Glucosamine And MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane): A Popular Pain Relief Supplement

Glucosamine and MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane) is one of the most widely used combinations of natural supplements used to relieve pain on the market today. The combination of glucosamine and MSM is used by athletes and body builders, people with arthritis and other joint pains, and people who work physical labor jobs that have a high rate of tissue and cartilage damage.

Glucosamine is a natural molecule that the body makes in order to repair damage tissue and cartilage. This molecule is made more in younger ages and the production of glucosamine slows down as the body ages. This could account for the higher rate of osteoarthritis in the elderly as opposed to arthritis in children. Children and young adults are not immune to arthritis, however. Some bodies don't make glucosamine as quickly as others and their tissues and cartilage breaks down more quickly than it can be repaired. Of course, lack of glucosamine is not the only cause of arthritis, but is thought to attribute to a good number of cases.

MSM is a natural sulfur compound that is found in all living things. The sulfur in MSM, sulfonyl, is not the same as the sulfur that many people are allergic (sulfa) to or the kind of sulfur that is used in food preservatives (sulfite). In fact, sulfonyl is thought to be as important to the body as Vitamin C. In studies, people with athletic injuries who used MSM supplements reported that their pain was reduced by at least twice as much as when placebos were used and their need to visit a chiropractor was reduced by 60%. Another study with arthritis patients also concluded that MSM was effective in reducing the pain from the degenerative disease.

Combining glucosamine and MSM allows for the pain relieving effect of the MSM while the glucosamine goes to work repairing damaged muscle and joint tissue and cartilage. A liquid form of the combination is recommended for fastest delivery to the damaged tissue, or there is a topical form available as well to target a specific area, but not as effectively as taking glucosamine and MSM internally. The supplement combination also comes in a powder form that can be mixed with water or fruit juice.

Side effects noted in the studies of the glucosamine and MSM combination are rare, showing up in less than 1% of those treated. These rare side effects have included nausea, vomiting, and tenderness at the sight when the combination was injected.

Glucosamine and MSM as a supplement has not been reviewed or approved by the FDA and is therefore not a prescribed medication. You can find glucosamine and MSM combination supplements online or at local health food stores.