Does MSM reduce exercise-induced pain?

MSM is sometimes recommended to athletes or to people who have a lot of muscle or joint pain after exercise. Since it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, it is possible that MSM could mitigate the inflammatory response that occurs following intense exercise. Evidence to support this theory is limited, but some studies have found that MSM taken at 3 grams daily for up to 3 weeks before a major exercise bout and continuing for several days after the exercise could reduce muscle soreness and fatigue.^[1][2] Markers of oxidative stress (such as oxidized glutathione and malondialdehyde) and markers of inflammation (such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) could be lower after exercise in people who take MSM daily.^{[3][4][2][5][1][6][7]} The available evidence is not yet conclusive, and larger clinical trials are still needed to confirm these findings. Given the current evidence and the fact that MSM is considered generally safe, people who experience severe muscle pain after exercise and people who are participating in a particularly intense event (for example, a marathon) could consider trying MSM to alleviate muscle pain.