More HDL, less CRP | How MSM might reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
MSM supplementation raises HDL levels and reduces the activity of the inflammatory protein CRP. Because of these two effects, MSM may well reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, suggests a human study made in the United States.
Study
American researchers at Washington State University divided a small dozen healthy adults into 2 groups. One group took a placebo every day for 16 weeks, while the subjects in the experimental group took 3 grams of MSM every day.
The researchers used a product from Bergstrom Nutrition. That company sponsored the study.
Results
Before supplementation started, the MSM level in the MSM group was close to zero. Then it rose to a level of 2000 micromoles and above.
In the MSM group, the concentration of the good cholesterol HDL increased by 2-4 points. Based on previously published epidemiological research, the researchers speculate that this reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by 4-12 percent.
The researchers also looked at other lipids in the blood, such as triglycerides and LDL, and at insulin sensitivity, but found no differences between the placebo and MSM groups. MSM also had no effect on inflammatory factors other than CRP, such as TNF-alpha.
Conclusion
The researchers think that MSM has even more cardiometabolic effects than their study suggests.
"Animal models suggest that MSM may also improve insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation", the reserachers write. "The lack of supportive evidence in the present study should be interpreted with caution due to lack of a cross-over study design and homogeneity among our participant population (i.e., normal versus high fasting blood glucose levels) and the relatively small sample size."
"Future work is needed to determine the full benefits of MSM on cardiometabolic health."
Source:
Nutrients. 2021 Oct 15;13(10):3620.
MSM supplementation raises HDL levels and reduces the activity of the inflammatory protein CRP. Because of these two effects, MSM may well reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, suggests a human study made in the United States.
Study
American researchers at Washington State University divided a small dozen healthy adults into 2 groups. One group took a placebo every day for 16 weeks, while the subjects in the experimental group took 3 grams of MSM every day.
The researchers used a product from Bergstrom Nutrition. That company sponsored the study.
Results
Before supplementation started, the MSM level in the MSM group was close to zero. Then it rose to a level of 2000 micromoles and above.
In the MSM group, the concentration of the good cholesterol HDL increased by 2-4 points. Based on previously published epidemiological research, the researchers speculate that this reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by 4-12 percent.
The researchers also looked at other lipids in the blood, such as triglycerides and LDL, and at insulin sensitivity, but found no differences between the placebo and MSM groups. MSM also had no effect on inflammatory factors other than CRP, such as TNF-alpha.
Conclusion
The researchers think that MSM has even more cardiometabolic effects than their study suggests.
"Animal models suggest that MSM may also improve insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation", the reserachers write. "The lack of supportive evidence in the present study should be interpreted with caution due to lack of a cross-over study design and homogeneity among our participant population (i.e., normal versus high fasting blood glucose levels) and the relatively small sample size."
"Future work is needed to determine the full benefits of MSM on cardiometabolic health."
Source:
Nutrients. 2021 Oct 15;13(10):3620.
