MSM
A sulfur compound added to most joint formulas. The trials behind it are small, short, and mostly funded by its suppliers.
What it’s good for
MSM for Joint Pain
No Benefit4 studies · 2 supporting · 2 against
How it was tested: The largest trial of MSM by itself found no benefit.
A sulfur donor, proposed to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
Dose: 3000–6000 mg
Tested as: MSM alone, 3–6 g daily for up to twelve weeks
2 studies · 1 supporting · 1 against
How it was tested: An 88-person trial found no difference in inflammatory markers between MSM and placebo.
Proposed to lower inflammatory signalling as a sulfur donor.
Dose: 3000–6000 mg
Tested as: MSM alone — but measured as a side finding in trials designed to look at something else
2 studies · 1 supporting · 1 against
How it was tested: MSM shifted some blood markers of oxidative stress after exercise, but did not significantly improve the things athletes care about — soreness, fatigue or muscle damage.
Proposed to reduce the oxidative stress that follows hard exercise.
Dose: 3000 mg
Tested as: MSM alone, around 3 g daily, in very small groups of exercising adults