TL;DR SUMMARY:
The amount of time that MSM stays in your system depends on a number of factors, such as your metabolism and the dosage of the MSM supplement that you took. MSM is a very stable source of sulfur and methyl groups; it has been detected in human urine samples for as long as 480 hours. Determining the half-life of MSM can be tricky, it can range anywhere from 12-96+ hours. [1, 2]
What is MSM?
MSM is a naturally occurring organic chemical compound. It is found in plants and animals, and it is also produced by the human body. MSM has been found to have many health benefits. It can help with joint pain, reduce inflammation, improve skin appearance, and boost the immune system.
Some other chemical names for MSM are methylsulfonylmethane, pyruvic acid, sulfanilic acid, and dimethyl amine. MSM has been found to have many health benefits, including improving brain function, relieving pain and inflammation, helping with recovery after exercise, and raising energy levels.
MSM is also found in many products that you might use on your skin such as toothpaste, face wash, and moisturizer. It has anti-inflammatory properties which make it good for people who have arthritis or other inflammatory conditions.
How Does MSM Work?
MSM works by serving as a building block for collagen and other compounds required for your body to create and maintain healthy joint tissue.
Not only is MSM vital in maintaining the structural integrity of your body, but it is also anti-inflammatory in nature. MSM has been used for centuries to treat skin conditions such as eczema and acne. MSM is also known to be beneficial for people with inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and asthma.
MSM supplements are made from a variety of sources such as seaweed, garlic, and yeast. The most popular form of MSM tends to be the powder form which can be mixed with water or juice for consumption.
Studies show that taking MSM is a safe and effective way of bolstering your joint function, flexibility, and motility while reducing joint inflammation. Some clinical evidence suggests that MSM supplements could even slow down cartilage breakdown as you age.
How Long Does MSM Stay in Your System?
The length of time that MSM stays in your system depends on many factors, including your metabolism and the dosage of MSM. Generally speaking, the half-life of MSM seems to be between 24-96 hours. This means that after a certain number of hours, half of the MSM that you ingested has left your system. Therefore, you could say that the MSM supplement stays in your system for approximately 24 hours after ingestion.
The Optimal MSM Dosage
MSM supplements have been shown to be safe in doses of 500-1500mg per day. Even higher dosages, up to 3000mg per day have been shown to have no side effects.
That doesn’t mean you need to go that high. Low doses of MSM, such as 100mg per day, are potentially effective at supporting joint health, flexibility, and inflammation levels. It is always best to stick to lower doses of the supplement, especially if you’re taking it long-term. This minimizes the risk of side effects. Once you get the “feeling” for a supplement, you can gradually increase the dosage until you get the desired effect.
Further Reading:
REFERENCES
- https://www.kalahealth.eu/msm-product-information/#:~:text=The%20half%20time%20of%20MSM,methyl%20groups%20for%20the%20body.
- Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ. Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement. Nutrients. 2017 Mar 16;9(3):290. doi: 10.3390/nu9030290. PMID: 28300758; PMCID: PMC5372953.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5372953/
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