Revista de Nutrição e Ciências Alimentares
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Blood MSM Concentrations Following Escalating Dosages Of Oral MSM In Men And Women

Richard J Bloomer, Matthew Butawan, Ling Lin, Dejian Ma and Charles R Yates

Background: Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organosulfur compound used as a dietary supplement. We determined the plasma MSM concentration following four months of oral MSM supplementation at escalating dosages.

Methods: 45 men and women (25 ± 5 years) participated in this study. Subjects were assigned to ingest either 1, 2, or 3 grams of MSM daily for 16 weeks. Blood was collected at baseline and following weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16 and analyzed for plasma MSM concentration using a LC-MS/MS method.

Results: A group (p<0.0001), time (p<0.0001), and group x time (p=0.0005) interaction was noted. Values were higher for the 2 and 3 grams/day group as compared to the 1 gram/day group and were also higher for the 3 grams/day group as compared to the 2 grams/day group (p<0.05). Values at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16 were higher as compared to baseline (p<0.05) but no differences were noted between weeks 4-16 (p>0.05). With regards to the interaction, at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16, values were higher for the 3 grams/day group as compared to the 1 gram/ day group (p<0.05). Although a gender effect was noted (p=0.01), with higher overall plasma MSM values in women (1082 ± 1006 μM) as compared to men (845 ± 805 μM), no gender interactions were noted (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Both men and women respond to MSM supplementation in a similar manner as related to plasma MSM concentration. A higher dose of supplement results in a greater plasma MSM concentration. Values reach peak concentration within the initial 4 weeks of supplementation and do not increase further during subsequent weeks of treatment.