Buyer's Guide To
Joint Supplements
What Everyone Needs to Know About Joint Health

MSM with Glucosamine Creme

Rating: NA
Company: NA

What is it?

MSM with Glucosamine Creme is a natural massage cream that claims to soothe painful joints, while preventing cartilage loss, a common symptom that precedes arthritis. Unlike joint pain supplements, this cream can be used on an "as-needed" basis, making application easy and convenient. It also claims to boost the elasticity and lubrication of the joints, preserving cartilage and preventing joint degradation, which can lead to further pain.

What ingredients are in MSM with Glucosamine Creme?

MSM with Glucosamine Creme contains purified soft water, xanthan gum, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), glucosamine sulfate, steareth 20, aloe vera gel, cetearyl alcohol, chamomile extract, ceteareth 20, comfrey extract, stearyl alcohol, kukui nut oil, cetyl alcohol, arnica extract, capryic/capric glucerides, lcithin, cyclo-methicone, sweet almond oil, dimethicone, tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), ginger extract, sodium metabisulfite, capsicum oleoresin, glycerine, triethanolamine, propylparaben, methylparaben and eucalyptus fragrance.

Do the ingredients in MSM with Glucosamine Creme help reduce joint pain?

It may or may not. According to a 2006 clinical trial reported on About.com, a glucosamine-chondroitin combination was shown to lessen pain in people diagnosed with osteoarthritis, a common joint disorder caused by cartilage loss between the joints. Further tests have also showed it reduced cartilage loss caused by this condition, which could help stop or slow down the progression of arthritis. However, researchers note that it is not clear if these benefits are derived from glucosamine, chondroitin, or a mixture of both ingredients. MSM with Glucosamine Creme does not contain chondroitin, so it is not clear if it could reduce joint pain.

Is MSM with Glucosamine Creme safe?

No--it contains a potentially dangerous ingredient called comfrey, which has been banned from commercial sale in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Germany. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, comfrey contains a dangerous substance called pyrrolizidine, which can build up and cause severe, irreversible liver damage. Doctors only recommend taking creams containing comfrey for only a short time under medical supervision to mitigate the dangers of this ingredient.

Verdict:

It may or may not reduce joint pain, according to medical evidence. Unfortunately, it also contains an ingredient that could cause liver damage, and should not be used for extended periods of time.