When to take MSM | PlanYourVitamins.com

What is MSM good for?

Short answer: MSM has potential benefits for joint health, inflammation, cancer prevention, the immune system, allergies, muscle recovery and glutathione production.

Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM for short, is a compound that is especially important for our joint health, as it forms part of our tendons, ligaments, cartilage and other connective tissues, and also prevents the breakdown of existing cartilage. It can be found in protein-rich foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy products and legumes, as well as certain fruits and vegetables.

Role in joint health

As a result of its benefits for our joints, MSM has seen increasing popularity in recent years as a supplement for people who are suffering from joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and especially osteoarthritis, and its results in helping treat these conditions have been well documented.

One study involving 49 people suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee found observed a significant reduction in pain and improved mobility following 3.4g of daily MSM supplementation for a period of 12 weeks.

Benefits for inflammation & allergies

In addition to being crucial for healthy joint cartilage, MSM's anti-inflammatory properties have also been studied for their potential in not only alleviating inflammatory joint issues, but also allergies and skin conditions.

It is thought to achieve this by inhibiting certain proteins and cytokines that trigger inflammatory responses. This in turn is thought to also reduce stress on the immune system overall, allowing it to fight infection more efficiently.

One study in 50 people that suffered from allergic rhinitis found that taking 2.6g of MSM daily over the course of a 30 day period managed to reduced many symptoms associated with the condition, such as congestion, shortness of breath, sneezing and coughing, as well as resulting in an overall increase in energy.

Benefits for cancer prevention

Relatively recent research is also looking into MSM's potential effects at fighting cancer. Multiple in vitro studies have found that MSM can inhibit the growth of cells in a variety of cancers by promoting cancer cell death, including in cancer of the stomach, colon, liver, bladder, skin and esophagus.

And lastly, but by no means least, MSM also plays a role in the production of glutathione, one of your body's most important antioxidants.

When should I take MSM?

Short answer: MSM is best taken with breakfast, or with the first meal of the day.

It's advisable to not take MSM in the evening, as it can have a stimulating effect shortly after consumption, and this could disrupt your sleep schedule. MSM can also cause stomach upset or diarrhea if taken on an empty stomach

So, taking both of these factors into consideration, the optimal time for taking MSM is ideally with breakfast, or alternatively with your afternoon meal.

What does MSM combine well with?

Short answer: MSM has been shown to work well together with boswellia extract, chondroitin, glucosamine and vitamin C.

MSM with chondroitin & glucosamine, for osteoarthritis

Given MSM's involvement in the production and maintenance of joint cartilage, it is often combined with glucosamine and chondroitin, which perform similar functions.

One study that combined MSM, glucosamine and chondroitin for treating knee osteoarthritis observed a further reduction in pain and additional increase in mobility than when glucosamine and chondroitin were taken alone without MSM.

MSM with boswellia extract, for osteoarthritis

Another study involving people suffering from knee osteoarthritis combined MSM with boswellia extract, and this was found to be more effective at reducing pain and improving knee mobility than when glucosamine was taken.

In addition to that, the group that took the combination of MSM and boswellic acid became less dependent on anti-inflammatory medication that the group that took glucosamine alone.

MSM with vitamin C, for osteoarthritis

MSM is often paired with vitamin C for joint health, as many of their roles overlap. Vitamin C promotes collagen production, a vital component of cartilage and connective tissue, while MSM is known to enhance vitamin C's bioavailability, and both are known for their strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Research has shown that a combination of MSM and vitamin C results in more pronounced effects than when MSM is taken alone.

What are natural sources of MSM?

If you are interested in achieving your daily MSM intake through your diet, rich sources of MSM include:

Coffee
Tea
Milk
Raspberries
Apples
Grapes
Tomatoes
Leafy greens

It's worth noting that cooking will decrease the amount of available MSM in most of these foods, so consuming them raw where appropriate will maximize the amount you can absorb.

MSM data sources & further reading

Last updated by Asklepios on 30th January, 2025