[thinthinker]

Sorry it took so long to get this info to you but I had to run to the nutrition store for it, I didn't have a copy here at the house. I know it's been awhile since this discussion took place but I'm posting this here just in case anyone else cares. I know a good portion of this deals with hair and nails and only the first part of it deals with the pain subject we've been talking about, but I figured since I had it, I would post it.

This is from a sheet that they hand out at the health food store:

How do you spell pain relief?
These days, more and more people are spelling it MSM - which stands for methylsulfonylmethane --is a nutritional supplement that is rapidly establishing a reputation as a safe, natural, and effective solution for many types of pain and inflammatory conditions, including:
Degenerative arthritis, Chronic back pain, Chronic headache, Muscle pain, Fibromyalgia, Tendinitis and bursitis, Carpal tunnel syndrome, TMJ, Post-traumatic pain and inflammation and Allergies.

Study shows MSM improves recovery reduces office visits for athletic injuries.
Greenville, PA - A recent preliminary study showed that people suffering from sprains, strains, and athletic injuries may benefit from the use of MSM (Methyl-sulfonyl-methane), a naturally-based nutritional supplement that supplies biologically-active sulfur.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 24 patients (both male and female), showed that taking MSM had a level of significant recovery (58.3%) compared to those on placebo (33.3%). In addition, patients on MSM had 40% fewer office visits before recovery. "MSM should be considered an invaluable addition for the treatment of short-term athletic injuries of the type that were involved in this study," said Ronald M. Lawrence, M.D., PhD., and assistant clinical professor of the UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles.

Pilot trial shows sulfur compound improves hair and nail growth

Greenville, PA, Jan. 18 - A recent, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot trial, performed by Ronald M. Lawrence, M.D., PhD., showed that 100% of the subjects on MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane), a nutritional supplement that provides biologically active sulfur, showed increased hair growth compared to the group on placebo. Only one subject on placebo showed an increase in hair length. In addition, 30% of the subjects on MSM showed improvement in hair brilliance, while none of the subjects on placebo showed such an improvement.

A second double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot trial, conducted simultaneously, showed that 50% of the subjects on MSM showed increased nail length and nail thickness growth compared to the group on placebo. Approximately 10% of those on placebo showed increased nail length growth. None of the subjects on placebo showed an increase in nail thickness.

Based on the results of the two trials, Dr. Lawrence concluded: "oral supplementation with MSM is a valuable addition to hari 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 MSM."

The hair trial involved a total of 21 patients - 5 women and 16 men. Data was collected by certified cosmotologists under the direction of Dr. Lawrence. The trial parameters included hair length, brilliance, and diameter of the individual hair shafts using industry standard measurement scales.

The nail trial involved a total of 11 subjects - 10 women and 1 man. Again, data was collected by certified cosmetologists. Trial parameters included nail length, thickness, luster and general appearance using industry standard measurement scales.

"All subjects supplemented with MSM were duly impressed with the changes in the health and appearance of their hair," said Dr. Lawrence. "The cosmetologists literally could differentiate which participants were on MSM by the appearance of the hair, alone, after six weeks."