03.24.16
Bergstrom Nutrition released a new report, titled: “MSM Immune Health Science Brief” to summarize the varying research pointing to how methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) benefits the innate immune system. The company’s product, OptiMSM, is known for its positive effects on inflammation and conditions of oxidative stress (such as arthritis) and is now building a reputation for immune health support.
“This is our way of organizing the collective evidence regarding MSM’s affects on the immune system,” said Tim Hammond, vice president of sales & marketing for Bergstrom Nutrition. “In summary, if the immune system is producing too much of an inflammatory response, OptiMSM can mitigate it, lessening the damage. And conversely, when the immune system is suppressed, OptiMSM can boost its response to fight infections.”
Key take-aways from the report include:
“This is our way of organizing the collective evidence regarding MSM’s affects on the immune system,” said Tim Hammond, vice president of sales & marketing for Bergstrom Nutrition. “In summary, if the immune system is producing too much of an inflammatory response, OptiMSM can mitigate it, lessening the damage. And conversely, when the immune system is suppressed, OptiMSM can boost its response to fight infections.”
Key take-aways from the report include:
- MSM mitigates inflammation by reducing inflammatory markers: MSM modulates how often response modifiers activate the immune system. In a recent study MSM consistently modulated inflammatory cytokines: IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α, showing that MSM may preserve the immune system even in an over-stressed state, possibly by preventing immune cells from becoming exhausted and unable to properly regulate a normal immune response.
- MSM modulates a healthy immune response: Interruption of the translocation of NF-Kß may be how MSM modulates the inflammatory response. NF-Kß is the link between many of the pro-inflammatory cytokines and is known to be activated in chronic inflammatory events. MSM has also been shown to significantly weaken the activation of NLRP3 (the main inflammasome activated during infection or stress) suggesting the processes guiding pathogenic or metabolic diseases could be altered.
- MSM reduces oxidative stress and improves oxidative status: One of MSM’s most important roles in improving oxidative status is in the sparing and elevation of glutathione (GSH). GSH is the instrumental antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and ROS and maintains vitamins C and E in their active forms — playing a major role in repairing DNA, protein synthesis, prostaglandin synthesis, enzyme activation, and supporting the immune system.
- MSM may reduce seasonal allergies: In a study on the efficacy of MSM for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, subjects experienced a significant reduction in upper and lower respiratory symptoms, while showing increased energy levels.
