Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Many adults suffer from the debilitating effects of this disease. In western countries, osteoarthritis strikes many people by age 65 and in about 80 percent of those who are above 75 years of age. Osteoarthritis has a significant impact on public health. A person’s risk for osteoarthritis significantly rises with age. With the continuous increase of the the elderly population worldwide, it is expected that more and more adults are likely to face the physical as well as financial burden that osteoarthritis could bring.

Osteoarthritis is associated with the wear and tear of the joints. It causes the breakdown of cartilage, the tissue that protects the bones from rubbing against each other. Normally, the cartilage acts as shock absorbers so that the bones will not get worn out by friction. But in ostearthritis, the cartilage is worn away, causing bone ends to make direct contact. Later on, frequent direct contact can lead to formation of bone spurs, bone hardening, and will cause inflammation and severe pain as the bones continue to rub without proper cushioning. The bones may become more brittle and the risk for injury increases.

There are various treatment options that can help reduce pain and maintain joint movement so that people with arthritis can go about their normal activities. Osteoarthritis symptoms can be treated with medications such as NSAID’s and steroids. In addition, the use of dietary supplements for osteoarthritis has been gaining popularity. Researchers have been studying whether these supplements can help patients with arthritis. One of these is a compound known as methylsufonylmethane or MSM which has become one of the most popular dietary supplements for arthritis.

Methylsulfonylmethane is a substance which is found in various green plants, vegetables, grains, and milk. It is a natural source of organic sulfur which is needed to make some amino acids for the body’s proteins. Methylsulfonylmethane is important in joint health and helps form connective tissue. It may also slow the nerve impulses that transmit pain signals, thereby reducing pain.

MSM in osteoathritis
In 2006, researchers from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences conducted a pilot clinical trial on the efficacy of MSM in osteoarthritis of the knee. To find out whether MSM is beneficial for arthritis patients, the investigators conducted randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on patients with knee OA pain. Fifty men and women, 40-76 years of age took part in this clinical trial. The patients were given either MSM 3g or placebo twice a day for 12 weeks. The investigators evaluated the outcomes using the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index visual analogue scale (WOMAC), patient and physician global assessments which determined the disease status and patient’s response to therapy, and SF-36 to assess overall health-related quality of life.

The findings suggest that MSM produced better results than placebo. The patients who were given MSM had significant pain reduction and physical function impairment without serious adverse events. The investigators cautioned that the benefits and safety of MSM in OA and long-term use cannot be confirmed from this pilot trial, but they suggested that the use of MSM may be considered for certain osteoarthritis patients. The need for further studies to establish the long-term safety and effectiveness of MSM in osteorthritis was also emphasized.

MSM is available in oral forms. It is sometimes combined with other dietary supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, or others. Patients who are considering taking any supplements for osteoarthritis should first check with their health care providers. Interactions between MSM and other drugs, dietary supplements, or herbal products are not known.

References:

http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_information/dissemination/diseases/musculo_en.htm

Talbott, S. A Guide to Understanding Dietary Supplements: Magic Bullets or Modern Snake Oil (Nutrition, Exercise, Sports, and Health). Routledge. 2003.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteoarthritis/DS00019/DSECTION=alternative-medicine

Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, Howard P, Buratovich N, Waters RF. Efficacy of methysulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage . 2006;14(3):286-294.

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