MSM

The best-researched use of MSM is in the area of joint pain – reducing discomfort and pain that arises from degenerative conditions including osteoarthritis and/ or from physical indications, such as tendonitis or joint sprains and hyperextension. The best available evidence suggests that MSM does have a beneficial effect in reducing joint pain.

It is believed that because MSM contains sulfur, a vital element in the composition of virtually all connective tissue, it is thought to help repair damaged connective tissue (for example, in joints) rather than simply suppressing symptoms associated with joint degeneration.

MSM has been shown to relieve pain associated with OA (osteoarthritis). It has also shown anti-inflammatory effects in animal research. MSM has been studied extensively in a wide variety of investigations. New studies are suggesting that MSN may enhance antioxidant function and assist in detoxification of the liver.

Resources
“A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) treatment for knee osteoarthritis pain,” Osteoarthritis and Cartilage March, 2006.
Lawrence RM. Methylsulfonylmethane (M.S.M.) A double-blind study of its use in degenerative arthritis. Int J Anti-Aging Med 1998;1(1):50 [abstract].
Moore, R.D. and Morton, J.I.: Diminished Inflamatory Joint Disease in Mice Ingesting Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). Fed. of Am. Soc. for Exp. Biol., Proceedings 69th Ann. Meeting 1985: 692.
Jacob, S.W: The Current Status of MSM in Medicine. Am. Acad. Med. Prev., 1983.