Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and Boswellic Acids (BA) were compared to Glucosamine Sulfate (GS) in a study of 120 patients with knee osteoarthritis (Notarnicola,et.al). MSM (5g) and BA (720mg) were compared to 1500mg of GS/day. Pts with MSM/BA had improved pain and knee function scores over GS subjects.
Benefits of MSM/BA were due to inhibition of the inflammatory reaction and cartilage-protecting effects, through mechanisms different from traditional NSAID’s. Both MSM/BA are determined to be safe of side effects, and free of most interactions with other medications per the FDA of USA. MSM is not considered problem with those with SULFA allergies, as it is a completely different compound.
References:
Notarnicola,et al: Methylsulfonylmethane and Boswellic acid versus Glucosamine sulfate in treatment of knee osteoarthritis; Intl J of Immunopathology and Pharm. 29 (1) 140-6, 2016 March.
Debbi, et al: Efficacy of Methylsulfonylmethane supplementation on Knee Osteoarthritis : A Randomized, controlled study; BMC Complement Alt Med 11 (50): 50.
Ammon, et al: Modulation of the immune system by Boswellia serrata extracts and boswellic acids. Phytomedicine. 2011 Feb 15; 18 (4): 334.