I am doing more research on MSM pills and drops.
It is interesting I and many surgeon-colleagues have not heard about this option.
SLC
JMIR Res Protoc. 2018 Nov; 7(11): e11139.
Published online 2018 Nov 29. doi: 10.2196/11139
PMCID: PMC6293242
PMID: 30497995
Evaluating the Impacts of Methylsulfonylmethane on Allergic Rhinitis After a Standard Allergen Challenge: Randomized Double-Blind Exploratory Study
Monitoring Editor: Gunther Eysenbach and Nicola Kuter
Reviewed by Carmi Geller-Bernstein and Kruthika Sundaram
Susan Hewlings, PhD
#1 and Douglas S Kalman, PhD#2
#1 and Douglas S Kalman, PhD#2
1 Department of Nutrition, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
2 Nova Southeastern University, Health Professionals Division, Exercise Science, Davie, FL, United States
Susan Hewlings, Department of Nutrition, Central Michigan University, 1200 S Franklin St, Mount Pleasant, MI,, United States, Phone: 1 321 377 4522, Email: moc.liamg@sgnilweh.eus.
Abstract
Background
The sulfur-containing compound methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) has been used as a dietary supplement for a variety of reported health benefits. Clinical observations and case studies have indicated that MSM may help alleviate allergic rhinitis; however, this effect has not been evaluated under controlled conditions.
Objective
This study aimed to determine the effects of MSM consumption on allergic rhinitis symptoms after provocation with a standardized allergen.
Methods
We recruited healthy participants with a history of allergic nasal congestion to participate in a randomized, double-blind, adaptive-design study. Participants were administered a standardized allergen in clinic to determine the presence or absence of an allergic response. Participant responses were recorded using a recognized measure of nasal patency, peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), and by a visual analog scale to score the severity of their allergy-related nasal symptoms. After we collected baseline nasal responses to allergen, followed by a 1-week washout period, participants returned to the clinic and were exposed to allergen after taking an acute high dose of 12 g of MSM. We then randomly assigned participants to a lower dose of MSM (1 g, 3 g, or 6 g), which they consumed once a day for 14 days. Participants returned to the clinic for repeat assessments while again taking their assigned daily dose of MSM.
Results
All MSM treatment courses significantly reduced visual analog scale average nasal symptoms in a longitudinal comparison across all participants, with low-dose treatments decreasing symptoms by 53.72% (P=.001), and an acute 12-g dose decreasing symptoms by 22.49% (P=.03). Although the acute dose of MSM did not yield significant changes in nasal patency, low “everyday” doses significantly relieved nasal obstruction as indicated by a 17.32% (P=.02) increase in PNIF across all participants. The most effective dose across all measurements was daily consumption of 3 g of MSM, which significantly decreased all nasal symptoms (nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, watery or itchy eyes and nose, and sneezing) and further was found to significantly (P=.01) increase PNIF.
Conclusions
The MSM study product provided significant relief of allergic rhinitis symptoms and objective nasal obstruction measurements without the occurrence of adverse events. Oral consumption of the study product may reduce the symptoms and onset of allergic rhinitis without the side effects associated with standard-care medication.
Trial Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02342483; https://clinicaltrials-gov.proxy1.library.jhu.edu/ct2/show/NCT02342483 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/73vLKNvAp)
Keywords: methylsulfonylmethane, sulfur, allergies, allergic rhinitis, supplements
Introduction
Background
Allergic rhinitis, or nasal allergy, is an extremely common ailment that occurs when the nasal mucosa undergoes inflammation in response to inhaled allergens [1]. The prevalence of this condition ranges from 10% to 20% in the United States [2]. It is characterized by several uncomfortable symptoms: red itchy eyes; a blocked, itching, runny nose (a group of symptoms referred to as rhinorrhea); and sneezing. Other reported symptoms include throat clearing, headaches, facial pain, ear pain, itchy throat and palate, snoring, and sleep disturbances. Severe allergic rhinitis can significantly affect the patient’s quality of life, sleep, and work performance [3]. Nasal allergy commonly occurs when an individual’s immune system overreacts to allergens such as grass, weed, or tree pollens; house dust; mites; mold; and animal dander [4,5].
Allergic rhinitis was previously considered to be a disorder localized in the nasal passages, but emerging research indicates that the entire respiratory tract is involved. Close physiological, functional, and immunological relationships exist between the upper (nose, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, and larynx) and lower (trachea, bronchial tubes, bronchioles, and lungs) respiratory tracts [6]. Although allergic rhinitis can be considered a simple nuisance in the case of mild symptoms, it has been classified as a chronic disease that should be addressed by a physician [7]. Allergic rhinitis is also associated with serious inflammatory disorders, including asthma. In fact, 80% of asthmatic patients have allergic rhinitis and 40% of rhinitis patients have asthma [8,9]. Allergic rhinitis is controlled by various palliative therapies, most commonly antihistamine medications, which often produce sedative side effects [10].
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), also known as dimethyl sulfone and methyl sulfone, is an organic compound containing sulfur that occurs naturally in the body, as well as in a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and animals [5]. Orally and topically, it is used to treat chronic and musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, joint inflammation, exercise-induced muscle damage, hemorrhoids, and rosacea [11]. However, only a few studies have reported the potential benefits of MSM in treating allergic rhinitis and allergic sinusitis [12,13].
One multicenter human trial found that the consumption of 2.6 g of MSM effectively reduced symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). This dose of MSM improved the frequency of upper respiratory signs and symptoms such as runny nose, nasal obstruction, and paroxysmal sneezing after a week of oral intake [13]. However, that study prompted criticism because it lacked quantification of pollen count each participant was exposed to [14]. In this study, we aimed to address the efficacy of MSM treatment using controlled standardized conditions in healthy participants with a history of SAR.
MSM is considered safe for consumption, as clinical studies have reported few, if any, side effects in a human population [13]. Moreover, in rats, MSM administered at 2 g/kg, a dose 5 to 7 times the maximum recommended dose for humans, was well tolerated and elicited no adverse events or deaths. No gross pathological lesions or changes in organ weights were observed, and renal history appeared to be normal in treated rats [12]. Similarly, oral intake of MSM also led to no adverse events in pregnant rats [15], suggesting it is safe for consumption even at high doses.
Objective
This randomized, double-blind, adaptive-design study aimed to assess the efficacy of the MSM study product in attenuating nasal provocation after exposure to standardized allergens. End points were percentage change in peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and visual analog scale (VAS) nasal symptom score in response to allergen exposure.