MSM/sulfur supplements with the fewest additives

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane, a way of delivering sulfur/sulphur) may be useful for fighting osteoarthritis, post-exercise muscle soreness, and fatigue. However, many MSM supplements add excipients I think are worth avoiding.

I also lean towards brands who use Bergstrom Nutrition's OptiMSM in their products for a few reasons, even though they tend to be more expensive:

With those constraints, here's the brands I'd suggest:

MSM powder suggestions:

This first suggestion is more expensive, but provides a certificate of analysis showing their composition and that they're made in the US:

Photo of PureBulk OptiMSM (Powder)
PureBulk OptiMSM (Powder)
Available on PureBulk
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • hypromellose-free / hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-free
  • free of gums
Negatives:
(none)
All ingredients:

OptiMSM methylsulfonylmethane powder.

These two are much less expensive (under 3 cents per gram), and are probably identical to PureBulk's:

Photo of Jarrow Formulas MSM (Powder)
Jarrow Formulas MSM (Powder)
Available on iHerb
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • hypromellose-free / hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-free
  • free of gums
Negatives:
(none)
All ingredients:

OptiMSM methyl-sulfonyl-methane powder.

Photo of Source Naturals MSM (Powder)
Source Naturals MSM (Powder)
Available on iHerb
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • hypromellose-free / hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-free
  • free of gums
Negatives:
(none)
All ingredients:

OptiMSM methylsulfonylmethane powder.

MSM gelatin capsule suggestion:

Photo of Doctor's Best Best-MSM (Gelatin Capsules)
Doctor's Best Best-MSM (Gelatin Capsules)
Available on iHerb
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • hypromellose-free / hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-free
  • free of gums
Negatives:
(none)
All ingredients:

OptiMSM methylsulfonylmethane, gelatin (capsule).

MSM veggie capsule suggestion:

Photo of Kala Health OptiMSM MSM (Veggie Capsules)
Kala Health OptiMSM MSM (Veggie Capsules)
Available on msmpure.com
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • hypromellose-free / hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-free
  • free of gums
Negatives:
(none)
All ingredients:

OptiMSM, vegetable capsule.


Other MSM products

The following are other MSM products I'm aware of, sorted alphabetically.

Name Ingredients
7 Lights Sulfur Defense MSM (Powder)

Methylsulfonylmethane crystals (99.9%).

BulkSupplements MSM (Choice of Gelatin or Veggie Capsules)

Methylsulfonylmethane powder, capsule shell ingredients (BulkSupplements couldn't say what these were, other than presumably gelatin for the gelatin version).

BulkSupplements MSM (Powder)

Methylsulfonylmethane powder.

A certificate of analysis is available.

Dexterity Health MSM (Liquid)

Methylsulfonylmethane, calcium ascorbate, distilled water.

Doctor's Best Best-MSM (Powder)

OptiMSM methylsulfonylmethane powder.

Doctor's Best Best-MSM (Tablets)

OptiMSM methylsulfonylmethane, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate (vegetable source).

Dr Mercola MSM with Organic Sulfur Complex

OptiMSM methylsulfonylmethane, L-methionine, R-alpha lipoic acid (from sodium R-alpha lipoate), organic sulfur vegetable blend (garlic, broccoli, collard greens, cauliflower, and kale), capsule (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), silicon dioxide.

Jarrow Formulas MSM (Gelatin Capsules)

OptiMSM methylsulfonylmethane, magnesium stearate (vegetable source), capsule consists of gelatin.

Health Natura MSM (Powder)

MSM powder.

A certificate of analysis is available, with the China as the country of origin

Kala Health OptiMSM MSM (Powder, Course Flake-form)

OptiMSM methylsulfonylmethane powder.

Make sure to get the "course flake" powder rather than the "fine crystal" form if you want to avoid silicon dioxide.

Lifetime Vitamins MSM (Powder)

Methylsulfonylmethane powder.

MRM MSM Crystals (Powder)

MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane) powder.

Natural Factors MSM (Capsules)

OptiMSM methylsulfonylmethane, gelatin capsule (gelatin, purified water), magnesium stearate (vegetable grade).

Natural Factors MSM (Tablets)

OptiMSM methylsulfonylmethane, cellulose, silica, magnesium stearate (vegetable grade).

Nature's Way OptiMSM (Tablets)

OptiMSM methylsulfonylmethane, vegetable cellulose, vegetable modified cellulose, vegetable magnesium stearate, vegetable glycerin, and vegetable acacia.

NOW Foods MSM (Gelatin Capsules)

Methylsulfonylmethane, gelatin (capsule), stearic acid and magnesium stearate.

NOW Foods MSM (Powder)

Methylsulfonylmethane powder.

NuSci MSM (Powder)

Methylsulfonylmethane powder (assayed at 99.9%).

NutraBio MSM (Opti) (Powder)

OptiMSM methylsulfonylmethane powder.

NutraBio is unable to provide a certificate of analysis without a purchase.

NutraBio MSM (Opti) (Veggie Capsules)

OptiMSM methylsulfonylmethane powder, vegetable capsule (probably hydroxypropyl methylcellulose).

PC NetwoRx OptiMSM (Powder) [Discontinued?]

OptiMSM methylsulfonylmethane flakes.

Pure Encapsulations MSM (Powder)

Methylsulfonylmethane powder (OptiMSM).

Pure Encapsulations MSM (Veggie Capsules)

Methylsulfonylmethane powder (OptiMSM), vegetarian capsule (cellulose from pesticide-free Southern pine, probably hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, water).

PureBulk MSM (Powder)

Methylsulfonylmethane powder.

Source Naturals MSM (Tablets)

OptiMSM methylsulfonylmethane, molybdenum chelate, vitamin C (as ascorbic acid), sorbitol, stearic acid, modified cellulose gum, silica, and magnesium stearate.

Trimedica Pure MSM (Liquid)

Methylsulfonylmethane, deionized water, benzyl alcohol.

Load comments