MSM: DMSO After 20 years Stanley W. Jacob and Robert Herschler Department of Surgery Oregon Health Science University Portland, Oregon MSM, an odorless essentially tasteless, white crystalline chemical demonstrates usefulness as a dietary supplement in men and lower animals. Our research suggests that a minimum concentration in the body may be critical to both normal function and structure. Limited studies suggest that the systemic concentration of MSM drops in mammals with increasing age. This may be due to dietary habits where one ingests foods with lower MSM potential with maturity or possibly there is a change in the renal threshold. Healthy juvenile rabbits maintain a level at or above 1 PPM body weight, with milk being the dominant food and source. Cow's milk normally contains between 2 and 6 ppm MSM, dependent on source and freshness. In an adult man, the circulating concentration varies but may average about 0.2 - 0.25 ppm. We have no estimate of total body concentration as yet, but suspect that MSM is banked in some of the organs, other than the adrenals. Based on radiolabel (35 S) studies, the residence time of a single challenge in mammals may be several weeks with gradual dumping via the renal system. Daily output of urine contains several milligrams of MSM. This possibly is not the dominant excretory route. The following abnormal conditions seen in the clinic have responded to oral MSM generally administered at dosage levels of 250-270 mg/day. Response to allergy: Oral MSM moderates diverse allergic responses as to pollen and foods. Anti-allergy medication and dissemination methods may be sharply reduced. Control of hyperacidity: Subjects that are chronic users of various antacids and histamine H 2 receptor antagonists prefer MSM by reason of relief obtained coupled with freedom from serious, untoward effects. Hypersensitivity to drugs: Subjects demonstrating drug hypersensitivity to aspirin, several nonsterioid antiarthritic agents (Naprosy, Indocin, Motria), and oral antibiotics, were drug tolerant when MSM was given within an hour before or concurrent with the sensitizing drug. Control of constipation: Particularly in the older population seen in our clinic, chronic constipation can be a medical problem of concern. To date, over 50 subjects presenting chronic constipation have gained prompt and continuing relief by supplementing the diet with 100 to 500 mg of MSM per day. We have seen some individuals with severely restricted lung function. Of these, only a few cooperated in vital function assessments. All cooperated in endurance measurements. Limited objective and strong subjective evidence suggests that MSM is a useful dietary supplement to reduce lung dysfunction. Anti-parasitic action: In vitro and in vivo tests suggest MSM has an activity against a variety of medically important parasitic tracts, MSM, for example, is active against Giardia, Trichomondads, and round worms. MSM may affect such infections by competing for binding or receptor sites at the mucous membrane surface, presenting a blocking interface between host and parasite. We are at present evaluating the action of MSM with a variety of abnormal or medical problems to determine whether any are responsive to a diet supplemented by MSM. We are intrigued by the fact that MSM is a contestant factor in all normal diets of vertebrates and somewhat mystified by the seeming need of the body of adults for a concentration level above that available from a diet presumed as normal. We hope soon to have data defining any specific interacting role that MSM may have with the water-soluble vitamins, particularly Vitamin C, which like MSM is reportedly banked in the adrenals. It is not possible to directly compare DMSO and derivative MSM, though of the same chemical family. Each is unique unto itself. MSM is a dietary factor derivable from most natural food. It is conveniently taken alone or in foods. Taken by mouth, there is no after-breath. DMSO has certain unpleasant attributes not possessed by MSM. While MSM is a dietary factor, DMSO is not. DMSO readily penetrates the dermas and less complicated membrane systems while MSM does not. Each contribution to the well-being of mankind, but in differing ways. Both have important implications. --as reported in the Journal of the New York Academy of Sciences