that in addition to reducing cramping, the recovery time in marathon runners given MSM dropped by 75%.
The product form I prefer is powder mixed with fruit juice, tea or water, because it can be ingested most quickly. If you don't want to bother with mixing, capsules can be used. While the amount of Lignisul MSM recommended varies depending on the intensity of the workout, MSM is non-toxic so you can't take too much.
For a normal (light to moderate) workout, take two teaspoons of Lignisul MSM powder (or two 750 mg. capsules) one hour before exercise. After your workout, take two more
teaspoons. For more strenuous workouts, double the dosage. A convenient way to take Lignisul is to put the appropriate amount of powder directly in your water bottle.
If you find that aches are persisting, take two teaspoons three times per day. For a particularly nagging muscle or joint problem, you can apply Lignisul topically in lotion form. Rub it directly on the effected muscle before and after exercise.
If you are a runner and have mild arthritis in the hips, knees or ankles, Lignisul may help you continue to run without pain. However, if pain persists, I would select a different form of exercise.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties of MSM Gain Attention
Many years of clinical use at Oregon Health Sciences University have demonstrated that MSM delivers major pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects without serious side effects. MSM is often so effective for pain relief that doctors are able to lower the dosage of medication they prescribe for patients, or discontinue the medication altogether.
Since sulfur is needed for the formation of connective tissue, Lignisul has been studied for its use in treating arthritis of various types. Sulfur concentration in arthritic cartilage has been shown to be about one-third the level compared to normal cartilage. In addition, the amino acid, cystine, has been noted to be diminished in arthritic patients.
Intrigued by the natural anti-inflammatory properties of MSM, I launched my own preliminary study on the use of Lignisul in the treatment of degenerative arthritis.
The double-blind study involved 16 patients ranging in age from 55 to 78. All had x-ray evidence of degenerative arthritis. The study found that more than 80 per cent of those who took 2250 mg of Lignisul MSM daily for six weeks reported an 82 per
cent average improvement in pain relief, compared to an 18 per cent improvement reported by patients receiving the placebo treatment.
Although this was only a preliminary study, it appears that Lignisul may offer a significant new nutritional substance for the control of arthritic pain as a safe, non-toxic method. Certainly, the positive results warrant a more intensive investigation of MSM.
By Dr. Ronald M. Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D.
Sulfur Compounds: The Natural Solution to Muscle and Joint Pain
