Sally Harper
Senior Editor
Health & Wellness Advice
You may not know how to pronounce it, but methylsulfonylmethane (also known as MSM) is becoming an increasingly popular sulfur-containing supplement for optimizing health and wellbeing. Connective tissue – found mainly in joints, muscles and skin – needs sulfur to support, protect, and provide structure for other tissues and organs in the entire body.
Because of this, people everywhere are reaching for MSM supplements to help with a plethora of health benefits such as supporting joint health, reducing inflammation, promoting muscle recovery, relieving allergy symptoms, boosting skin health, enhancing the immune system and strengthening antioxidant defenses.
However, it can be beyond confusing for consumers, not knowing which MSM products are worth buying and which are worthless fakes. We carefully examined which products are backed up with scientific support and real explanations as to why they have formulated their version of an MSM supplement in the way that they have or how exactly they work to help improve overall health.
5 Things To Look Out For In An Effective MSM Supplement
- It should provide a 2000mg of MSM for optimal results and efficacy.
- It should contain 100% OptiMSM®, the only MSM which is GRAS-designated for 100% purity and safety.
- It should be distilled and not crystallized to ensure zero contamination.
- It should contain a thermogenic ingredient to aid nutrient absorption for increased bioavailability and faster results.
- It should be manufactured in the USA for optimal safety.
What We Uncovered
Immediately, we were able to spot those that were simply out to make a quick return and cash in on the latest health trend versus the products that we consider to be high-quality and effective products that bring positive results.
- In short, many of the MSM supplements do not contain the correct doses that have been shown to get great results such as offering a high dose of 2000mg daily serving of MSM and an ingredient to ensure faster absorption of MSM in the body which can speed up results. Many do not have any scientific or clinical support as to how they will be effective.
- What’s more, they do not contain OptiMSM® and are therefore not 100% certified for purity which can mean that they may include unnecessary or even harmful ingredients such as metals and/or contaminants. Some formulas do not contain the same potency as they claim on their labels with many companies even hiding their labels or supplement facts to prevent consumers from better understanding what is contained in the formulas.
This is disheartening and quite frankly, misleading. Some companies think that by sticking a label on their bottle with the words, ‘MSM Supplement’, without even stating exactly what is inside each capsule and why certain ingredients have been added or not, is enough for consumers to want to buy their products. This is simply wrong.
Our Research
Our research identified key areas that we felt raised concerns when purchasing an MSM supplement. With so many products out there, we felt that we needed clear parameters as to what to look out for when investing in an MSM product.
- Will it be effective? This is perhaps the main concern for consumers, after all, why waste your money on something that is useless? Unfortunately, there are many products that simply don’t work, which is a real concern for many potential buyers. Consumers need to be aware that there is a precise science in creating an effective formula.
- Will it be too expensive for me to purchase? Our research uncovered many manufacturers selling MSM tablets for well over $100. People often think that by paying more, they will get better quality. This is not always the case. Don’t risk your hard-earned money on something that has a price which is overinflated and unrealistic.
- Is the company open and transparent? For you to understand whether a company is simply exploiting the latest trends, or whether the manufacturer is all talk and no action, you need to be consumer savvy in order to establish which are the best companies to purchase products from and which ones to skip. This means manufacturers have to be transparent and open, providing you with as much information and guidance as they can.
Finding Effective, Quality MSM Supplements?
OK, so….there are several key elements to look out for that can pretty much guarantee the product’s authenticity.
- Monitoring By A Third Party: There are organizations that will independently monitor and track the reputation of a company and assess their customer satisfaction levels. A company’s reputation is incredibly important within the health industry, make sure you select a top provider, one that has an impeccable reputation and one that is backed by an independent third-party monitoring organization.
- 100% Money-Back Guarantee: Many companies offer you a money-back guarantee if their products do not bring the results that you are looking for. Some are better than others. Choose a company that has a solid satisfaction guarantee. A strong guarantee demonstrates the confidence that manufacturers have in their products and the results you will experience.
- External Testing: This is not the same as a monitoring company. Third-party testing substantiates and verifies the quality of the manufacturer’s product. It can be very expensive for manufacturers to undertake and even disqualify entire shipments of products that don’t reach the correct standards. That said, when manufacturers don’t have independent quality control and testing, there is no way of knowing if their products are effective, or indeed, safe.
Research On MSM Products
Thorough research takes time and money, which most people don’t have an endless supply of. So, we did the work for you, saving you both. We researched numerous MSM supplements to ascertain an in-depth analysis of what is out there on the market.
To determine those products that we could rate as beneficial, we looked to see if they contained the correct ingredients, how potent they were and their grade of purity. We eliminated products that we found to contain synthetic fillers, unnecessary ingredients, and useless proprietary blends.
However, that was not all, we didn’t stop there. We understand that facts and figures don’t always tell the whole story. So, we looked for real consumers who had purchased and used the products and asked them for their feedback. Their testimonials helped us to establish a list of the best possible products currently available on the market.
Our Research Results
An effective MSM supplement should contain top-quality, clinically proven ingredients in significantly potent doses for optimal effect. It should contain OptiMSM® derived through a multi-stage distillation process for increased safety and efficacy. Also, it should be subject to stringent third-party testing to ensure 100% purity for an MSM supplement without contaminants, heavy metals or impurities.
We also looked for the inclusion of an absorbing agent clinically-proven to increase bioavailability for optimizing results to increase health benefits. Above all else, we looked for purity certifications such as GRAS designation for optimal safety and efficacy.
Most products failed to pass our specific criteria.
There are some manufacturers who actually include some good ingredients in their formulas, however, fail when they weaken the potency by adding an unnecessary blend of useless ingredients to pad out the capsules and cheapen costs. Other manufacturers simply failed by using a weaker potency of certain ingredients than what has been proven effective in scientific studies. Others filled their pills with binders, additives or preservatives. All but a few of them avoided quality control testing.
We are very confident in the brands that we did pick. Given our stringent parameters and reasons for choosing our top products, we are sure our top picks will help you achieve the results you are looking for.
Why Did We Select Our #1 Choice As Our Top MSM Supplement?
Our top pick not only met all of our strict criteria for a quality MSM supplement, but it surpassed it!
Look at what it contains:
- 2000mg MSM – Double the amount of most products.
- 100% OptiMSM® – The most effective form for optimal results.
- Multi-stage distillation process – For zero contamination.
- BioPerine® – No other product has this for increased bioavailability.
- Manufactured in the USA – Other products are manufactured in Asia.
- GRAS-designated and cGMP-registered – Extra levels of certification that many products neglect to obtain.
Our Top MSM Product Choice
Our top choice stands above and beyond the competition, we think you will agree. The company’s excellent reputation, top quality product, external independent monitoring, and testing, coupled with an incredible money-back guarantee policy, makes this an undoubted solid pick for our #1 choice.
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Rating: Excellent
✓ Effectiveness
✓ Potency
✓ Money Back Guarantee
✓ Value
✓ Consumer Feedback
✓ Company Reputation
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Editor’s Choice
Approved Science MSM
If you are looking to improve your overall health by strengthening connective tissue for a difference you can feel throughout your body, then Approved Science MSM is something that deserves your undivided attention. Of all the MSM supplements currently available on the market, this is the one that deserves a closer look and very likely, the one that will change your life!
It contains the highest quality, clinically-proven, OptiMSM® which is the only MSM to have the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) designation for its purity. The unique 4-stage distillation process ensures a product that really works because it is free of impurities that make other products less effective. It was the only product we found that contains a whopping 2000mg daily serving of MSM for reducing inflammation, improving joint health, clearing skin irritations, boosting the immune system and easing allergy symptoms. In addition, it contains BioPerine®, a thermogenic ingredient that enhances the body’s ability to absorb and utilize MSM for greater health benefits. It does not contain any additives or preservatives and is totally 100% safe to use with no long-term side effects.
Quality: Approved Science MSM contains high-grade, natural, clinically-verified ingredients that are GMP certified, FDA registered and contains OptiMSM® which is third-party tested for 100% purity.
Reputation: Their reputation is top quality. This manufacturer has several third-party monitoring services, including buySAFE, Norton, and Trustee, as well as an A+ rating from the quality monitoring company QualityTrusted.
Money Back Guarantee: Every item sold is supported by a 60-day 100% money-back guarantee. Such guarantees from manufacturers show strong confidence in their products’ ability to deliver results. Great news for consumers.
What’s more, they are well known in the industry and an established company that provides great customer support service, secure and easy checkout as well as prompt, efficient delivery.
Their commitment to the health industry and consumers is excellent, providing further qualification of efficacy by producing their products in an FDA registered laboratory.
If you are looking for a product that ticks all the boxes for an effective MSM supplement, from an established reputable company with an excellent money-back guarantee, this is the supplement for you.
It would be good to note that, due to high demand, Approved Science MSM is often sold out. To avoid having to back order, don’t hesitate to make that purchase when you see it in stock.
See The Full Review
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Rating: Good
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Douglas Laboratories MSM Capsules
Promoted as a health product to help support healthy connective tissues, lungs and joints, Douglas Laboratories MSM Capsules is our next product up for review. This manufacturer has a good reputation and this product contains OptiMSM® for the purest MSM on the market. But is this enough to compensate for this product’s low daily serving?
When reviewing this product, we were pleased to see a price tag that suggests quality – not cheap, but definitely affordable. We appreciated that this product is formulated with OptiMSM® as it has a multi-stage distillation process and each batch is third-party tested for purity. However, it is unclear to us if this double-strength formula will actually be effective. With 750mg of MSM, Douglas Laboratories has manufactured a product that contains less than half of the dose of our Editor’s #1 Choice.
Additionally, there is no thermogenic ingredient added to the formula which would serve to boost the bioavailability of the MSM ensuring that sulfur is delivered to the entire body more effectively. Still, consumers might be interested in trying this product for themselves as it is certainly is a safe option as far as we can see. However, there are 2 caveats. One is that there is gelatin in this product and therefore not suitable for vegans, vegetarians or people who follow kosher or halal rules. The second caveat is that because Douglas Laboratories sell directly to healthcare providers, it is not possible to purchase from the manufacturer themselves. While it is possible to buy from Amazon, it is unclear if the return policy would still apply. Even if it does, consumers should be aware that it is only applicable for 30 days and requires authorization. Continue reading our review to see if this product is worth your time and money.
Click here to read the full review
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Rating: OK
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Designs for Health MSM
Designs for Health MSM claims to be a company that is trusted by over 50,000 practitioners. This is quite a bold claim! In our review of this MSM product, we were a bit puzzled and interested to know what all those practitioners would think of this formulation. We can’t speak for all of their products, but this one seemed to be missing some crucial aspects for a quality MSM supplement.
The most troubling aspect of this product is the absence of OptiMSM®. As this is the top MSM on the market and known for its high quality and third-party testing, it was disappointing not to see it here. We would have hoped to see some transparency from the manufacturer as to their process of purifying their MSM. While distillation is the preferred method of isolating MSM, it is also a lot more costly. When companies do not disclose their purification process, we assume they use the more inexpensive route of crystallization. Unfortunately, part of this method includes cooling down the MSM which can lead to occlusions that trap contaminants and lead to an impure product.
So what exactly is in these pills? They contain 1 gram of MSM but may also contain impurities such as heavy metals. At best, these can get in the way of an effective product. At worst, they can cause serious harm if you ingest them. We examined customer reviews but there were too few for us to get a good idea of what consumers can expect. We were pleased to see that there is a return policy but it is only for 30 days and only applicable for unopened bottles so it is not possible to try this product out to find out if it works. Continue reading our full review to see the full picture of this product.
Click here to read the full review
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