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.
Be careful if: pregnant, breastfeeding
Suspect a side effect? Report it to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme ↗
We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.
The large figures are what the studies reported for each thing they measured. Open a card for every result.
Colour keyReported a benefitNo clear benefitUnclearPossible harmAmber is for highlights, such as where the most research is. It never means a result was good.
No figure given: Overall knee score (no clear benefit).
Also measured alongside: Overall mood (no clear benefit).
Every resultWhat sources report about side effects, who should be careful, and medicines to ask about first.
| Applies to | What sources say | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| pregnant | No pregnancy safety guidance found in any chain source checked (no UK SmPC, BNF/NICE, NHS, NIH ODS, NCCIH or EMA HMPC entry exists for MSM); the 12-week randomised trial reports no pregnancy data. Not studied in pregnancy — assume nothing and ask a clinician. | Toguchi A, et al. Methylsulfonylmethane Improves Knee Quality of Life in Participants with Mild Knee Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients 2023;15(13):2995 (PMID 37447322) |
| breastfeeding | No breastfeeding safety guidance found in any chain source checked; no lactation data in the reviewed trials. Not studied while breastfeeding — ask a clinician before use. | Toguchi A, et al. Methylsulfonylmethane Improves Knee Quality of Life in Participants with Mild Knee Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients 2023;15(13):2995 (PMID 37447322) |
Toguchi A, et al. Methylsulfonylmethane Improves Knee Quality of Life in Participants with Mild Knee Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients 2023;15(13):2995 (PMID 37447322)Sumsuzzman DM, et al. Comparative Efficacy of Glucosamine-Based Combination Therapies in Alleviating Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med 2024;13(23):7444 (PMID 39685902)
Audited published research for MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) by condition. Drill into a pair page for the full breakdown.
What this means: Bars count reported findings, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.
One study may report several findings or appear in more than one pairing. Counts do not show the size of an effect. Comparable numerical estimates are not established for this summary.
| Compound and condition | Findings (count) | Studies (count) | Reported results (finding counts) | How sure? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joint Pain | 3 | 2 | Benefit: 1; no benefit: 2; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0 | Not formally graded |
Where people report using it and what trials suggest
Common claims the trials do not support
Organic sulphur compound with small OA-pain trials; short-lived anti-inflammatory claims are not robust.
Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.
Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.
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 ↗02Efficacy of dietary supplements for treating knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysisDu P, et al. · Frontiers in nutrition · 2025PMID 40123938 ↗03A large meta-analysis identifies genes associated with anterior uveitisGelfman S, et al. · Nature communications · 2023PMID 37949852 ↗04Systematic review of the nutritional supplements dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in the treatment of osteoarthritisBrien S, et al. · Osteoarthritis and cartilage · 2008PMID 18417375 ↗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 ↗06[Combination therapy for exacerbations of pain in osteoarthritis with non-fixed combinations]Naumov AV, et al. · Terapevticheskii arkhiv · 2025PMID 40561485 ↗Reported results grouped by condition. Values and units are preserved as recorded; missing information is not estimated.
How to read this table
Reported direction, numerical results and study design are separate. Certainty has not been formally graded in this table.
| What was measured | Reported findings | Result and units | Reported sample and duration | Study / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not reported Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 168 Follow-up: Not reported | Systematic review · 2008 Study detailsSystematic review of the nutritional supplements dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Systematic Review |
| Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) | No significant improvement in KOOS scores was found with 3 grams of MSM daily versus placebo in 180 subjects over 8 weeks.No clear benefit | Not reported Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 180 Follow-up: 8 weeks | Randomised trial · 2017 Study detailsA randomized controlled trial evaluating methylsulfonylmethane versus placebo to prevent knee pain in military initial entry trainees. Randomized Controlled Trial |
| Profile of Moods States (POMS) | No significant improvement in POMS scores was found with 3 grams of MSM daily versus placebo in 180 subjects over 8 weeks.No clear benefit | Not reported Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 180 Follow-up: 8 weeks | Randomised trial · 2017 Study detailsA randomized controlled trial evaluating methylsulfonylmethane versus placebo to prevent knee pain in military initial entry trainees. Randomized Controlled Trial |
Associated conditions and community-reported outcomes, wrapped together on one page. Aggregates appear only once enough reports arrive.
How this compound is sold in the UK, and where our readers typically find it.
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