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  • Top Questions to Ask Suppliers
    1) Are you a GMP certified plant and if not, why not?
    Yes - OptiMSM® is manufactured in the only dedicated NPA cGMP-approved MSM production facility in the world. While under the new FDA rules, ingredient suppliers aren't required to be compliant, we have taken the extra step to assure you the highest quality, safest MSM on the market.

    2) What steps do you take to eliminate contamination from other ingredients, solvents and residual heavy metals, like mercury, which is unsafe at any level?
    OptiMSM® is made in a single purpose facility. Contaminants from other ingredients and solvents for cleaning equipment are never an issue. OptiMSM® is distilled in a four-stage process and boiled to a specific temperature to eliminate both volatile and non-volatile contaminants, including benzene and mercury. Ask for our COA.

    3) Do you actively test or only occasionally?
    Every lot of OptiMSM is independently third party tested for quantifiable lead, arsenic, cadmium, aluminum, mercury and microbials. Active testing of every batch is the only way to ensure quality and purity. OptiMSM® supports compliance with California Prop 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 and is Kosher and Halal-certified.

    4) How can I be assured timely delivery?
    In 25 years of business, we have never had a backorder. And because we are located in the United States, shipping can't be held up by the import process.

    5) How easy is it to get clear answers to all of these questions?
    With just one call, you'll have access to our expertise and technical assistance to help you keep production running, lower costs and maximize sales.

    6) Can I visit your plant?
    Visit us anytime you're in Vancouver, Washington. Our entire operation including manufacturing, technical support, shipping, customer service, marketing and sales is located right outside Portland, Oregon, 10 minutes from the airport.
  • Oral Developmental Toxicity Study of Methylsulfonylmethane in Rats, Food and Chemical Toxicology (2006).
    >>Read the Abstract

    Pharmacokinetics and Distribution of [35S]Methylsulfonylmethane following Oral Administration to Rats, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2006).
    >>Read the Abstract

  • Study shows MSM one of three supplements supported by good to moderate evidence
    Arthritis Research & Therapy reviewed 2,026 OA nutritional supplement studies and concludesd that only three supplements including MSM are supported by good to moderate evidence.

    Researchers from the Nestle Research Center, Lausanne,
    Switzerland, Laurent G. Ameye and Winnie S.S. Chee, have concluded that of 2,026 human clinical trials evaluating the effects of nutritional compounds on osteoarthritis, only 53 studies provided
    minimum acceptable evidence and only three nutrients, including methylsulfonylmethane or MSM, showed good to moderate evidence. The research was published in Arthritis Research & Therapy, July 2006. The study did not include evidence for glucosamine or chondroitin sulfates, which are known to
    have significant research support.

    >>Read press release
  • Heavy Metals: Cause for Concern
    By Jason Theodosakis, M.D.

    Q: Should I be worried about heavy metals in my MSM?
    A: Be very worried. Since MSM is taken in relatively large amounts, the typical industry assurances of “less than 10 parts per million (ppm) of heavy metals as lead” are not reassuring at all. According to the California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, daily intake of lead should not exceed 0.5 mcg. MSM supplements with a lead specification of “<10 ppm” would exceed the acceptable lead intake at just 50 mg per day. Most people take 10–100 times that much MSM. Only buy MSM if the certificate of analysis from the raw material supplier states that the lead content is less than 0.05 ppm (or, preferably, <0.01 ppm). This way, you will be safe taking up to 10 grams (or 50 grams) per day without having to worry about lead. Only buy MSM if the certificate of analysis from the raw material supplier states that the lead content is less than 0.05 ppm (or, preferably, <0.01 ppm).

    Q: What questions should I ask my MSM supplier to assure high quality?
    1.A: Is your MSM manufactured by distillation or crystallization?
    2.Is your MSM made in the USA? Who supplies the raw material? Can you provide me with a certificate of manufacturing origin?
    3.What other products are made in the facility where your MSM is made? Is your MSM manufactured in a facility that meets Good Manufacturing Practices?
    What amount of lead, or other heavy metals is permitted on your certificate of analysis (5-10 ppm is bad; 0.05 ppm or less is good)
    I would say to be wary of products that simply list "not detectable" for contaminants, if the scale for indicating impurities in greater than 0.1 ppm (parts per million). A product that lists "not detectable" for lead at 1 ppm could have 20 times more lead than a product whose lead level is 0.05 ppm or less.

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  • PurforMSM Aims at Animal Health Market

    The fastest growing part of the animal nutrition market includes designer foods and supplements of a quality previously reserved for humans. Pet owners looking to provide only the best for their animals have created a burgeoning market for ultra-premium quality ingredients and products. From gourmet treats, organic foods and stylish clothing, our animals are pampered more than ever.

    PurforMSM is an extremely pure form of MSM, formulated to meet the needs of these discerning pet owners. US-made PurforMSM tells buyers that the product is top quality.

    For more information contact Jane Duvauchelle, Animal Nutrition Manager, 360-606-4401 or jduvauchelle@bergstromnutrition.com

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  • Dr. Theo talks about MSM with Deborah Ray on Healthy Talk Radio

    Listen to the podcast (50 megabytes / 53 minutes)

    Right click to download or just click to stream inside your browser.

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  • Joint Pain & Profits: What's driving the Joint Health Category
    View the archived webcast

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  • Single Lab Validation Protocol

    The AOAC MSM Working Group is chaired by Bergstrom Nutrition. The Expert Review Panel (ERP) has recommended industry testing standards to determine MSM purity and residual DMSO in MSM raw materials and finished goods.  The group has now reached the single lab validation (SLV) protocol stageDr. Zhou of NOW Foods will be the study director.  The SLV study will begin after the protocol is approved by the ERP.  This SLV study is expected to take up to a month to generate the study data.
          
    With the successful completion of the SLV study, the MSM method will move into a collaborative study, where 8-12 labs will run a range of supplied samples to determine the robustness of the MSM method.  A successful collaborative study will generate a standardized MSM analytical method for industry use.

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  • Lean Manufacturing at Bergstrom Nutrition

    Bergstrom Nutrition started its Lean journey in May of 2006. The initial focus has been on 6-S, a visual method of organizing and streamlining the workplace. Significant benefits have already been realized. Using kaizen and a Continuous Improvement Project tracking system employees have learned how to see and eliminate waste in their daily activities.

    As the Lean journey continues Bergstrom is implementing a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) program and Supply Chain Management. TPM is a concept for maintaining plants and equipment that markedly increases productivity, quality, and consistency while at the same time increasing employee morale and job satisfaction. Supply Chain Management allows a company to become better by partnering with its suppliers and customers.

    Bergstrom Nutrition is moving forward with Lean. The belief is that the customer can best be served by a company that is focused on continual improvement, consistency and quality.

    The goal is to incorporate less human effort, less inventory, less time to develop products, and less space to become highly responsive to customer demand while producing products of unparalleled quality.

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