Anti-inflammatory MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) has added to the store of evidence pointing to its health benefits with a new study suggesting that it significantly reduces pain endured by osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) sufferers.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial led by Linda Kim of the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine involved 50 male and female suffers of mild to moderate knee arthritis pain, aged 40 to 76 years.

Divided into two groups, the participants took either a twice-daily 3 grams oral dose of MSM or a placebo over a 12-week period.  The pain relief effects were assessed using Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index.

Compared to the placebo, MSM was seen to deliver a significant reduction in pain scores and physical function impairment.  Participants taking the MSM were also seen to experience an improvement in their performance of the activities of daily living.

No adverse events, such as those commonly reported with…