MSM
MSM — methylsulfonylmethane, if you want the full mouthful — is a well-loved staple of the joint-care shelf. It's an organic form of sulfur, a mineral the body uses in cartilage and connective tissue, and it appears here in two guises: on its own as capsules and pure powders, and as a supporting player in classic joint combinations with glucosamine and chondroitin from brands like NOW, Natural Factors and Naka Platinum.
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Straight MSM comes in whichever format suits you. Natural Factors' 1000 mg capsules are available in 90- and 180-count bottles for the set-it-and-forget-it crowd, while NOW's pure 227 g powder and Naka Platinum's 1800 mg powder stir into water or juice — powders suit anyone who prefers to follow the label's serving with a scoop rather than count capsules, or who simply dislikes swallowing pills. Unflavoured MSM has a mildly bitter edge, so juice is the popular mixer.
The combination formulas are where MSM most often rides along. NOW's Glucosamine & MSM Plus Chondroitin Sulfate packs the classic trio into a 180-capsule bottle, Natural Factors' MSM Joint Formula does the same, and NOW's Vegetarian Glucosamine & MSM offers a twist worth knowing — glucosamine is usually sourced from shellfish, so a vegetarian-labelled version (per the manufacturer) stands out. Compare labels for amounts per capsule, and check the NPN directions before you start.