OptiMSM is the purest and only GRAS FDA-Notified MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). Balchem uses a proprietary multi-stage distillation process, and every batch is third-party tested, ensuring optimal purity, quality, and consistency. In contrast to OptiMSM, other commercially available MSM uses crystallization to isolate the MSM molecule. As this crystallized material cools, occlusions can develop that trap contaminants within the MSM and lead to material that may contain heavy metals, residual water, and other impurities.

OptiMSM is made exclusively in the USA and manufactured in a single purpose cGMP-certified, ISO-registered facility to help provide essential traceability.

Kosher and Halal certified, Non-GMO project verified, gluten-free, allergen-free, non-shellfish-derived, and vegan, our OptiMSM backed by extensive toxicology data.

MSM is a naturally occurring substance found in the human body and many foods. The highest concentration of MSM in nature is in mammal milk, but these sources contain MSM in parts per million. Therefore, you cannot extract, isolate or grow the compound.

Commercially available MSM does not come from wood, plants or fossil fuels. You can’t squeeze MSM from a tree, extract it from plants or remove it from petroleum or other fossil fuels. A chemical reaction is required to make MSM.

All commercially available MSM is synthetic and created through a chemical reaction of DMSO and hydrogen peroxide. Since all commercial MSM produced comes from DMSO, and all commercial DMSO is produced synthetically, the origin of the DMSO is insignificant.

DMSO is produced using several starting materials: methanol and hydrogen sulfide, or methanol and carbon disulfide. Whichever starting materials used, chemical reactions are required to produce DMSO.

There is a misconception that one supply of MSM is more natural than another. All MSM produced for commercial use utilizes the same raw materials—but there is a difference, and that boils down to the purification process, testing levels, specifications and quality of the manufacturing.

Balchem’s focus on purity sets OptiMSM^® apart. Belchem pioneered the distillation process of MSM ensuring the highest levels of purity and safety. Chemical engineers and other experts recognize the multi-stage distillation process used to purify OptiMSM as the superior method on the market. The end product is biomimetic, which means the same as that found in nature.

Every batch of OptiMSM is third-party tested, ensuring optimal purity, quality, and consistency. In contrast to OptiMSM, other commercially available MSM uses crystallization to isolate the MSM molecule.

Commercial MSM is produced from a chemical reaction between dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). In the reaction, the hydrogen peroxide provides an available atom of oxygen to the DMSO, forming MSM, which is also called DMSO₂, and water (DMSO + H₂O₂ = DMSO₂ + H₂O).

After the reaction is complete, the MSM must be separated from the water and other reaction by-products. Separation is commonly done utilizing one of two differing processes; either crystallization or distillation. Chemical engineers recognize distillation as the superior separation method for MSM purification and if properly performed will consistently yield a product of 99.9% purity.¹

Crystallization separates the MSM from the water (parent solvent) by decreasing the solubility of the MSM by cooling the solution. During crystal formation occlusions, small pockets or imperfections, form within the crystal that can entrap impurities present within the reaction mixture.^2,3,4 These impurities can come from additional water added during the reaction phase, side reactions, the reactants themselves, or the catalyst which usually contains a strong mineral acid. It is pertinent to remember that one of the primary reactants is DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide). DMSO is a very strong industrial solvent, one of the few that can dissolve most epoxies. A technical bulletin from a major DMSO manufacturer states “DMSO, one of the strongest organic solvents, has been used commercially for over forty years. It is an effective solvent for a wide array of organic materials, including many polymers. DMSO also dissolves many inorganic salts, particularly transition metal nitrates, cyanides, and dichromates.”⁵

Distillation uses boiling point differentials to separate the MSM from the water and other impurities. Distillation is usually performed using either multiple distillation columns or multiple distillation steps within a single column. Ultimately the purified MSM is vaporized and distilled overhead resulting in an extremely pure final product. Distillation is energy intensive and a more expensive separation technique, but it ensures a product that is virtually contamination-free regardless of the level of impurities in the reaction mixture.¹ U.S. based Balchem producers of OptiMSM are the only MSM producers using distillation for purification.

These two separation processes will both yield MSM that is equally bio-available.  The highest level of purity is essential to ensure the end user can achieve desired therapeutic results without having to worry about potential health issues from trace impurities.

References

1. Jacob SW, Appleton J. MSM: The Definitive Guide. California: Freedom Press, 2003 188-189

2. King CJ. Separation Processes, 2 nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hil Book Company, 1980, 732-3

3. Bennett RC, Corder WC, Finn RK, et al. Miscellaneous separation processes. In: Perry RH, Chilton CH, eds.

   Chemical Engineer’s Handbook, 5 th ed. New York: Mcgraw- Hill Book Company1973, 17-1 to 17-58

4. Van Hook A. Crystallization: Theory and Practice. New York: Reinhold Publishing Corporation, 1963 192-237.

5. [No authors listed] DMSO: Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) Solubility Data technical bulletin #102B. Gaylord Chemical Corporation, Slidell, Louisiana

Informed-Ingredient is a global quality assurance program for sports nutrition products, suppliers to the sports nutrition industry, and supplement manufacturing facilities. The program certifies that every batch of a supplement product and/or raw material that bears the Informed-Ingredient logo has been tested for banned substances by LGC’s world-class sports anti-doping laboratory.

The Informed-Ingredient designation is another testament to Balchem’s continued commitment to the quality, consistency, and safety of OptiMSM.

Dependent on the liquid and the amount of OptiMSM you are trying to dissolve, MSM will dissolve in water to a concentration of about 15-17% by weight at room temperature.

The recommended dose of OptiMSM, as suggested by studies, varies depending on the intended use. For skin health, particularly in reducing visible signs of aging, a daily intake of 1 gram of OptiMSM has been shown to be effective. This dosage led to improvements in skin firmness, elasticity, hydration, and a reduction in wrinkles and skin roughness. It’s important to note that these benefits were observed even at this relatively low dose.

For more specific or detailed dosing recommendations, especially tailored to individual health goals or conditions, it would be best to consult a healthcare provider. Keep in mind that dietary supplements should be used as part of a healthy lifestyle and not as a substitute for a varied diet.