DMSO And MSM
DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is basically a
sulfur amalgam that is naturally present in our body and is also present in
soil. In addition, DMSO is a derivative of the process involved in making wood pulp. When present in our body, this sulfur compound is a powerful forager of the harmful
free radicals - the volatile molecules that are accountable for most of the damage caused to the
cells in the body. People who advocate the therapeutic use of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) claim that this compound that the aptitude to ease
pain as well as
inflammation caused owing to
arthritis. They further assert that this sulfur compound is also useful for treating different conditions that lead to inflammation. On the other hand, MSM or methylsulfonylmethane is a product of metabolic action of DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) that naturally occurs in our
blood and is also a constituent of metabolic
enzymes, nails and hair. MSM is present in foods enclosing sulfur, for instance
broccoli, meat and
milk. In the form of a dietary supplement, methylsulfonylmethane is available in capsule form. Similar to DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is believed to alleviate pain caused by
arthritis, but devoid of the potent smell of sulfur. It may be noted that MSM is a permitted veterinary medication and is generally made use of in cream form for treating injuries to muscles as well as aching in horses. It may be noted that all foods that contain high amounts of sulfur, for instance, milk,
garlic, broccoli,
onions, meat and
eggs, enclose some amount of DMSO as well as MSM. In effect, dimethyl sulfoxide is marketed in the form of an industrial solvent, which is not meant for use by humans. On the other hand, MSM is sold in the form of a dietary supplement and is available at any health food store. DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is available in liquid variety and is massaged on the skin to alleviate the pain and inflammation caused by arthritis, while MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is available in the form of capsules. While purchasing DMSO, the major worry is to get a wholesome grade that does not contain any contaminant. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate that thus far scientists in the United States are yet to undertake safety studies to demonstrate that even the pharmaceutical quality dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is harmless for prolonged use when it is massaged onto the skin. DMSO possesses a potent sulfur smell, which has been expressed as having a smell similar to garlic, fish, oysters and rotten eggs. DMSO has the aptitude to be included in the
saliva and
sweat, resulting in
foul body smell and
awful breath. In addition, dimethyl sulfoxide may also lead to irritation of the skin at places where it is applied. It is interesting to learn that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), actually began with an auto mishap. More precisely, although a retired Portland, Oregon, mechanic Bill Rich continued to live on following a terrible traffic mishap in 1970, he sustained grave
burn injuries on his body. Following the accident, Bill spent almost six months for treatment wherein he received skin graft as well as healing. Incidentally, Bill continued to endure intense ankle and knee pains for more than a decade following the traffic accident. At times, the pain was so intense that Bill would just about double up and cry owing to the pain in the ankles and knees. At this stage, he met a veterinarian who informed Bill regarding a supplement that was given to horses during races with a view to ease pain. The supplement or chemical compound was actually MSM. Surprisingly, much of Bill's pain disappeared just after using the supplement for three days. All through his life, Bill was a fiddler and in due course, he created a cream containing MSM which he regularly massaged on the skin in the region of the ankles and knees. Just about a phenomenon, the skin that had gone purplish and was difficult to heal was soon reinstated with a pink hued skin in a very brief period of time. While the story regarding Bill's revival appears to be very incredible to be factual, actually there are numerous other individuals who depend on MSM for its healing properties, especially muscle and
joint pains. In addition, this compound is also believed to be effective for treating
allergies, inflammation as well as
constipation. While there have only been a small number of scientific researches with MSM, scientists have undertaken extensive research on one of its chemical cousin - DMSO. In effect, almost everybody is familiar with the compound called dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which has been in the environs for more than two decades and it its effectiveness has already been confirmed by several thousand studies. Ever since, dimethyl sulfoxide has been effectively used to cure pain as well as support healing in several thousand people. It may be noted that dimethyl sulfoxide possesses highly fast absorption attributes. In 1961 it was believed that this compound may possibly be utilized to facilitate the effective transportation of different medications into the body. However, more researches have demonstrated that dimethyl sulfoxide possesses several useful attributes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States has also approved the use of this compound for specific conditions. The most stirring feature regarding MSM (methylsulfonymethane) appears to be that breaking down DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) in our body results in the production of MSM. A number of scientists are of the belief that MSM is the real compound that is useful following ingestion or absorption of DMSO. MSM comprises approximately 34 per cent sulfur and may possibly act by contributing this mineral to an assortment of biological functions inside our body. Albeit sulfur is necessary for robust health, the FDA is yet to acknowledge MSM to be an essential element for our body. It is any irony that sulfur is among the substances that is present in most abundance in the human body. In addition, it is also among the least studied elements concerning the health of humans. Majority of the scientists concur that MSM works rather to provide the body with the requisite quantities of sulfur in the appropriate varieties. It may be underlined here that sulfur is indispensible to several human body parts, such as the skin,
collagen, nails as well as
proteins present inside the body. If there is a deficiency of sulfur in our body, it will restrict the functioning of the number of body processes. Although, DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) was initially developed in the 1800s, this compound was of little use till the 1940s, when it turned out to be very popular in the form of an industrial solvent. In the 1960s, DMSO was utilized to prepare a veterinary liniment, in addition to a well accepted panacea. Currently, the use of this compound is only limited to treating intestinal cystitis, also known as
infection of the bladder, and according to a method approved by the FDA. In present times, DMSO is also present in anti-freeze and paint thinner and is not marketed in any preparation that is appropriate and safe for use by humans, barring by prescription as mentioned above. In fact, currently DMSO is only sold in the form meant for industrial use and, hence, it is contaminated.