Our next product up for review is Designs for Health MSM. These capsules contain the sulfur-supplying compound methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). Designs for Health claims that MSM will modulate histamine release as well as a healthy inflammatory response. It further states that MSM can support collagen production for stronger cartilage, skin, and connective tissue.
We examined labels and perused customer reviews in order to compile a comprehensive report on this product. Continue reading this review to see if this is the MSM supplement choice for you.
Is Designs for Health MSM Effective?
There is a daily dose of 1 gram (or 1000mg) of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). This is roughly the same amount that is found in the second product we reviewed, but still only half of the dose that is offered in our Editor’s Choice product. This is important to keep in mind as you would need to take double the amount of this product which would increase your monthly costs considerably.
The positive aspects of this product include that it is vegetarian and vegan-friendly. It is also made of only natural ingredients and is free of GMOs, gluten, dairy, or soy. We appreciate that the bottle is an opaque, tinted glass bottle which the manufacturer says provides protection against moisture and oxygen.
Our biggest concern is that this product does not contain OptiMSM®, which is a real shame. Designs for Health appears to be a serious company that manufactures many health products, which is why it is puzzling that they omitted OptiMSM® from their formula. Furthermore, there is no mention as to whether or not their MSM is crystallized or distilled. This is troubling as it is common knowledge that the crystallization process is a much cheaper and easier method than distillation. Without any indication of how this MSM is processed, it is unclear what its level of purity is. This leaves us in a tough spot as it is MSM’s purity that determines its efficacy.
Another point of concern is that there is no additional ingredient here to boost the absorption of MSM throughout the body. When so much of any supplement is dependent on how well it absorbs into the body, this seems to be an oversight from the manufacturer.
Perhaps what has given us the most pause is the way to purchase and return this product. While purchasing is available on the manufacturer’s website, it requires that consumers log in first in order to even see the price. Is this a ploy to capture email addresses and harass potential customers? Is there a different price based on who is logging in? It’s unclear. You can purchase this product from Amazon for a hefty price but it is unclear if the manufacturer will honor returns if purchased from a third-party site. We could not find a money-back guarantee but there is a limited return policy that applies to unopened bottles only and is not applicable after 30 days.
Is Designs for Health MSM Safe?
There are no mentioned side effects of taking this product. As with any new supplement or diet introduced into your daily life, we always advise talking to your healthcare professional about possible contraindications of any pre-existing medical conditions or medications that you are taking. Supplements work differently for everyone and the effects vary between individuals so it is always a good idea to run any health changes with a professional.
As previously mentioned, it is unclear if this product has undergone a crystallization process. If that’s the case, there can be a chance of heavy metals or contaminants in this product.
Summary
Designs for Health seems to be a quality supplement company. Indeed, they boast that they are trusted by over 50,000 practitioners. This is quite a bold claim and one we question when it comes to this product specifically. Designs for Health MSM does not contain OptiMSM® and does not disclose the method by which MSM is isolated for their product. Because of this, the dosage of 1 gram of MSM doesn’t mean much as it may be chock full of impurities. We chose this product to review in order to shed light on the importance of transparency and labels when it comes to all supplements, but especially for MSM. In this day and age when research on health supplements is one click away, it behooves all consumers to do their due diligence before they put anything into their bodies. If you are looking for a product that can deliver powerful sulfur to your body for a difference that can be life-changing, why would you purchase anything less than the best? Do not settle for anything less than 100% pure MSM. Your body will thank you.
