Boost Immunity & Energy With MSM: The Ultimate Health Supplement

Skip the skimming, here’s a summary of the main takeaways:

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organic, naturally occurring supplement that contains sulfur.

+ Sulfur is your body’s third most abundant mineral that’s essential for optimal cell function and health. It helps build DNA strands, produce key proteins, and protect your cells from damage.

MSM is popular for alleviating joint pain, but it has many other benefits.

+ MSM supplements could also help boost your immunity, enhance your post-workout recovery, support better digestion, reduce allergy symptoms, increase your energy, and promote healthier skin, hair, and nails.

Experience these benefits with our brand-new Human Improvement Cellular Detox Crystals.

+ Make Cellular Detox Crystals part of your daily ritual by dissolving them in water, juice, or any hot or cold beverage. Most people start experiencing the health-boosting effects as early as a few days to a week.

 

Buried deep in the joint health section of the supplement aisle is a natural compound called methylsulfonylmethane or MSM. This health supplement is a natural source of sulfur, an essential and often overlooked mineral. It plays a crucial role in your health and wellness thanks to its anti-inflammatory and cellular detox properties. MSM is the new collagen, slowly entering mainstream popularity as science reveals exciting discoveries about its potential health benefits. Not only does MSM support joint health but it’s gaining recognition for its energy-boosting, workout recovery, gut health, and immune-supporting effects. It’s also called “Nature’s Beauty Mineral” thanks to its anti-aging and skin, hair, and nail enhancing properties. When our team at Human Improvement heard about MSM we had to give it a try. And after experiencing these benefits firsthand we were hooked. We realized we had to get this supplement that’s primarily marketed to a 60+ aging population into the hands of a younger, health-conscious generation. Because why wait till you’re older to start focusing on your health? Cue Human Improvement Cellular Detox Crystals. Our full-body wellness supplement with 99.9% pure organic bioactive sulfur. Join us as we dive into all there is to know about sulfur and MSM. Plus, all the benefits you’ll experience with our brand-new Human Improvement Cellular Detox Crystals.:

 

Cellular Detox Crystals

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What is sulfur?

 

While we often associate sulfur with soil, it’s also an incredibly important nutrient for your diet. Sulfur is your body’s third most abundant mineral, just after calcium and phosphorus.¹ It’s responsible for optimal cell function, helping to build DNA strands, produce key proteins, and protect your cells from damage.² It helps create a state of balance in the body by regulating inflammation and reducing oxidative stress. ¹.

 

Protein also helps keep you full throughout the day, gives you energy, supports your digestion, helps you recover from a tough workout by building back your muscle tissue, among many other benefits². In other words, you can’t exist without it.

 

What foods are high in sulfur?

Most of your dietary sulfur comes from two amino acids: methionine and cysteine. You'll find these amino acids in plant and animal-based protein sources like poultry, fish, dairy, legumes, leafy vegetables, eggs, and whole grains.^1,2,3,4. These amino acids form the building blocks of your skin, hair, and nails.^2,5 However, due to modern agricultural practices, like chemical fertilization, the level of sulfur in the soil is decreasing.1 This means that less sulfur passes on from the soil to the foods you’re consuming, resulting in a troubling nutritional deficiency. So while high-protein foods are still essential for your diet, the popularity of sulfur supplements like methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) has increased to help boost your intake of this all-important nutrient.¹

 

 

 

 

Improvement Tip: Learn more about the power of protein in our blog “5 Benefits of a Protein-Rich Diet for an Active Lifestyle”.

What is Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)?

 

MSM is an organic, naturally-occurring compound that contains sulfur.^1,6,7 While you can find MSM naturally in some foods, it’s only present in very small amounts. And in some foods, like broccoli, cabbage, or eggs, you lose the majority of the sulfur by cooking them.⁸

To increase the concentration, manufacturers created MSM in its purest form as tiny white crystals that look just like sea salt.⁹ This high-sulfur supplement is often called MSM or “organic sulfur” and is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).¹⁰

Although it's not naturally occurring in this concentrated form, it has no chemical difference from the MSM you’ll find in your foods.¹¹ By offering sulfur in its purest form, MSM supplements help make up for the lack of sulfur in the soil (and, as a result, your diet).

 

7 Health Benefits of MSM Supplements

 

MSM is frequently used for joint pain, thanks to its high sulfur concentration helping to lower inflammation and repair damaged muscle tissue.² However, these benefits extend far beyond your joints.

 

Early research suggests that this daily supplement could help:

• Promote cellular detoxification
• Boost immunity
• Support healthier skin, hair, and nails
• Enhance exercise recovery
• Aid in digestive troubles
• Increase energy
• Alleviate allergy symptoms

Improvement Tip: Human Improvement Protein Powder contains 22 grams of protein from pumpkin, brown rice, pea, and cricket protein powder that blend together for a complete — and delicious! — source of high-quality protein. Plus it’s super easy to digest, meaning you’ll feel good while supplying your body with all the essential amino acids it needs. (Minus the sugar, sodium, or saturated fats you might find in other protein sources!)

Promotes cellular detoxification

 

By binding to oxygen, sulfur helps to increase the permeability of your cells. This is your body’s ability to flush out excess waste or unwanted toxins.¹² This creates a natural detox for the body, helping to push out the bad to make more room for the good, like essential nutrients and hydration.¹³ It's like cleaning out the gutter before a big rainstorm. Flushing out waste and toxins boosts your cellular health and improves the functioning of all cell membranes. This is the foundation for a lot of MSM’s potential health benefits. Increasing the amount of oxygen and nutrients the cells can take in impacts everything from energy levels to muscle recovery to improved circulation.

Boosts immunity

 

With cellular detoxification, your cells are also far more efficient at flushing out and responding to harmful substances and viruses. But sulfur doesn’t just help detox. It also supports the creation of antioxidants like glutathione, which act as powerful warriors in the fight against free radicals.^14,15 Free radicals are chemicals that form as a result of both natural and environmental circumstances like metabolism, exercise, UV radiation, cigarette smoke, or air pollution. Your body has its own process for managing free radicals. But exposure to too many free radicals can cause damage to the body, weakening your immune system.¹³ Antioxidants like glutathione can help protect your body’s immune response by building and repairing tissue. This limits the damage caused by free radicals.¹⁶ And it helps build a stronger immune system that’s better equipped to handle whatever comes your way.

Supports healthier skin, hair, and nails

 

Collagen and keratin are proteins responsible for the growth and health of your skin, hair, and nails. And both proteins need sulfur-containing amino acids for their production and healthy maintenance.^17,18 In other words, if you don’t have enough sulfur, your body will struggle to create enough collagen and keratin. Harmful free radicals also cause a reduction in these essential proteins.¹³ But with an MSM supplement or “Nature’s Beauty Mineral”, your body can help destroy free radicals and boost its production of collagen and keratin. This results in smoother skin, healthier hair, and stronger nails.^18,13 Optimal collagen production could also help reduce blemishes or damage to the skin, like scar tissue, sun spots, or acne.¹³ And some studies suggest that MSM supplements even help reduce signs of aging by boosting the hydration and elasticity of your skin.^5,13,14

Reduces joint pain and enhances exercise recovery

 

Thanks to sulfur, MSM supplements help restore protein linkages in muscle tissue and reduce inflammation in the body.^1,14 This is why MSM is most commonly used for alleviating inflammatory joint pain resulting from conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, and so on.^1,19 But you don’t need to have joint pain to start taking care of your joints. MSM helps keep your tissues and joints healthy by reducing the impact of stress and aging over time¹. This way you can pursue your favorite movement activities for longer! These anti-inflammatory effects also apply to more everyday exercise recovery, helping reduce stress and repair connective tissue post-workout.^5,6,20 MSM also helps flush out lactic acid and other toxins that play a role in the all-too-familiar post-workout muscle soreness.¹² In one study, for example, researchers found that taking 3g of MSM daily for 14 days resulted in less pain and soreness post-workout compared to a placebo.²¹ In another study on participants running a half-marathon, they found that those who supplemented with MSM for three weeks leading up to the race experienced fewer signs of muscle soreness and joint pain after the race was over²².

Aids in digestive troubles

 

Inflammation affects more than just your joints—it plays a role in a whole host of health problems. This includes gastrointestinal troubles like constipation, ulcers, heartburn, and so on. MSM’s anti-inflammatory properties help treat inflammation and bacterial imbalances in the gut that can often cause a lot of these painful health issues.²⁶ One of the ways it does this is by rebuilding the lining of mucus in your gut. Without enough mucus, your body is more susceptible to what’s called “leaky gut syndrome”. This is when particles leak out from your gut into your bloodstream causing inflammation and sensitivity.^26,27 By maintaining a strong mucus layer and flushing out excess waste through cellular detox, MSM helps aid in an efficient digestive process that keeps you healthy.

Increases energy

 

Thanks to cellular detoxification and an extra supply of oxygen and nutrients in your cells, it’s common to experience a boost in energy with MSM. In one study, researchers found that taking MSM daily increased energy levels significantly across a 30 day period.²³ When your body is spending less energy removing toxins it’s more efficient at absorbing energy-giving nutrients from your food.¹² You spend around 10% of your total daily energy-absorbing nutrients through your digestive system. So a supplement that speeds up this process is going to result in extra energy for other activities.²⁴

 

Improvement Tip: Swap your coffee for MSM instead! MSM offers a different kind of energy from the one you get by drinking a cup of coffee or tea. Unlike a caffeine-loaded beverage, MSM provides long-lasting energy without spikes and crashes.

Alleviates allergy symptoms

 

Millions of Americans struggle with seasonal allergies and irritating symptoms like sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and congestion. This is your body’s immune response to what it thinks is a harmful substance, but is in reality a harmless allergen like pollen or dust.⁶ For many, the only solution is a heavy reliance on antihistamines to help make these symptoms more bearable.⁵ But studies are finding that MSM can offer better relief, and it doesn’t come with unwanted side effects like drowsiness that often go hand-in-hand with allergy medications.²⁵ In a double-blind study where participants took a daily dose of MSM, researchers found that they experienced a 50% reduction in allergy symptoms like nasal obstruction, watery or itchy eyes and nose, and sneezing.²⁵ By building and repairing tissue and flushing out harmful toxins and substances, MSM could help reduce allergy symptoms while increasing your energy levels.⁵

Introducing Human Improvement Cellular Detox Crystals

 

Our team at Human Improvement first heard about MSM through our marketing maven, Maile Minardi. Maile’s grandparents have been taking an MSM supplement daily for over 50 years—and its effects are apparent. Not only do they look no older than 50, but in their 70s and 80s, they continue to live an incredibly active lifestyle—playing racquetball, running, or cycling almost daily. MSM supports their joint health, immune functioning, and energy, so they can continue to pursue the movement activities that they love.

[Include an image of Maile’s grandparents?]

When we heard their story, our team was excited to give MSM a try. And after taking it twice daily for several months, we started to experience these benefits firsthand. Yet no one we knew had heard about MSM before. So we committed to changing that. The result is our very own MSM health supplement: Human Improvement Cellular Detox Crystals. Our MSM supplement isn’t designed to sit solely on the joint health shelf. It's here to support your full-body health and wellness. And we can't wait to share these benefits with you!

What does MSM taste like and how do I take it?

 

MSM dissolves well in water, juice, or any other hot or cold beverage. It has a slightly bitter taste which you can dilute by adding to your oatmeal, tea, or Human Improvement Protein Powder. Some members of our team, including Maile’s grandparents, enjoy the daily ritual of an MSM shot mixed in plain water. Then chasing it with a juicy piece of fruit like a slice of orange. But the right MSM routine for you depends on your personal preferences!

How much MSM should I take?

 

MSM is a nontoxic supplement that is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA for up to four grams daily.¹⁰ But you can take more because any excess your body doesn’t need safely exits through your urine. We recommend ½ to 1 teaspoon twice daily. But feel free to adjust this as directed by a health professional.

 

Improvement Tip: Pair it with our Human Improvement Protein Powder for the ultimate gut and health boost!

When will I start feeling the effects?

 

You could start experiencing full-body benefits as early as a few days to a week after starting a daily MSM routine. Think of MSM like your daily multivitamin. It’s not a miracle pill for health and wellness, but it can help support a healthier lifestyle. Start your daily MSM ritual by getting your Human Improvement Cellular Detox Crystals today. And head to our blog for more human improvement tips to add to your daily routine.

 

Sources

 

1) https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/protein/

2) https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/howgeneswork/protein/

3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26797090/

4) https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf

5) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321474

6) https://www.wri.org/data/animal-based-foods-are-more-resource-intensive-plant-based-foods

7) https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/workout-supplements/

8) https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/soy/

9) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24800664/

10) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-whey-protein/art-20363344

11) https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/553577/nutrients

12) https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-pumpkin-seeds#1

13) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5302255/

14) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6245118/

15) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4400298/

16) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6582163/

17) https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/04/eat-a-cricket-save-the-world/452844/

18) https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/eating-crickets#why-eat-them

19) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7835793/

20) https://www.fao.org/3/i3264e/i3264e00.pdf

*These statements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease