MSM is the abbreviation for MethylSulfonyl Methane, a natural form of sulfur (which is required in the body for proper assimilation of essential alpha amino acids); and to make many proteins, catalysts & enzymes. It is found naturally in many foods when they're absolutely fresh, but is quickly lost as freshness passes -- and effectively destroyed by the heat involved in virtually any cooking. The rapid rate at which natural MSM decays led to the patenting of a process to make a synthetic version -- initially manufactured for use by veterinarians on high performance animals such as thoroughbred race horses, and then made in "food grade" for humans as the benefits were more fully understood. The patent documents list many benefit for sedentary people as well as for athletes; in enhancing the effectiveness of antioxidants and other bioflavinoids; in helping maintain health while aging; and for mental as well as physical processes. Other benefits have been reported to the digestive system, to the immune system, and in helping specific body functions (such as production of natural insulin and choline). Since MSM appears to be more effective when it's taken with the "proper" amount of Vitamin C (with that amount being, in many experts opinion, 10% of the amount of Vitamin C as compared to the weight of the MSM being ingested), En Garde formulates all of its "stand-alone" MSM products together with Vitamin C, in exactly that ratio.
