Past few days I have been looking up the benefits of sulfur for the hair and there have been a lot. Sulfur is essential in maintaining the structures of protein in our bodies, like keratin. It also helps in the formation of immunoglobulins, so it is helping strengthen our immune systems (Internet Arthritis Center). Sulfur is also needed to keep our hair looking glossy (MSM & Hair Growth). The most commonly used form of sulfur that I have come across is MSM. MSM is short for Methylsulfonylmethane, which is a biologically active form of sulfur. It is naturally found in our bodies, but in many cases we are deficient in it, and sulfur (Internet Arthritis Center).
MSM aids in beautiful hair because it has been proven to stimulate scalp circulation, and from all your research you should know that a healthy head of hair requires a good circulation of blood nourishing it with all the vitamins and minerals it needs (MSM & Hair Growth). That is the reason why we take time out of our day to massage it. MSM has also shown to lengthen the growth phase, anagen phase, of hair (Hairfinity). That means your hair will be growing for a longer than normal period and with other healthy hair practices you will be able to see significant changes. So if your growth phase is increased to 2 years then by the time your hair enters its resting and shedding phases it would have growth approximately 12 inches (Hairfinity).
There has not yet been a dosage amount set for the use of MSM because it is considered safe to use. The common intake is about 1,000 mg to 3,000 mg of MSM daily (MSM & Hair Growth). I personally would recommend not starting with too high of a dosage. Yeah you may be very eager to try out MSM but it may be in your best interest to actually start of low just so that you can get your body accustomed to the elevated levels of sulfur.
Trial Studies
A trial was conducted by Ronald M. Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D. The trial showed that 100% of those subjects who where on Lignisul MSM had an increase in hair growth compared to those who where given the placebo. And 50% of the subjects given Lignisul MSM, compared to the control group, had an increase in nail length and nail thickness growth. Dr. Lawrence concluded that "oral supplementation with Lignisul MSM is a valuable addition to hair and nail growth. Hair and nail health was significantly improved in a short term of six weeks. If the trials were continued for eight to sixteen weeks, the results would have been even better for those on Lignisul" (Lindberg).
My Conclusions
Because of these reasons and many more I have decided that I want to add MSM to the regimen. Supplements will be very essential for my healthy hair growth, especially since I'm in college and never seem to find time to actually eat food. Adding vitamins and other supplements will help in not only my hair but most importantly my nutrition and body. The only downside is that I hate taking pills on a regular basis, so hopefully I won't forgot to take them.
Sources
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Hairfinity
