If you are learning about MSM and are considering purchasing a health supplement, it can be very overwhelming.
Many people are unsure how to take this beneficial sulfur supplement. They often wonder, what form of MSM is the best for me? How often should I take it? What is the correct dosage?
That often depends on what MSM uses and benefits you are trying to achieve.
This article will cover everything you need to know about the different forms and correct dosages of MSM. This way, you will feel confident when purchasing and using a natural sulfur supplement.
Contents
The 3 Different Types of MSM
If you have already searched for a MSM supplement, then you know that it comes in many forms. Depending on what health issue you plan to use it for, particular types may have advantages over another.
In the following sections, we will go over each form in detail and go over the best way to take MSM for the best results.
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1. MSM Powder or Flakes
This is one of the most popular forms of MSM supplements and it is taken orally.
This way of taking it is helpful when trying to achieve the anti-aging benefits of msm such as reducing inflammation throughout the body, boosting the immune system, improving recovery after exercise, and reducing allergy symptoms.
Some people do not like taking it this way because of its bitter taste, but it is the purest form of methylsulfonylmethane. All the other versions have added ingredients.
How To Take MSM Powder
First off, to take MSM powder, most people mix their dose with water. Then they drink the mixture.
It is best to use as little water as possible to swallow it in one shot. Drinking larger glasses of MSM and water can be very difficult to get through because of the taste.
Because the benefits of taking MSM powder are not immediate, it is recommended to take MSM powder daily. This will enable the sulfur to continue working throughout your body.
On the Kala Health label, they recommend a dosage of 2 to 4 grams per day as a dietary supplement and 6 to 12 grams for special conditions. They also mention that it is best when taken in the morning.
2. MSM Cream
This topical form of MSM is an excellent alternative to the other options.
First off, it is excellent to use for pain relief in specific areas. Many people use it as a way to relieve joint pain and discomfort.
Secondly, MSM cream is also commonly used to help with skin problems. Many people use it to reduce scarring from acne and to improve skin quality. The best MSM creams are really effective at targeting specific issues.
How To Use MSM Cream
To use MSM cream, simply rub it on the affected area, and you may notice relief from joint pain in as little as 4 minutes. When using MSM cream topically, you do not need to worry about the dosage. You can reapply the cream to the affected areas as needed.
To be safe, only use MSM creams externally. There may be other ingredients in it that are not meant for internal use. Be sure to avoid contact with the eyes and open wounds.
3. MSM Capsules or Pills
Another way to take MSM supplements orally is through capsules or pills. These are very similar to the other ingested versions in many ways.
It has the same health benefits and recommended dosages. The only difference is that it is in capsule form. This has 2 main advantages and 1 main disadvantage.
First, and most importantly, by taking MSM in capsule form, you get to avoid that extremely bitter taste. This is very important to some people because the bitter taste can be a deal-breaker that makes them not want to use internal supplementation.
Secondly, it is easier to get accurate dosages. Instead of having to measure out teaspoons and tablespoons, it is conveniently in specific doses. Most capsules contain 1000mg of methylsulfonylmethane in each pill.
On the other hand, one disadvantage is you are adding something extra for your body to digest and process. Of course, I am referring to the actual capsule. Often, these casings are vegetarian friendly and claim to be 100% natural and made of cellulose. But regardless, it adds in an extra element that makes it less pure than the actual powder.
How to Take MSM Capsules
Taking MSM this way is very similar to taking the powder. Simply swallow the number of pills that make up your dose.
Again, the recommended maintenance dose from the manufacturers is 2 to 4g per day. So, if each pill is 1000mg, you should take 2 to 4 capsules per day. For special conditions, Kala Health says you can take up to 8 capsules per day.
More Information on Dosage
First off, most of the scientific studies looked at the effectiveness of using MSM supplements daily with dosages of 3g per day on their patients. A few of them used dosages of 6g daily, and one even went as high as 12g per day. (1)(2)(3)
The odd thing is that the study that used a dose of 12g noticed that smaller dosages of 3g were more effective.
So it does not necessarily mean that more is better.
Secondly, the cream can have short term relief for pain and skin problems, but the MSM powder and capsules have shown to be most effective with improving health with long term use.
For this reason, this supplement should be used every day to get the best results.
Finally, certain manufacturers (such as NOW Foods) warn that there can be specific side effects such as digestive problems such as gas and bloating. They recommend that if you notice any side effects, then you should lower the dosage.
Conclusion
When taken in addition to a healthy diet, MSM supplements can have numerous benefits for your overall health and wellness.
By knowing the recommended dosages of each form of MSM, you are one step closer to improving your nutrition and diet.
In this article, we continually recommend Kala Health because it is the only MSM containing OptiMSM. OptiMSM is the specific type of MSM that is used in the scientific studies and recommended by researchers.
As with any dietary supplements, please consult with your doctor or healthcare professional before starting any supplementation plan. The information in this article is for educational purposes only.
References:
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/…
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/…
My passion for health and wellness started in 2009. My personal mission is to help inspire and guide people on their health journey. I am currently a NASM certified nutrition coach.