What is Methyl Sulfonyl Methane?
Methyl Sulfonyl Methane (MSM) is an organic sulfur compound, also known as organic sulfur. Methyl sulfoxide widely exists in nature in plants, animals, and human tissues and can be prepared synthetically. Methyl sulfoxide is usually a white crystalline powder that is odorless and tasteless and has high solubility in water. It participates in various biochemical processes in organisms and has a variety of physiological functions and medical applications. Joint methyl sulfoxide supplements are sold in solid, powder, tablet, or liquid form for oral or topical use.
What is Chondroitin Sulfate?
Chondroitin Sulfate (CS) is a polysaccharide compound in cartilage tissue and a sulfate glycan. Chondroitin sulfate is one of the most critical components of cartilage tissue and occupies an essential position in the cartilage matrix.
Source
Methyl Sulfonyl Methane:
Plants: MSM is found in many plants, especially some vegetables, fruits, and seaweeds. For example, vegetables such as onions, garlic, brassicas, radishes, beets, spinach, and fruits such as strawberries, papayas, and pineapples all contain a certain amount of MSM. In addition, seaweed is also rich in MSM.
Animal tissues: MSM is also found in animal tissues, especially in some mammals' muscles, bones, and connective tissues. For example, meat, fish, poultry, and other foods contain some MSM.
Soil and water sources: MSM can also be absorbed from soil and water sources, enter the root system of plants, and be transported to various parts of the plant as the plant grows. Therefore, the quality of soil and water sources will also affect the MSM content in plants.
Artificial synthesis: Besides natural sources, MSM can be prepared through chemical synthesis. In the laboratory, MSM can be synthesized from simple compounds using various methods to obtain high-purity MSM products.
Chondroitin Sulfate:
Animal cartilage: Chondroitin sulfate is mainly extracted from animal cartilage tissue. Commonly used cartilage sources include cattle, pigs, chickens, and other animals. Chondroitin sulfate is usually extracted from cartilage tissue and undergoes a series of processing and purification steps to obtain a high-purity chondroitin sulfate product.
Fish cartilage: Besides mammalian cartilage, fish cartilage also contains a certain amount of chondroitin sulfate. Cartilage from certain fish species, such as shark cartilage, is used as a source of chondroitin sulfate.
Effect
Methyl Sulfonyl Methane:
Reduces symptoms of arthritis: MSM is widely used to relieve symptoms of arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is thought to reduce joint pain, swelling, and stiffness and improve joint mobility and function. MSM may reduce inflammation, promote cartilage repair, and protect joint tissue.
Muscle Pain Relief: MSM is also used to relieve muscle pain and inflammation, such as in sports injuries, muscle strains, and muscle soreness. It is thought to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing muscle discomfort and pain.
Improve skin health: MSM is used to improve skin health, such as treating acne, eczema, rosacea, and other skin problems. It is thought to promote skin cell renewal and repair, reduce skin inflammation and lesions, and improve skin appearance and texture.
Promotes hair and nail health: MSM is also thought to have health benefits for hair and nails. It promotes hair growth and strength, reducing breakage and brittleness. At the same time, MSM can also enhance nails' hardness and breakage resistance.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory: MSM has specific antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which can neutralize free radicals, reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions, protect cells from damage, and help maintain cell health and function.
Supports the immune system: Some studies show that MSM may support immune system function, helping to improve the body's resistance to infection and disease and reducing inflammatory and allergic reactions.
Chondroitin Sulfate:
Maintain joint health: Chondroitin sulfate is one of the essential components of cartilage tissue and can help maintain the structure and function of joints. It can increase the elasticity and toughness of cartilage tissue, reduce friction between joints, and protect joint surfaces, helping reduce joint pain and stiffness and improve joint mobility.
Reduces symptoms of arthritis: Chondroitin sulfate is widely used to reduce the symptoms of joint diseases such as arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is thought to reduce joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, improve joint function, and slow down the process of joint degeneration.
Promote cartilage repair: Chondroitin sulfate can promote the proliferation and secretion of cartilage cells, increase the synthesis and repair of cartilage tissue, help reduce the destruction and degradation of cartilage, and promote the repair and regeneration of cartilage tissue.
Protect articular cartilage: Chondroitin sulfate has specific antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which can reduce the damage to cartilage tissue caused by oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions, protect articular cartilage from harm, and delay the process of cartilage degeneration.
Improve joint lubrication: Chondroitin sulfate is hygroscopic and can absorb water from joint fluid, increase joint lubrication, reduce friction and wear between joints, and protect joint cartilage.
Reduces the risk of cartilage degradation: By promoting cartilage repair and protecting joint cartilage, chondroitin sulfate can reduce the risk of cartilage degradation and slow the progression of degenerative joint diseases.
Price
Methyl Sulfonyl Methane:
Purity and specifications: MSM products vary in price depending on their purity and specifications. High-purity MSM products are typically relatively expensive, while low-purity or mixed MSM products are lower.
Brand awareness: MSM products from well-known brands usually have higher prices because they have greater recognition and credibility in the market. Some famous brands may invest more money in product research and development, production, and promotion, increasing product prices.
Sales channel: The sales channel of MSM products will also affect the price. Generally speaking, the cost of MSM products purchased in professional health food stores, pharmacies, or medical institutions may be relatively high. In contrast, the prices of MSM products purchased in online retail platforms or supermarkets may be relatively low.
Market supply and demand: MSM products' supply and demand relationship will also affect the price. If there is high demand and limited supply in the market, prices may rise; or if supply is sufficient but demand is insufficient, prices may fall.
Packaging and specifications: MSM products have different packaging and specifications, and prices will vary. Generally speaking, the cost of MSM products in large packages or high specifications is relatively high. In contrast, the prices of MSM products in small packages or low specifications are relatively low.
Chondroitin Sulfate:
Purity and Specification: High-purity chondroitin sulfate is usually more expensive because its extraction and processing processes are relatively complex and require more costs. In addition, the price of chondroitin sulfate will differ depending on the specifications (such as powder, capsule, or tablet).
Source: The source of chondroitin sulfate affects its price. Generally speaking, the cost of chondroitin sulfate from high-quality animal cartilage (such as cow, chicken, shark, etc.) is higher. In contrast, the price from other sources (such as fish gills, seaweed, etc.) may be relatively low.
Brand: Well-known chondroitin sulfate brands usually cost more because they enjoy greater recognition and credibility in the market. In comparison, products from some minor or unknown brands may be relatively low-priced.
Sales Channel: The sales channel of chondroitin sulfate will also affect the price. Generally speaking, the cost of chondroitin sulfate purchased at professional health food stores, pharmacies, or medical institutions may be relatively high. In contrast, the price purchased at online retail platforms or supermarkets may be relatively low.
Market supply and demand: The supply and demand relationship of chondroitin sulfate will also affect the price. If there is high demand and limited supply in the market, prices may rise; or if supply is sufficient but demand is insufficient, prices may fall.
