MSM
Also known as: methylsulfonylmethane, dimethyl sulfone
Randomised trials and systematic reviews report modest or inconsistent benefits of oral MSM for knee pain and function; some trials show statistically significant improvements in short-term symptoms or quality of life and reduced use of anti‑inflammatory drugs, while other trials show no benefit or mixed outcomes. Evidence quality is variable and effects are generally small to modest.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-14 · 5 indexed studies
Set your location for accurate regulatory status
Saved on this device — no sign-in needed.
Overview
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a small organosulfur compound used as an oral supplement for joint symptoms. Clinical trials and reviews have examined its effects in people with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis and in healthy people with mild knee pain.
Mechanism & Function
Mechanism of Action
Human trials and reviews note proposed anti-inflammatory properties of MSM, though the provided abstracts do not report specific molecular human mechanistic data. Clinical rationale is reduction of inflammatory symptoms in osteoarthritis.
Physiological Role
MSM is a source of dietary sulfur and has been proposed to modulate inflammatory processes associated with joint pain in osteoarthritis, according to the clinical literature summarised in the abstracts.
Primary Pathways
Performance / Health Relevance
MSM has been studied primarily for symptom relief in osteoarthritis and mild knee pain; relevance to athletic performance is indirect (reduced pain, less NSAID use) rather than demonstrated improvements in strength or endurance.
Evidence Review
Practical Use & Dosage
- Minimum Effective Dose
- 2 g/day (as used in a 12‑week RCT)
- Optimal Range
- 2–5 g/day (doses studied in the provided trials: 2 g/day and 5 g/day)
- Upper / Caution Level
- Not established in the provided abstracts
- Timing
- Daily oral dosing
- Best Format
- Oral tablets or capsules
- Bioavailability
- Not established in the provided abstracts
- Absorption Considerations
- Not established in the provided abstracts
Safety & Interactions
Side Effects
- •Generally well tolerated in trials reported
- •Isolated reports of no benefit or transient worsening of pain in combination trial at an early time point
Who Should Avoid
- •People with known hypersensitivity to MSM or formulation excipients
Monitoring
Monitor symptom response and any adverse effects; review need for concomitant NSAIDs as some trials reported reduced NSAID use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.
When is MSM typically used or indicated?
MSM is most commonly used for: Joint pain and osteoarthritis, General joint health, Reducing reliance on NSAIDs. MSM is a source of dietary sulfur and has been proposed to modulate inflammatory processes associated with joint pain in osteoarthritis, according to the clinical literature summarised in the abstracts.
How does MSM work?
Human trials and reviews note proposed anti-inflammatory properties of MSM, though the provided abstracts do not report specific molecular human mechanistic data. Clinical rationale is reduction of inflammatory symptoms in osteoarthritis.
What is the recommended dose of MSM?
The optimal range is 2–5 g/day (doses studied in the provided trials: 2 g/day and 5 g/day). with a minimum effective dose of 2 g/day (as used in a 12‑week RCT). Best taken: Daily oral dosing. Upper / caution level: Not established in the provided abstracts.
What are the side effects of MSM?
Reported side effects include: Generally well tolerated in trials reported; and Isolated reports of no benefit or transient worsening of pain in combination trial at an early time point. Monitoring: Monitor symptom response and any adverse effects; review need for concomitant NSAIDs as some trials reported reduced NSAID use.
Who should avoid MSM?
MSM is generally not recommended for: People with known hypersensitivity to MSM or formulation excipients.
How strong is the evidence for MSM?
Evidence level: Limited (overall score 53/100), based on 5 indexed studies on SuppIndex.
Research & References (5)
Dietary supplements for treating osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of dietary supplements for osteoarthritis, including trials of MSM.
Methylsulfonylmethane Improves Knee Quality of Life in Participants with Mild Knee Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Randomised, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial in healthy Japanese participants with mild knee pain testing 2 g/day MSM for 12 weeks.
[Combination therapy for exacerbations of pain in osteoarthritis with non-fixed combinations].
Phase IV single‑center randomised comparative study of combination therapy for knee osteoarthritis exacerbations comparing regimens with and without added collagen; both regimens included MSM among other agents.
The "MESACA" study: methylsulfonylmethane and boswellic acids in the treatment of gonarthrosis.
Randomised trial (MESACA) comparing MSM (5 g/day) plus boswellic acids versus placebo in patients with knee osteoarthritis over 60 days with follow‑up to 6 months.
Systematic review of the nutritional supplements dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Systematic review of DMSO and MSM in osteoarthritis including six studies; concluded that MSM data were positive but not definitive and highlighted methodological limitations and uncertainty over optimal dose and duration.
Related Ingredients
Other top-rated ingredients in General Health Ingredients.
Piperine
82/100A piperidine alkaloid (C₁₇H₁₉NO₃) that inhibits cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP3A4, CYP1A2, CYP2E1), P-glycoprotein efflux transporters, and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases while enhancing intestinal permeability, digestive enzyme secretion, and splanchnic blood flow — collectively producing dramatic improvements in nutrient bioavailability.
CoQ10
78/100Endogenous lipid-soluble ubiquinone/ubiquinol that shuttles electrons in the mitochondrial respiratory chain and acts as a membrane antioxidant.
Beta-Glucan (Oat)
77/100Multiple randomized trials and meta-analyses report that ≥3 g/day oat beta-glucan lowers LDL and total cholesterol modestly. Acute feeding trials pooled in meta-analysis show dose- and molecular-weight–dependent reductions in postprandial glucose and insulin responses.
Research Overview
Limited EvidenceCite this ingredient
One-click citation export in APA, MLA, Chicago, BibTeX, or HTML. The URL below is stable and safe to link.
Stable URL
https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/msm
SuppIndex. (2026). MSM: Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/msm
Based on 5 indexed studies · Evidence level: Limited.
Goal Ratings
Stack Compatibility
Commonly studied in combination with glucosamine, chondroitin, boswellic acids and collagen in clinical trials; combinational effects vary by study.