DMSO And MSM

DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is a sulfur compound that occurs naturally in the body and is found in soil; it is also a by-product of wood-pulp processing. In the body, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a potent scavenger of free radicals, the unstable molecules responsible for much of the cellular damage in the body. Proponents of its medicinal use say it can relieve the pain and inflammation of arthritis and is effective in treating other conditions that cause inflammation.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a metabolite of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) that occurs naturally in the blood and is a component of hair, nails, and metabolic enzymes. It is also found in sulfur-containing foods such as milk, meat, and broccoli. As a supplement, it is sold in capsule form. Like dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is said to relieve arthritis pain, but without the strong sulfur odor. It is an approved veterinary medicine and is commonly used in cream form for the treatment of muscle injuries and soreness in horses.

Because dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is easily absorbed through the skin, it can be rubbed on the skin to ease muscle and arthritis pain. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), on the other hand, is taken orally in supplement form. Although it is mainly used for the treatment of arthritis, its proponents claim it is effective for the treatment of a wide variety of ailments, including headaches, muscle pain, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and allergies.

Any food that is rich in sulfur, such as broccoli, eggs, meat, garlic, onions, and milk, contains some DMSO and MSM. DMSO is sold as an industrial solvent that is not intended for human use. MSM is available as a nutritional supplement in health food stores. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) comes in liquid form and is rubbed onto the skin to relieve arthritis pain and inflammation. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) comes in capsule form.

For dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), the main concern is getting a pure grade that is free of contaminants. However, there have been no safety studies in the United States showing that even pharmaceutical grade DMSO is safe for long-term use when rubbed on the skin. It has a strong sulfur odor that has been described as smelling like fish, oysters, garlic, and rotten eggs; it can become incorporated into sweat and saliva, causing body odor and bad breath. It can also cause skin irritation at the site of application.

Animal toxicity studies have been done with methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and it was found to be safe. It is a nontoxic compound, even at high doses. However, it can have a mild blood-thinning effect and shouldn't be taken with nonprescription blood thinners like aspirin, ginkgo biloba, high doses of vitamin E, prescription blood thinners like Coumadin, or other drugs or supplements that reduce clotting.

Comments

From Mikaela - Oct-16-2011

I have a genetic blood disorder caused by a defect in the genes. If I had 2 links in the genes damaged I had to go whole my life on blood thinner. But only 1 link is defective and so I found that vitamin C in very high doses taken every day functions like a blood thinner and is additional cell building. It's just a great "medicine"! Now I came to find out that MSM as it is the horse medicine at all against arthritis and its pain it isn't bad at all to be taken in by a human body whether in powder form or capsules but best in combination with vitamin C, so ideal for me who any way has to take so much vitamin C every day. And it works great, my pain disappears with MSM and doesn't have any bad effects on the natural blood thinner the vitamin C!!
So if you got diagnosis to take blood thinner, you should get examined if it is because there are 2 defective links in your genes or not. Because when only 1 link in your genes is damaged, you don't have to go on blood thinner but can get helped with a high doses of vitamin C which works great with MSM.
Nowadays there is such a blood examination to be done to see in how far your genes are defected, what would have a effect on your blood clotting values, in case of the disorder Mutation V Leiden.

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