Home Ingredients OptiMSM® (Methylsulfonylmethane — Bergstrom)
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OptiMSM® (Methylsulfonylmethane — Bergstrom)

Evidence Level
Limited
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

OptiMSM® is a high-purity, distilled methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) from Bergstrom Nutrition, the most-studied branded MSM. MSM is an organic sulfur compound that supports joints, connective tissue, and recovery, and the distilled OptiMSM grade is valued for its purity and consistency.

Studied Dose 1 to 3 grams per day, sometimes higher for joint or exercise use.
Active Compound Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), an organic sulfur compound, purified by distillation.

Benefits

Joint comfort

MSM is studied for easing joint pain and stiffness and improving physical function, often used alone or alongside glucosamine and chondroitin.

Supported by Trial 1

Exercise recovery

MSM reduces markers of muscle damage and oxidative stress after exercise, supporting faster recovery and less soreness.

Supported by Trial 1

Skin, hair, and nails

As a sulfur donor, MSM supports the keratin and collagen in skin, hair, and nails, contributing to its beauty-from-within use.

Mechanism of action

1

Sulfur donation

MSM supplies bioavailable sulfur used to build connective tissue, antioxidant molecules like glutathione, and structural proteins.

2

Anti-inflammatory antioxidant

MSM lowers inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress, mechanisms behind its joint and recovery benefits.

Clinical trials

1
MSM and HDL Cholesterol in Overweight Adults (Randomized Trial)
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 3 g MSM daily for 16 weeks in 22 overweight or obese adults, funded in part by Bergstrom Nutrition. (Miller et al. 2021, Nutrients)

Adults.

MSM raised HDL cholesterol compared with baseline. This trial measured cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers, not joint pain or physical function, so it does not itself demonstrate a joint or recovery benefit.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated — MSM has a strong safety record.
Mild digestive upset or headache is occasionally reported.
No stimulant effects.

Important Drug interactions

Blood thinners — high doses may have a mild additive effect; monitor.
Generally compatible with glucosamine and chondroitin.
Tell your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.

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Frequently asked questions about OptiMSM® (Methylsulfonylmethane — Bergstrom)

What is OptiMSM?

OptiMSM® is a high-purity, distilled methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) from Bergstrom Nutrition, the most-studied branded MSM. MSM is an organic sulfur compound that supports joints, connective tissue, and recovery, and the distilled OptiMSM grade is valued for its purity and consistency.

What is OptiMSM used for?

OptiMSM is researched primarily for Joint Health and Muscle & Recovery. MSM is studied for easing joint pain and stiffness and improving physical function, often used alone or alongside glucosamine and chondroitin.

What is the recommended dosage of OptiMSM?

The clinically studied dose is 1 to 3 grams per day, sometimes higher for joint or exercise use. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is OptiMSM safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, OptiMSM is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well-tolerated — MSM has a strong safety record. Mild digestive upset or headache is occasionally reported. It may also interact with some medications. OptiMSM is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does OptiMSM interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Blood thinners — high doses may have a mild additive effect; monitor. Generally compatible with glucosamine and chondroitin. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for OptiMSM?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for OptiMSM as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 4 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(4 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Miller L, Thompson K, Pavlenco C, et al. The Effect of Daily Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) Consumption on High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Healthy Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2021;13(10)..PubMedUsed to support: A Bergstrom-funded randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 22 overweight or obese adults taking 3 g MSM daily for 16 weeks. HDL cholesterol rose versus baseline. The trial measured cardiometabolic and inflammation markers, not joint pain or physical function, so it is not direct evidence for a joint or recovery benefit.
  2. Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, Howard P, Buratovich N, Waters RF. Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2006;14(3):286-294..PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 50 adults with knee osteoarthritis taking 3 g MSM twice daily (6 g/day) for 12 weeks. MSM produced significant reductions in WOMAC pain and physical-function impairment versus placebo. This is generic MSM (not specifically the distilled OptiMSM grade) and the authors call it a small pilot.
  3. Liu X, Machado GC, Eyles JP, Ravi V, Hunter DJ. Dietary supplements for treating osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2018;52(3):167-175..PubMedUsed to support: Systematic review and meta-analysis of oral supplements for hand, hip or knee osteoarthritis. Methylsulfonylmethane showed a statistically significant improvement in pain, but of unclear clinical importance and only at short term, with very low quality of evidence overall. Supports the joint category as weak, borrowed generic-MSM evidence.
  4. Kalman DS, Feldman S, Scheinberg AR, Krieger DR, Bloomer RJ. Influence of methylsulfonylmethane on markers of exercise recovery and performance in healthy men: a pilot study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2012;9(1):46..PubMedUsed to support: Pilot study in 8 healthy men given 1.5 or 3.0 g/day MSM for 30 days around a knee-extension exercise bout. It compared two MSM doses with no placebo group and reported changes in muscle soreness, fatigue and blood antioxidant status (surrogate markers). Very small pilot, generic MSM, so it is weak, borrowed evidence for exercise recovery.