Supplementation with OptiMSM, a methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) ingredient by Balchem Human Nutrition & Health, was linked to improvements in knee pain and stiffness when taken at a daily dose of two grams, a new study in Nutrients found.
 
A team of researchers in Japan conducted the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 88 healthy adults that were experiencing mild knee pain in the joints. They were either given two grams of OptiMSM or a matching placebo daily for 12 weeks.
 
The participants were evaluated at weeks four, eight, and 12 for pain and stiffness in the knees during daily activities. They were required to report levels of pain when walking, ascending, or descending stairs, variance in range of motion, and fluid buildup in the joints.
 
By the end of the treatment, evaluations were measured through the JKOM (Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure) scoring system, which showed significant reductions in morning pain, nocturnal pain, pain while standing, and overall health condition in the MSM group compared to the placebo group. Nocturnal pain and pain while standing were also reduced after 8 weeks of MSM consumption.
 
MSM is a source of sulfur, which is a building block of joints and connective tissue, and OptiMSM has been the subject of several preclinical and clinical studies which provide evidence that it is able to support the structure and function of joints and aid in the production of glutathione, Balchem reports. Glutathione helps to manage oxidative stress, in turn facilitating post-exercise and post-activity repair. Other human clinical studies have also linked OptiMSM to joint pain relief and improvements in several indicators of joint function in patients with osteoarthritis.
 
“We are particularly excited about this study as it was the first carried out on healthy adults, and to highlight OptiMSM’s potential to be effective at just two grams per day,” said Eric Ciappio, PhD, RD, strategic development manager and nutrition scientist for Balchem Human Nutrition & Health. “We are fully committed to leading the way with industry-leading clinical studies, and this trial provides us with the confirmation that all the benefits reported from clinical and pre-clinical studies on patients with osteoarthritis could be applied to healthy adults, changing the landscape of joint health formulations.”
 
“Joint health is a priority for people across multiple generations who are proactively seeking ways to ensure a good quality of life as they age,” says Lauren Eisen, strategic marketing and BD manager. “In addition, according to the World Health Organization by the end of the decade one in six people worldwide will be over 60, which presents the opportunity to prioritize staying active. High-quality, innovative ingredients like OptiMSM will play a pivotal role in joint health segment growth.”