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86 of 88 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An honest look at an important nutrient, June 16, 2003
This review is from: MSM the Definitive Guide: The Nutritional Breakthrough for Arthritis, Allergies and More (Paperback)
I wrote this book. It is awkward to submit a review, but I think it is important that I respond to the previous reviewer and this is the only forum in which I can do so. The submission form required me to rate the book, which I obviously cannot do objectively. I gave it 5 stars, because... what am I going to do? Give my own book a negative review? It is far from perfect, but I remain confident that it is the "best" book on the topic. The state of the science and the paucity of controlled clinical trials are openly discussed by the authors. We made an honest attempt to present the known information on MSM, and carefully avoided any misleading language. The book offers-in the absence of results from controlled clinical trials-a balanced look at the clinical evidence for MSM in the treatment of many health conditions. We included many case studies, which are a legitimate (if preliminary) form of scientific evidence. To say that the evidence for MSM is "flimsy" or that people's successes with it are based on "luck" is simply incorrect and not consistent with what evidence does exist. Just because large double-blind trials have not been performed does not mean something doesn't work. (That is what the pharmaceutical companies would like you to believe.) The lack of double-blind trials only means that one type of objective evidence is lacking (one such trial is forthcoming, BTW). These studies take time and cost a lot of money. In the meantime, Dr. Jacob's experience treating more than 18,000 patients with MSM could hardly be considered "flimsy" nor should it be dismissed lightly in considering the efficacy of MSM. It is strong empirical evidence gathered over an entire career, and it deserves to be preserved for posterity, which was the purpose of this book. I would also like to correct the previous reviewer on his point about sulfur: we never suggest that Americans are sulfur-deficient. This is an unfortunate marketing myth about MSM, which we answer with a sound theoretical consideration of the role of sulfur in the body. Were we supposed to ignore the sulfur in MSM? That would be like ignoring the oxygen in water or the iron in hemoglobin. MSM is 34% sulfur. It is undoubtedly important, we just don't know exactly why. Nutrients and drugs can have "physiological" effects and they can have "pharmacological" effects. Although I do not think one can reasonably argue that "physiological" amounts of sulfur from MSM are therapeutic, it is evident that giving sulfur in the form of MSM, above and beyond the amount needed to prevent or correct a deficiency (i.e., a "pharmacologic" dose), does have therapeutic effects. The reviewer says that "several studies indicate only very little sulfur from MSM is actually absorbed." That is incorrect. Only one published study suggests that (Richmond, 1986.) He also states, "If MSM works it is extremely unlikely it works the way this book and other books suggest it works." We do not claim to know how MSM works. We present some theories, based on the known effects of DMSO. We would welcome any alternative theories as well as studies to demonstrate mechanisms of action. The fact remains that no one knows how MSM works. We know THAT it works, but science has yet to discover how. We agree with the reviewer that MSM probably also exerts effects via other mechanisms. Finally, this is not just another MSM book. It is a completely unique guide that presents a vast amount of never-before published information on MSM:
--It was originally written for doctors, and it provides many protocols for using MSM (including IV, oral, topical, subcutaneous, intravesicular) that appear nowhere else in the medical literature:
--It contains an unprecedented chapter on quality issues in the MSM manufacturing industry, which alerts consumers to vital elements of the manufacturing process that can affect supplement quality;
--It contains heretofore-unpublished information on MSM toxicity;
--It contains dozens of medical case histories (not testimonials) that had not been published to date;
--It includes an unprecedented chapter on the veterinary applications of MSM, with much previously unavailable information from a private collection of letters and articles donated by the estate of the eminent veterinarian, the late John W. Metcalf, DVM;
--It concludes with a critical examination of MSM myths, many of which are still circulating on the Internet and in various publications. Our book is the most comprehensive collection of data on MSM yet made available, and it was purposely written without the hyperbole that discredits other discussions of MSM. Perhaps someone will write a better book on MSM some day. I hope they do. But until that happens, this is the definitive guide.
Dr. Jacob and I are proud of this book, and we are available to discuss it with interested readers.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Have been using MSM for years; it works, March 16, 2008
This review is from: MSM the Definitive Guide: The Nutritional Breakthrough for Arthritis, Allergies and More (Paperback)
I used to breed Bullmastiffs, which are large guard dogs. I fed MSM to my growing puppies and to my adults. Large breeds such as this one often get arthritis but my dogs never did. I think keeping them flooded with this great anti-inflamatory was the reason. Hip displasia in my own dogs was practically nil.
My husband and I have been taking MSM for many years. He is now 72 and looks 60. He has NO arthiritis and can smack a golf ball with the younger guys, often outdriving them.
As for me, I think this stuff is the fountain of youth! I am 69 and people tell me I look in my late forties. Either they are blind...or not. I have no osteoarthritis. I have interstital cystitis which is a horrid disease, but I did as Dr. Jacob recommends and took MSM shortly after I was diagnosed. It worked and hallaluyah to that!!! The pain from IC is indescribable! It is an autoimmune disease.
I also have had 3 bouts of pericarditis before taking MSM...also autoimmune and I haven't had another one since taking MSM. I have had a rare form of psoriasis since I was 17, thankfully I don't look like a lizard and the MSM helps to keep it at bay.
My general health is fabulous and I owe it to MSM and Dr. Jacob! When I was diagnosed with the IC, my urologist wanted me to go on a drug that cost $200 a month and it takes over a year to see if it works and it only works in 20% of the women diagnosed with IC. Those odds were atrocious. I looked on the internet for something that might help me and that's when I found Dr. Jacob's site. He is a gift from the Gods!
MSM is as safe as good water. I noted a huge jump in energy so I have to take mine in the morning otherwise I can't sleep at night.
For all those years my dogs were on it, silly me didn't think to use it myself. I put my dogs on it because I found out that horsemen had been using it for years. (On their horses, tee hee!) If you can use something on a horse, it is safe for just about any living thing. DMSO and MSM are an intregal part of our lives and always will be.
I guess by now you know that I love the stuff!!!
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26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Re-reviewed: I've become more positive about this book!, April 12, 2004
This review is from: MSM the Definitive Guide: The Nutritional Breakthrough for Arthritis, Allergies and More (Paperback)
I didn't know the author reacted to my review. I am very positive about his reaction, he is right that statements about how MSM might work are not stated as being his opinion but as existing theories. Weaknesses in MSM research:
- The almost complete lack of double-blind research studies
- We still don't know how it works I think the lack of double-blind research studies is the most worrying, and until there are enough of them do consider the possibility that you're throwing your money away. On the other hand, MSM has become dirt cheap. The fact that they don't know how it works is also worrying. On the other hand, there are many conventional drugs that work in ways the research don't or only partially understand. Having now read some of the other MSM books, I think I can safely say this is one of the best ones. The fact the author responded to my criticism in a fair and balanced way is something not often seen in authors of health books. Just like with Doctors trying to push pills from a drug company they're receiving nice sums of money from, keep in mind the author is associated with a producer of MSM. He's not impartial, unfortunately that seems to be the way it is in the drug business. Considering the fact that pretty much anyone can afford to use MSM, it doesn't really bother me. People getting ripped off by pharmaceutical companies does bother me. Most importantly for me, I suffer from allergies and MSM works for me like nothing else. Looking at the research, it could be entirely attributed to the placebo effect. I suspect MSM is a very powerful and very safe drug. Independently funded double-blind research (studies that compensate for the placebo effect) are essential to make MSM a believable drug. Until that time, websites like www.quackwatch.com have every right to question the effectiveness of MSM from a scientific perspective. I think it deserves four stars, but I'm now giving five stars to compensate for my previous two stars. Please drop the word `definitive' when the book is reprinted. I get 44451 results when I search for 'definitive' on amazon.com! Most of these authors don't seem to have a clue about what the word `definitive' means.
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