MSM Supplements
MSM Supplement
I started taking MSM back in October after reading a wonderful article about. I speak very highly of and a lot of people are curious about what it is and it benefits. I put this together to shine a little light on this wonder supplement
What is MSM?
MSM stands for methyl sulfonyl methane. It’s an organic sulfur compound that occurs naturally in plants and animals. It is found in the lignin of pine trees. It greatly differs from regular sulfur (sulfuric oxide) which is processed into sulfuric acid and is toxic to the human body. MSM is white and regular sulfur is a yellow color.
MSM is the most important raw material for building new cells during the healing process. It is an acid forming mineral that is part of the chemical structure of the amino acids methionine, cysteine, taurine, and gluthione. Amino acids are the building blocks of our body’s proteins. The more MSM our body has to work with, the more protein we develop resulting in faster hair and nail growth and healing of the body’s tissues. MSM is considered food so it is easily absorbed and utilized by the body.
What does it do?
MSM is found in human, hair, skin, and nails. It’s also found in hemoglobin and all body tissues. 1/3 of the hair’s strength comes from disulfide bonds (sulfur bonds). After your body assimilates the MSM it turns into an acid which becomes part of the amino acids that produce the protein in the hair (ethnic hair is 93%-97% protien), skin, and nails. The more MSM your body has to utilize, the more it has available to build the necessary proteins needed for faster hair and nail growth and healthy, new skin cells.
MSM has many other important benefits to your body. It supports the connective tissues like tendons, muscles, and ligaments. It makes the cells in the tissue more permeable, allowing fluids to pass through more easily, therefore, releasing toxins and reducing inflammation. This makes MSM helpful to those suffering from arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, gout, muscle pain, and constipation. It is used by many athletes because it accelerates the healing process. It’s even given to race horses to prevent muscle stiffness.
MSM is also needed for insulin production so it is good for those with diabetes. It also disinfects the blood, helps the body resist bacteria, and protects cell protoplasm. It’s beneficial to those who have problems with acne, allergies, asthma, yeast infections, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, migraines, and ulcers.
MSM deficiency can lead to problems like scar tissue, wrinkles, varicose veins, hardened arteries, digestive disorders, dry skin, joint problems, and inability to fight allergies.
How much MSM can I take? What can I take with it?
I have seen recommendations of dosages ranging from 1,000 mg- 6,000 mg, but the amount you take all depends on your body size, age, and the severity of MSM deficiency. It has an extremely low level of toxicity, similar to water. Excess MSM is secreted through the urine within 12 hours of consumption.
Studies show that when MSM is taken in combination with zinc, silica, and biotin, the skin reaps the most benefits. Vitamin C depends heavily on MSM for optimal absorption. The more vitamin C your body is able to absorb, the faster the healing process.
MSM can be found in sulfur rich foods such as onions, garlic, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, sunflower seeds, lentils, soy beans, turnips, wheat germ oil, and red raspberries
WARNING: MSM should not be consumed by those who have kidney issues. It makes you more susceptible to kidney stones.
I hope this has given everyone a good idea of what MSM is. I purchased MSM from GNC, but recently saw it at Wal-Mart for $1 cheaper. I take my MSM about 1-2 times a day in addition to prenatal vitamins ( for hair, skin, and nails only! lol). I am going to add biotin to my cocktail now. While taking prenatals and MSM alone, I experience about 1/2 inch+ of growth a month. Make sure you drink plenty of water when taking these supplements to aid in flushing the toxins out of your body!
DID YOU KNOW? –>The disulfide (sulfur) bonds that MSM creates, which accounts for 1/3 of the hair’s strength, are the same bonds permanently destroyed by chemical relaxers.
This is a great article she had written on the supplement that includes all of the benefits of the supplement. Be sure to check out her blog!! http://hairgarden.wordpress.com
Love, love!
![www [dot] ceceUNedited [dot] com](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IgQvEFKlW2Y/S8u_r1RFJsI/AAAAAAAAAK8/KG92BKUQw-Q/s320/chelsea+signature+REAL.png)
Labels:
A More Beautiful You: My Skin Regimen
Lately, I have been receiving many compliments on my skin, which I am attributing to my new skin regimen and some changes I've made in my lifestyle. So here I've decided to go ahead and share my regimen.
Mornings (Daily):
After or while I shower, I cleanse my face. I choose this time because the warm steam from your shower helps to open your pores making it easier to get out all the dirt and unknowns crowding your pores, YUCK!
1) I moisten my face and lather it with black soap.
2) I splash some water on my face and only rinse some of the suds off, not all!
3) I use Burt's Bees Citrus Scrub to gently scrub my face (yes, it is gentle enough for everyday use-and I have very sensitive skin)
4)I rinse both products off my face fully.
5) I then use a flat cotton beauty circle that I moisten with Witch Hazel and rub my face with this to remove excess dirt and kill any remaining bacteria. (I use a brand meant for face and body)
6) I apply NOW Brand Castor Oil with my hands (literally like a HALF a dime size is more then enough) Rub it on your hands to spread it then dab it around your face and spread.
7) This is where I would apply makeup if I'm wearing it that day - I let my castor oil sink in my skin for like 15 minutes.
Reasons:
-The reason I use castor oil is because it has been said to have slight acne fighting properties.
-I use witch hazel because it is a cheaper, less industrial grade astringent that has properties which are better for your skin than all of then leading brand toners.
-The citrus scrub I tried because I saw it in the store and it looked like it might help with my sudden change in facial chemistry. You can also make one at home with some lemons and sugar. I will make some when I run out of my last bottle of citrus scrub
At Night:
At night, whether I am wearing makeup or not, I simply rub my face off with baby wipes (sensitive). This cleans my face while remaining gentle AND simple. Sometimes I use a flat cotton pad with olive oil on it to wipe of makeup first and follow up with wipes. I then apply either olive oil or vaseline to my face in a thin layer. The vaseline most especially I apply to my lips LIBERALLY at night.
Reasons:
I used to do this when I was little to keep my lips from chapping. It worked wonders for my feet as well, way back when I could sleep in socks without being annoyed.
Weekly/Bi-Weekly:
I do either a Queen Helene's Masque or a Bentonite Clay mask Bi-weekly as a deep cleaning treatment. I also do Honey Scrubs before the mask. There is a simple enough recipe for it which I will post later. I use the honey scrub to exfoliate my peeling lips, if they are in need of a more vigorous treatment.
Other Additions:
-I also take Cod Liver Oil which helps my skin look healthy, even and essentially flawless.
-Biotin also aids in my skins appearance- though some people do get break outs from taking Biotin- that's not everyone and you can change dosages or brands to decrease the occasional side effects of biotin.
-Drink loads of water. I try for at least 3liters a day. Those 1 liter smart water bottles are the best way to get all of your water in for the day.
