I am crazy about MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane). MSM is a natural sulfur compound essential for maintaining overall health and well-being. The benefits are numerous, which is why I recently formulated the ‘beauty mineral’ into my first-ever supplement, holi (radiance). It’s been revolutionary for me on my health journey, and the more I read the literature, I noticed how healing this can be for women. From potentially reducing inflammation to helping with endometriosis, breast cancer, weight gain, metabolic dysfunction, and PMS symptoms, MSM has a wide range of benefits, including the overhaul of hair, skin, and nail health. 

MSM is particularly important for women because they tend to experience greater muscle and joint decline compared to men. This makes additional supplementation of crucial minerals really important. The high sulfur content in MSM can have remarkable benefits for aging women, making them feel extra mobile and active, delivering a more youthful appearance, and slowing the aging process. Let’s dive into the details! 

Powerful Against Endometriosis

Anyone who has followed my journey will know that endometriosis has been a key driver in bringing Agent Nateur into the world. And I’m happy to share that studies have shown MSM to potentially help manage symptoms of endo. I’ve seen the benefits and it’s been a key staple in my wellness supplement routine for years. 

Literature shows that MSM can help in the battle against endo mostly because of its demonstrated ability to relieve pain and inflammation. When rigid fibrous tissue (a symptom of endo) swells and becomes inflamed, these internal lesions can be painful. MSM can restore flexibility and permeability to cell walls, which can help reduce pressure and pain. The benefits don’t stop there. MSM has been shown to promote healing of injured tissues by increasing blood flow and modifying the cross-linkages of collagen. By improving blood flow, MSM helps deliver nutrients and oxygen to the site of injury, supporting tissue repair and regeneration to help keep endo under control. Combine this with the Wurn technique (which was revolutionary for me) and I hope you might seek some relief from battling endo, too.

To that end, research also suggests that MSM downregulates inflammation in the body, which is a key driver of endo. Its anti-inflammatory effects are due in part to its ability to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes, such as COX-2 and TNF-alpha. Downregulating the immune system is critical for managing autoimmune disorders like endo and keeping body-wide inflammation down.

Helps Inhibit Endometrial And Breast Cancer 

Science is also suggesting that MSM might play a beneficial role in cancer treatment, particularly for endometrial and breast cancers. MSM has been found to significantly delay the appearance of tumors and cancers in both breast and colon cancer studies.

Battles Period Pain, PMS Symptoms, And Bloating

Severe period pain can really impact your quality of life, sometimes even making you feel as if you've lost a week of your life every month. Research also shows that regular consumption of MSM can help bring hormones back into balance, enabling the body to function normally, and significantly reduce or eliminate painful period-related symptoms. In addition to pain reduction, MSM can promote better kidney function by reducing water retention, which can help alleviate bloating during your period. Win-win.  

Fights Pelvic Disorders (interstitial cystitis, recurrent thrush, body-wide candida)

Something that women have to deal with that many men might never understand are pelvic pain challenges like interstitial cystitis or chronic and recurrent yeast infections.

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the bladder, and studies have shown that MSM may help the management of these conditions, thanks to its high sulfur content. Key findings from studies on MSM and interstitial cystitis show that the anti-inflammatory properties of MSM may help reduce the inflammation that contributes to the condition. A study published in the Journal of Urology also found that MSM reduced pain and urinary frequency in women and improved bladder function in animals. This might suggest the same benefit in humans.

MSM is also incredible in the fight against candida. It helps cleanse heavy metals like mercury from the body. Candida binds to the mercury present in the tissues in our body and acts as ‘attachment sites.’ For this reason, MSM helps with heavy-metal detoxification, inhibits candida overgrowth, and breaks down the yeast’s biofilm that often protects the yeast from being found and removed by the body’s immune system. This is one of the reasons that candida overgrowth can be hard to manage so this is an incredible potential benefit of MSM.

Helps With Weight Gain And Metabolic Dysfunction

MSM is thought to help with weight gain and metabolic dysfunction. MSM has been studied for its effects on glucose and lipid homeostasis and has been found to have beneficial effects on hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and inflammation. MSM is also thought to be a great therapeutic option for treating obesity-related metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and fatty liver diseases. 

Preserves Skin, Hair Growth, And Collagen 

One of the reasons that I LOVE my new formulation, holi (radiance), is its benefits to help overhaul hair, skin, and nail health. As a key component of amino acid chains, MSM plays a vital role in maintaining the strength and integrity of various tissues in our body and MSM supplementation may help support collagen and keratin production, leading to healthier skin, hair, and nails. 

Sulfur is also rich in two B vitamins, thiamine and biotin, which are essential for strong, healthy, and glowing skin (thiamine) and hair (biotin). One study found that combining MSM with MAP (a form of vitamin C) resulted in hair growth comparable to or better than minoxidil 5%, a pharmaceutical drug with potential side effects. 

MSM has been shown to have collagen-preserving properties, inhibiting the breakdown of collagen in the body. As we age, collagen production naturally declines, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. By adding MSM into our well-being routine alongside holi (mane), it will reduce potential collagen loss promoting youthful, glowing and healthy skin.

A double-blind study study found that individuals who supplemented with 3g of MSM daily for 16 weeks experienced significant improvements in skin firmness, tone, texture, and reduction in crow's feet, when compared to those who took a placebo. MSM can even help reduce stretch marks too! 

Supports Motility And Mobility 

Unfortunately, many women think that reduced mobility and ease of movement as they age is something that can’t be avoided. The truth? MSM is an ingredient that can aid in joint protection and mobility maintenance for older women. It helps to protect the body from oxidative damage by enhancing the natural antioxidant capacity of the body, which neutralizes harmful free radicals. As a result, the reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress helps to protect the joints and allows users to maintain their mobility while aging gracefully. It also helps with post-exercise recovery.

Helps With Weight Reduction

Something I wish that people knew more was that inflammation in the body can manifest as excess weight. The frustrating belly fat pouch that you can’t get rid of, or the build-up of cellulite, is often caused by chronically inflamed cells retaining toxins and waste products. Sulfur plays a crucial role in removing these toxins and waste products, and MSM is a rich source of sulfur that can aid in the process. MSM can help facilitate the removal of metabolic waste products from the cells, reducing inflammation and excess fluids. This, in turn, can result in a natural leaning out of the body. According to a review published in Nutrients in March 2017, there is also a link between obesity and inflammation, further supporting this suggestion that MSM could help with weight reduction.

Helps The Body Adapt To Stress

Life is stressful and as we age, that stress doesn’t disappear. Much like adaptogenic herbs and my own formulation, MSM can help reduce cortisol levels within the body. A 2016 study showed that MSM can reduce the release of inflammatory molecules in response to exercise, allowing the body to recover from post-exercise stress and inflammation. 

So, the more and more I read and learn about MSM, the more I'm convinced that my new holi (radiance) supplementation is needed now more than ever. With busy schedules, crazy lives, and limited time, taking one supplement that works on multiple issues can save time and effort. And with MSM, it targets so many health concerns and challenges at once.

MSM is a simple but life-changing supplement. Please share this article with a female close to you that needs MSM in their wellness routine. 

***THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA. WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST***