MSM is the short and commonly-used name for methylsulfonylmethane (pronounced METH-el-sul-FON-il-METH-ane).
It is a natural form of organic sulphur found in tiny amounts in the fluid and tissues of all living organisms.
Sulphur is a vital building block of joints, cartilage, skin, hair and nails, and methyl groups, which support many vital biochemical processes in the body, including energy production.
MSM can be used as a safe nutritional supplement for a range of conditions in animals and humans.
When phytoplankton and algae die and decompose they release sulphur compounds into the air where they are transformed to Dimethyl sulfide (known as DMS). In the presence of ozone and sunlight, DMS is converted to Dimethyl sulfoxide (known as DMSO) and MSM. Both these substances are water-soluble so when it rains they return to the ground in rainwater and are absorbed by plants which in turn are eaten by animals.
MSM is present in fresh, raw fruit and vegetables, milk, meat, seafood and some grains. But it is not possible to extract it directly from these products because the concentrations are so small. Typically MSM and DMSO appear in quantities of less than one part-per-million. The highest concentration is found in mammal's milk, but even this is just 8.2 parts-per-million.
For this reason MSM for horses has to be manufactured if it is to be administered as a nutritional equine supplement, and there are ways to ensure that the MSM for horses created is chemically identical to the MSM produced by nature.
What can MSM for horses be used for?
MSM is believed to be effective in increasing joint comfort and supporting comfortable and easy movement.
MSM is 34% sulphur, a naturally-occurring nutrient that is essential for maintaining healthy cartilage and connective tissue in and around joints and taking MSM can reduce joint pain and inflammation many people believe.
MSM sulphur helps cells to regenerate in the body and so it can be taken as a preventative measure or to help ease pain and rebuild healthy cells when a problem has been diagnosed with joints.
Because it has anti-allergy properties, MSM taken orally has helped some people minimise their allergic response to pollen and foods.
MSM has been known for its pain-relieving properties for several decades and is now recommended by vets as well as doctors, chiropractors and physiotherapists.
MSM is widely used around the world for safe natural relief of chronic pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia pain and inflammation, relief from allergies, back pain, and to relieve muscle pain and inflammation. It is also used as a constituent in many health supplementss.
In the area of horse health, the three most-common reasons for horse owners to administer MSM for horses are:
| 1. |
Joint health – Several pre-clinical and clinical studies support the effectiveness of MSM in supporting good joint health and mobility. Research points to the ability of MSM to protect and repair cartilage. |
| 2. |
Respiratory health – Supplementing MSM for horses appears to improve upper and lower respiratory symptoms due to seasonal allergies. |
| 3. |
Hoof health - MSM is a rich source of sulphur which is a key, natural building block for healthy hooves. |
In the area of canine health, the three most-common reasons for dog owners to administer MSM are joint health and respiratory health – as listed above. Dogs’ nails, like horses’ hooves contain sulphur, so MSM keeps them in good condition too.
The safety of MSM for horses
Published scientific studies have shown MSM to be safe for animals and humans. Even when it is taken at high doses over long periods of time, there are no known significant adverse effects or drug interactions. This means that MSM can be taken alongside other treatments or medications.
MSM is held to be one of the safest and most effective products on the nutritional health supplement market today, but buyers should ensure that they only buy high quality MSM from reputable companies like PegasusHealth.com where they can be assured they are buying highly-purified forms of MSM where any potentially-damaging toxins or impurities have been removed during the manufacturing process.
How is MSM for horses made?
MSM is commercially manufactured by using a chemical synthesis process of reacting Dimethyl sulfoxide with hydrogen peroxide. This reaction forms a new molecule: MSM or Dimethyl sulfone.
After reaction, a purification process is needed to remove any impurities from the MSM. Purity of MSM for horses is achieved by distillation or crystallisation.
Distillation is accepted as the superior method for producing high purity MSM. Heat is used to separate compounds by their unique boiling points. MSM’s boiling point of 478° F (248° C) allows pure MSM to be isolated from solution.
Distilled MSM has a low moisture content, which reduces the risk of microbial contamination and product degradation.
Purification by crystallisation, on the other hand, uses a wash and centrifuge process to separate impurities and by-products introduced during manufacturing. The purity of the crystals depends on the quality of the water and the raw materials used in manufacturing.
If MSM for horses is not manufactured using high quality methods and control, there is a chance of contamination.
A good MSM manufacturer uses quality control and rigorous product testing to ensure purity.
MSM produced synthetically to a high standard is identical to the MSM found in nature – having the same molecular compounds.
How does MSM for horses work?
The exact way in which MSM works is still being investigated by scientific researchers.
It is believed to be most likely that MSM inhibits inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes, hormone-like substances that create inflammatory cascades in the body associated with pain production.
It is presumed, though not proven, that the beneficial clinical effects noted on joint cartilage, animal coats, nails and hooves has to do with MSM's sulphur content.
The best-researched use of MSM for horses is in the area of joint pain – reducing discomfort and pain that arises from degenerative conditions including osteoarthritis and from injuries and conditions like tendonitis or joint sprains.
Sulphur is abundant in connective tissue, and lack of sulphur in connective tissue is known to lead to problems. Because MSM is 34% sulphur, it is likely that healthy connective tissue is helped by MSM supplementation.
MSM for horses delivers sulphur to the body in a useable way.
MSM is a dietary supplement and should not be used to treat serious diseases unless under the supervision of a vet or doctor.
MSM for horses can be supplemented alone or in combination with other equine joint supplements, such as glucosamine for horses and chondroitin sulphate.
PegasusHealth.com sell MSM for horses which is 99.9% pure pharmaceutical-grade Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) with no added bulkers or fillers. Please click here for the product page.
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