What is MSM?

MSM is organic sulfur, a compound that occurs naturally in nature and in the human body. It is necessary for the structure of every living cell. Hormones, enzymes, antibodies, and antioxidants all depend on it. And because the body utilizes and expends it on a daily basis, MSM must be continually replenished for optimal nutrition and health.

Birth of a Supplement

Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, has been present in the oceans, soil, and atmosphere of Earth for eons. It has been collected by plants and eaten by animals for nearly as long. It is part of nature's great sulfur cycle, upon which all life depends. Although the technology to produce MSM has been known for many years, the nutritional benefits were unknown until discovered by chemical researcher Robert J. Herschler in the early 1980s.

Where Does MSM Come From?

MSM originates in the oceans where microscopic plankton release sulfur compounds into seawater, which is quickly converted to DMS, a volatile sulfur compound that escapes into the atmosphere. In this suspended, gaseous state, the DMS reacts with ozone and ultraviolet sunlight to create DMSO and DMSO2, known as MSM. MSM then falls to the earth with the rain, where it is collected and concentrated in plants. Although MSM is abundant in nature, even the richest natural sources only provide MSM in the level of several parts per million. Commercial "harvesting" of MSM is not possible. MSM is produced by oxidizing DMSO. This process replicates the exact natural compound.

-----------------------------------

What is OptiMSM™?

OptiMSM™ is the world’s purest methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). OptiMSM® is manufactured in the United States in a GMP-FDA approved facility and is the only MSM supported by double-blind clinical research. Every batch of OptiMSM is distilled FOUR TIMES for purity and undergoes the most rigorous analytical testing available, guaranteeing unsurpassed quality. MSM is an organic sulfur-containing nutrient that supports healthy active lifestyles by providing nutritionally essential sulfur and methyl groups. OptiMSM is the only brand of MSM with published, peer-reviewed safety data. OptiMSM is licensed under the worldwide R.J. Herschler patents and is 100% made in the U.S.A. by Bergstrom Nutrition. It is backed exclusively by Stanley Jacob, M.D., former Medical Advisor of Bergstrom Nutrition.

The OptiMSM difference

There are many different brands and forms of MSM in the marketplace. When you see the distinctive OptiMSM logo on KALA Health's MSM products, you know you're getting the original MSM patented and licensed for sale in the United States and throughout the world as a dietary supplement. OptiMSM is held to higher quality standards, tested by independent laboratories to guarantee the absence of harmful metal and biological contaminants, and is always guaranteed 99.9% pure methylsulfonylmethane. OptiMSM offers you these advantages:

Confidence. OptiMSM is manufactured in the United States according to strict manufacturing standards. MSM used in other products may contain impurities or contaminants.
Purity. Every batch of OptiMSM is tested by an independent industry laboratory to ensure product purity and the absence of heavy metals, bacterium, or other contaminants.
Nutritional Value. OptiMSM is comprised of 34% bioavailable sulfur-the richest source known to man.
Safety. OptiMSM is non-allergenic and non-toxic. It is one of the safest compounds that we can consume, comparable to water. OptiMSM is Kosher certified-an additional assurance of quality and purity.

About the quality of MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)

Originally, all MSM was produced in the US by Bergstrom Nutrition (previously Cardinal Nutrition). Bergstrom Nutrition is the only dedicated GMP MSM production facility in the world, eliminating the risk of contamination from toxins like benzene, toluene or pesticides. Bergstrom’s MSM is called OptiMSM. In the past several years, however, MSM is also produced in plants in China and India and Canada and is imported into the US and EU under the same generic name but for prices that are less than one-fifth of the Bergstrom Nutrition made MSM. OptiMSM is pharmaceutical grade quality MSM, and is produced by the method of distillation. This process removes any potential impurities, leaving only pure MSM, i.e. OptiMSM. The quality is supported by a certificate of analysis for each batch produced, which shows that bacteria and yeasts are absent. The concentrations of heavy metals, an important potential contaminant, is specified to be absent near the analytical levels of detection (for mercury, for example, at less than 0.001 parts per million).

Other producers use the crystallization method, which is a less expensive production process. In this process, the MSM is dissolved in water and then dried, trapping any contaminants present in the water. This MSM comes with certificates of analysis in which the absence of yeast, bacteria and fungi is often not guaranteed, and the concentrations of heavy metals is shown as a generic group at less than 20 parts per million.

How Distillation Removes Contaminants

Boiling Point: 3164º F Lead 1409º F Cadmium 1135º F Arsenic 674º F Mercury 478º F MSM Boiling Point: 360º F Phenol 209º F Heptane 176º F Benzene Impurities with high boiling points, such as heavy metals, remain in the bottom of the distillation vessel.

Pure distilled OptiMSM Contaminants with boiling points below that of MSM are removed as distillation temperatures approach MSM’s boiling point. MSM is separated from impurities, then condensed as a highly purified liquid that is then cooled into its final form.