What is MSM?

MSM is an organic sulfur-containing nutrient, a naturally-occurring compound in the environment and in the human body. Sulfur is necessary for the structure of every cell in the body. Hormones, enzymes, antibodies, and antioxidants all depend on it. And because the body utilizes and expends it on a daily basis, sulfur must be continually replenished for optimal nutrition and health. This is the main MSM benefit.

Where Does MSM Come From?

MSM originates in the oceans where microscopic plankton release sulfur compounds into seawater, which is quickly converted to DMS, a volatile sulfur compound that escapes into the atmosphere. In this suspended, gaseous state, the DMS reacts with ozone and ultraviolet sunlight to create DMSO and DMSO2, known as MSM. MSM then falls to the earth with the rain, where it is collected and concentrated in plants. Although MSM is abundant in nature, even the richest natural sources only provide MSM in the level of several parts per million. Commercial extraction of MSM from trees is not possible. The benefits of MSM is produced by oxidizing DMSO. This process parallels the natural oxidation of DMSO to MSM that occurs in the marine atmosphere and produces MSM that is chemically identical to that found in nature.

What is OptiMSM?

The premiere branded MSM ingredient produced by Cardinal Nutrition and available at retail through various quality manufacturers. OptiMSM is held to strict product specifications, making it the highest quality of MSM benefit on the market. The benefits of MSM is the organic sulfur that appears as a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder that is available in a variety of topical applications and internal dosage types. It is non-toxic, non-allergenic, and always 99.9% pure. Cardinal Nutrition, the sole maker of OptiMSM, is the original United States producer licensed under the R. J. Herschler domestic and foreign patents.