Supplement

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)

Also known as MSM, Organic sulphur

Organic sulphur compound providing a bioavailable sulphur source for collagen and keratin synthesis; studied for joint pain, exercise-induced muscle soreness, and allergy symptoms, usually alongside glucosamine.

2linked conditions

20linked studies

On this pageEvidence Availability Outcomes & conditions →

Evidence

What the research actually shows

We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.

Evidence analytics

Where the evidence is concentrated

Number of audited published findings for MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) by condition. Drill into a pair page for the full breakdown.

Putative uses

Where people report using it and what trials suggest

Weak evidenceKnee OA pain reduction
Weak evidenceExercise-recovery markers

Where the evidence is negative

Common claims the trials do not support

Trials are small (n<50 mostly) with industry ties.
Skin/hair claims rest on manufacturer studies only.

Organic sulphur compound with small OA-pain trials; short-lived anti-inflammatory claims are not robust.

Safety notes: Generally benign; GI upset, headache reported.

Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.

20studies referenced

16journals

2008–2026publication range

01Efficacy and Safety of Anti-nerve Growth Factor Monoclonal Antibodies in Managing Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review with Network Meta-analysisAbouelella A, et al. · Drugs · 2026PMID 41880116 ↗02[Combination therapy for exacerbations of pain in osteoarthritis with non-fixed combinations]Naumov AV, et al. · Terapevticheskii arkhiv · 2025PMID 40561485 ↗03Efficacy of dietary supplements for treating knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysisDu P, et al. · Frontiers in nutrition · 2025PMID 40123938 ↗04Maternal Adiposity and Inflammation: Risk Factors for Iron Deficiency in PregnancyDemirdjian SP, et al. · The Journal of nutrition · 2025PMID 40886951 ↗05Using the Rise and Fall of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Post-Exercise to Evaluate the Effect of Methylsulfonylmethane Supplementation on Immune Response mRNAMcFarlin BK, et al. · Nutrients · 2025PMID 40507030 ↗06Agrarian diet improves metabolic health in HIV-positive men with Prevotella-rich microbiomes: results from a randomized trial

Search PubMed ↗Find clinical trials ↗

What trials found, in numbers

Summaries of published trial results for this compound, grouped by condition. Numbers are reported exactly as the researchers published them — we never calculate or convert.

How to read this table

Benefit: What the trial saw happen: whether the measured outcome moved in the helpful direction in that one study (the tag on each row: “Benefit seen”, “No clear benefit” or “Unclear”). It is a study result — not advice, and not a promise it will work for you.
Evidence: How strong the research behind that result is. A meta-analysis pools many studies (strongest); a systematic review collates them; an RCT tests against a control (placebo); observational studies only watch — they can suggest, not prove.
Effect size: How large the measured change was, exactly as the researchers published it. “No number reported” means the abstract gave no effect size — we never invent one.

In short: benefit is what was observed; evidence is how much you should trust the observation. A “Benefit seen” tag on a weak study counts for far less than the same tag on a meta-analysis.

Joint Pain (4 outcomes)

Outcome measured	What trials found	Effect size	People studied	Duration	Type of evidence	Study
pain in knee osteoarthritis, DMSO vs comparator	Evidence for DMSO versus placebo in knee osteoarthritis pain was mixed and inconclusive due to methodological issues (n=681).Unclear	no number reported	681	—	Systematic review · 2008	PMID 18417375
pain in knee osteoarthritis, MSM vs placebo	MSM trials found positive but not definitive evidence that MSM is superior to placebo for knee osteoarthritis pain (n=168).Benefit seen	no number reported	168	—	Systematic review · 2008	PMID 18417375
Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)

Outcomes & conditions

Why people look into MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) — and what they report

Associated conditions and community-reported outcomes, wrapped together on one page. Aggregates appear only once enough reports arrive.

Outcomes & conditions →

Important: This page reflects observational, aggregate-only community reporting and independent published research. It is not medical advice, and it does not claim any compound treats, cures, or is effective for any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or treatment.

Availability

Where to get MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) (UK)

How this compound is sold in the UK, and where our readers typically find it.

Retailer search links — we may earn commission on purchases at no cost to you. Commission never affects our evidence ratings.

Search MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) on Amazon UK →Search MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) on Holland & Barrett →Search MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) on iHerb →