MSM May Help Retain Tissue Flexibility in Aging

MSM is the naturally occurring form of sulfur in the earth's sulfur cycle. It has generally been believed that in humans, the sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cysteine are the most important sources of sulfur.

However, since the discovery of the earth's sulfur cycle, this theory has been brought into question. Algae and some forms of plankton absorb large amounts of inorganic sulfur from seawater and convert it into a simple, organic form. As these organisms die, enzymatic processes break down these organic sulfur molecules into Dimethylsulfide (DMS). DMS, volatile and poorly soluble in water, readily evaporates into the atmosphere where it is oxidized by ultraviolet light into Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). MSM is highly soluble in water and concentrates in atmospheric water vapor, returning to earth in rain where plants collect and concentrate it. MSM is found in fresh fruit and vegetables in amounts ranging from 1 to 4mg/kg.

The sulfur cycle suggests that higher forms of life are most likely genetically preprogrammed to use MSM as a preferred source of sulfur. This theory is further enhanced by the discovery that every organism (thus far investigated) can ingest MSM in virtually unlimited quantities without any toxic effects. The same cannot be said of methionine and cysteine, which may cause toxic symptoms when consumed in large quantities. After calcium and phosphorus, sulfur is the third most abundant mineral in the body. The adult body contains approximately 140 grams of sulfur. A normal level of circulating MSM in the adult body is about 0.2 mg/kg and between 4 and 11 mg of MSM are excreted in the urine daily.

Research suggests that there is a minimum concentration of MSM that must be maintained to support normal function and structure. Low MSM levels have been linked with complaints of fatigue and depression, sensitivity to stress, and certain degenerative diseases. Experiments using MSM containing radio-labeled sulfur have shown that, following ingestion, MSM readily releases its sulfur to form collagen and keratin. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, and a major component of all connective tissue. Flexible tissues such as connective tissue and cartilage are made up ofproteins with flexible sulfur bonds. In skin, collagen works with another protein called elastin, to give skin its elasticity. In cartilage, the sulfur containing proteoglycans combine with collagen to give cartilage its structure and flexibility.

Several studies suggest that the concentration of MSM in the body diminishes with age.The consequences of reduced MSM / sulfur are consistent with the changes characteristic of aging: stiffening of muscles and joints, wrinkling of the skin, and decreased elasticity of lung tissues and arterial blood vessels.

Supplementation with MSM provides a highly concentrated source of this nutrient, which has been shown clinically to help ameliorate the progression of these degenerative aging processes. Bio-Design MSM Plus exclusively contains OptiMSM®. OptiMSM® is manufactured from an organic source and is distilled for purity. Distillation separates pure MSM from impurities of manufacturing by bringing it to its boiling point of 478°F (248° C). This allows production of the purest MSM possible. Other MSM manufacturers use a less expensive crystallization process, which may result in residual impurities. Each caplet of Bio-Design MSM Plus contains 1 gram of OptiMSM® and 125 mg of glucosamine sulfate.