GHP August 2015

ghp August 2015 | 35 the liver, and excreted. Methylation and sulfonation are key steps in the detoxification process, which makes MSM –as supplier of both methyl groups and sulfate- a potential strong detoxifier. This was illustrated by the following case, a young artist suffering from heavy metal poisoning (as shown by microscopic examination of his blood using the Life Blood / HLB test). For one and a half year he used various pharmaceutical drugs, homeopathic and orthomolecular detoxifiers as well as bioresonance therapy, prescribed by a number of health care professionals. After one and one half years of detoxification the blood picture had hardly improved, still exhibiting severe toxicity symptoms (Figure 3a). Figure 3: Microscopic blood examination using the Life Blood / HLB Test. The left image (Figure 3a) shows severe heavy metal poisoning, the right image (Figure 3b) shows how the blood returned to normal. The man then was recommended to stop taking the medications received so far, and to start using high dosages of MSM (15 grams/day) instead, supported by weekly Ayurvedic sweat baths to stimulate waste discharge. Two months later a microscopic exami- nation showed that his blood had returned to normal (Figure 3b). BENEFITS OF MSM Due to the work of professor Stanley Jacob as Head of the Pain Clinic of the Oregon Health Sciences Uni- versity, MSM has required most of its fame as killer of chronic pains. Taking into consideration the huge potential of MSM, a disappointing small number of studies have been carried out to reveal its mecha- nisms of work and its medicinal applications. • Some studies show MSM may work well treating arthritic symptoms and support joint comfort and mobility, mainly due to its properties to block inflammatory processes and prevent cartilage break down. • MSM has been shown to reduce exercise induced stress and muscle damage. Though not all mechanisms have been cleared, MSM significantly reduced important markers of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative damage. • Other studies show, MSM regulates the expres- sion of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species by regulating certain transcription factors such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB). MSM supple- mented to mice showed an increase in liver glutathione levels by a stunning 78%. All these results add credibility to the supposed antioxi- dant defense capability of MSM as it shows effi- cacy across different species and from different stimuli of oxidative stress. • Several studies have shown, people suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis may benefit from MSM. • As a donor of bioavailable sulfur, MSM has been shown to support the integrity of skin, hair and nails. MSM AND CANCER In the seventies of last century researchers at the Oregon Health Sciences University demonstrated, even low dosages of MSM given during or prior to the experimental period, would significantly delay the on- set of induced tumors in rats. Rats In the MSM group would develop tumors a 100 days later, which –on an average life span of 2 years- would equal 10 years in human life. Anybody understanding the significance of the above, may realize taking MSM on a regular base might be a good idea. But it gets even more exciting. In 2010 researchers of the Connecticut Health Center, added MSM in a concentration of 200 mmol/l to metastatic mouse melanoma cells, representing one of the most aggressive and deadliest types of cancer. To their surprise, MSM appeared to repro- gram the metastatic melanoma cells into normal healthy melanocytes. Their conclusion was, MSM may have clinical potential as a non-toxic agent effective against metastatic melanoma 3. In 2012 researchers in South Korea found MSM substantially decreases the viability of human breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. These find- ing were supported by in vitro studies, showing MSM can effectively regulate biochemical systems involved in tumor development, progression, and metastasis 4. With these promising studies, MSM seems to have definitely entered the field of cancer, the emperor of al diseases. The implications of this development are challenging: will MSM help basic scientists to better understand what signaling pathways play a role in the transformation of healthy cells to cancer cells, and back to healthy cells? Here is even a more challeng- ing one: will we find ways to bring MSM to bodily metastasized tumor tissue in concentrations high enough to work as a non-toxic, therapeutic agent? The technology is already there, with today’s knowl- edge it is possible to bind MSM molecules to specific markers that would concentrate MSM in tumor tissue. Most of the challenges however, will be in the field of legislation, and communication toward the public. The situation now is, MSM has the official status of food supplement, which means it is free for sale in many countries but health claims will not be toler- ated by authorities. Any new version of MSM most likely will be considered a novel food, which implies an extensive safety dossier must be submitted before sale is allowed. And should MSM raise the undesired interest of drug legislation authorities, the free sale of MSM may become in real danger. research LITERATURE 1. Jacob, S. W.; Lawrence, M.D.; and Zucker, M.: The Miracle of MSM. The Natural Solution for Pain. Publ. G.P. Putnam’s sons, New York: 1999. 2. Jacob, S.W.; Appleton, J.: MSM. The Definite Guide. Publ. Freedom Press, Topanga, US, 2003. 3. Caron JM, Bannon M, Rosshirt L, Luis J, Monteagudo L, et al. (2010) Methyl Sulfone Induces Loss of Metastatic Properties and Reemergence of Normal Phenotypes in a Metastatic Cloudman S-91 (M3) Murine Melanoma Cell Line. PLoS ONE 5(8): e11788. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0011788 4. Lim EJ, Hong DY, Park JH, Joung YH, Darvin P, et al. (2012) Methylsulfo- nylmethane Suppresses Breast Cancer Growth by Down-Regulating STAT3 and STAT5b Pathways. PLoS ONE 7(4): e33361. doi:10.1371/journal. pone.0033361