Even the word Methylsulfonylmethane seems designed to confuse and impress us. Lets get this out of the way by calling it MSM, as it is generally known. What is MSM? It is basically a sulphur compound that occurs in all animal or vegetable foods. Sulphur is one of the most common elements in our bodies, but because it works quietly in the background and provides most of its benefits by aiding other metabolic processes, it is often ignored. Our metabolisms are nothing more than an incredibly huge and ongoing series of chemical reactions and sulphur is one of the key elements in these reactions. Reduce the sulphur, or MSM, levels in the body and the efficiency of the chemical reactions is reduced accordingly.

What exactly does MSM do or assist in? Here's a partial list:

- It helps in collagen synthesis. Collagen is the substance that keeps our skin soft, hair smooth and glossy and keeps out finger and toe nails from becoming hard and brittle.

- It helps to keep tissue soft and flexible and is effective in preventing or relieving the symptoms of arthritis, asthma, stress, muscle and joint inflammation, constipation, and candida.

- It increases the blood circulation and in the process helps to detoxify the system. Increased blood circulation also allows more oxygen to be carried in the blood which increase energy levels, mental alertness, concentration levels and tissue development.

- It helps damaged muscles and other tissue to heal and prevents muscles cramps, back pain, and stiff joints.

- It enables the liver to produce choline, increase the amount of insulin the body produces, coats the stomach and intestinal tract with a protective film that makes it more difficult for parasites to cling onto the stomach and intestinal walls, controls excessive acidity in the digestive system and reduces the amount of negative reactions that certain drugs and medical formulation can cause in some people.

- It also enables the body to better resists allergies caused by food or pollen and speeds up the healing of wounds, bruises and abrasions.

Research on MSM is still ongoing and more benefits will keep emerging.

The body produces some amount of MSM but this is not enough for the metabolic needs. MSM is to be found in all forms of meat and vegetable in their raw state. Unfortunately, any kind of processing, including cooking, destroys the sulphur in the food. While eating raw salads will help in maintaining the sulphur levels in the body, the problem lies in the fact that other parts of our diets are made up of cooked foods. No one wants to eat raw meat and vegetables. In fact, studies have found that eating habits in Europe and America, where most foods are processed in some for or another, do not allow for adequate sulphur intake. The solution to this is to take MSM supplements. There are in convenient pill or liquid form and can be taken by everyone.

The average daily intake of MSM for an adult of normal health is approximately 2 grams. However, in the case of therapeutic use, it can, under the advice of a qualified medical practitioner, be increased. Medically supervised high dosages of MSM have been found to be effective in not just prevent the problems outlined above, but in speeding up the cure for the conditions, if they have occurred.

With all the benefits of MSM, it safe to say that it is not just another fad.