Methylsulfonulmethane (MSM) is a naturally occurring sulfur compound and nutritional component of many foods. MSM belongs to a family of compounds that are abundant in the food chains of terrestrial and ocean life.
How sulfur is absorbed into the diet is very interesting – MSM gets into the diet through the sulfur cycle. The sulfur cycle begins in the ocean, where algae and phytoplankton release sulfur compounds, called tertiary dimethylsulfonium salts. These salts are transformed to dimethyl sulfide (DMS). In the presence of ozone and high-energy ultraviolet light, DMS is converted into DMSO and MSM, both of which are soluble in water. They return to the earth in rainfall and are subsequently taken into the roots systems of plants.
Commercial extraction of MSM from trees is not possible so a process is undertaken which parallels the natural oxidation that occurs in the marine atmosphere and produces MSM that is chemically identical to that found in nature.
BEAUTY MINERAL FOR PERFECT SKIN
Sulfur has long been a valued medicine in dermatology. Approximately half of the body’s sulphur content is found in the skin, muscles, cartilage and bones.
Known both as the ‘beauty mineral’ and the ‘healing mineral’ for its ability to support collagen production, promote circulation and decrease inflammation MSM also neutralizes free radical molecules that damage skin. MSM provides elasticity and healing repair to skin tissues. It may even alter cross-linkages, smoothing out scars.
Sulfur supports the body’s production of glutathione. And glutathione is an endogenous antioxidant. That means that it is produced from within our body. Antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress by protecting our bodies from free radicals, which causes cell damage and leads to the breakdown of the cell. Premature cell breakdown is responsible for many problems including early aging, heart disease, and cancer.
MSM slows down the loss of collagen, stabilizes connective tissues, and is important for clearing toxic build up both on a cellular level and in the body as a whole. Sulphur is structurally and functionally important to 150 bodily compounds and performs a number of important functions within the body. MSM protects the lining of the digestive tract from parasites and pathogens which is important for skin since when leaky gut or dysbiosis occurs in the digestive tract, skin suffers.
RE-HYDRATE DRY SKIN
Sulfur is one of the best ingredients to look for if you have chronically dry or mature skin that has lost a lot of its elasticity.
MSM softens the skin, making it smoother, hydrated and much more flexible. If it is an ingredient in your facial moisturizer it will also help other ingredients gain entry into the skin cells so as to hydrate them more effectively.
Taking MSM internally can also help with the cell permeability, and therefore more absorbent and receptive to plumping and hydration. It can help the other ingredients gain entry to the skin cells in order to hydrate them internally as a supplement, especially when plenty of water is taken in throughout the day to enhance consistent skin hydration.
CALM INFLAMMATORY SKIN CONDITIONS
The sulfur compound also has an anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing effect, which may be useful for inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis. It also may help smooth and soften acne scars and hasten the healing of existing lesions.
Taking MSM powder is one of the easy ways to reduce inflammation. Sulfur regulates the sodium/potassium balance bringing in nutrients and oxygen to cells and neutralizing wastes. Sulfur increases cell-wall permeability. This enables the cells to release toxins such as chemicals and heavy metals while absorbing crucial nutrients and water. Trapped toxins within a cell keep it in a swollen state in order to protect itself. Releasing the toxins enables the cell to return to normal.
DIMINISH HYPER-PIGMENTATION AND AGE SPOTS
MSM has been shown to reduce hyper-pigmentation issues such as melasma, scarring, age spots, freckles, and sun damage both as an internal supplement and external application although most people consistently reported greater success when using it topically for this purpose. It has a brightening and luminating effect on the skin, and over time may also help reduce uneven skin tone and help correct areas of darker pigmentation as well. The exact mechanism of this topical skin lightening and brightening effects is not clear, although it is likely due to its ability to soften the cells.
REVERSE WRINKLES AND SCARS
There are two major structural proteins that are a factor in skin health. Collagen and keratin.
MSM plays an important part in helping collagen production, because it is also dependent on sulfur. This structural protein is the main component of connective tissue and it makes up to 35% of the whole human body protein content. It helps make up bone, ligaments, and tendons. But the two most important places that you find it is in your skin and your heart. Together, with elastin, it helps the skin snap back into place. And without it, you will begin to see wrinkles and skin damage appear.
Secondly, “MSM has been suggested to have therapeutic uses for the improvement of skin quality and texture by acting as a sulfur donor to keratin. Again, this is because sulfur plays an important role in the formation of it. Sulfur works together with Vitamin C to build new, healthy tissues and it can normalize collagen and keratin formation, radically improving health of our skin, hair, and nails. Both collagen and keratin play a role in tissue repair and formation which is essential to the recovery of the body and a healthy appearance.
GROW HEALTHY HAIR AND NAILS
Sulphur is essential for cartilage strength and to build keratin – the fibrous protein out of which hair and nails are made. With extra MSM your nails grow faster and stronger. Your hair gets thicker and shinier.
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