Hair loss treatment: The supplement shown to strengthen hair follicles and promote growth

HAIR loss is fertile ground for insecurity but research suggests it does not have to be an immutable characteristic. A natural compound has shown promise in restoring hair growth. Hair loss is a common feature of ageing but viewing it in this way can be self-defeating. To view it as simply as an intrinsic part of the ageing process often counters any move to try and thwart it. People may begrudgingly come to accept it for want of a solution. Research shows that, while hair loss is a part of the ageing process, the reverse is also true. Natural solutions can promote hair growth. One of the more encouraging examples of this is methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a sulfur chemical compound found in plants, animals, and humans. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, MSM is commonly used as an oral supplement to treat arthritis pain and swelling but its benefits seem to extend to restoring hair growth. READ MORE: Hair loss treatment: The plant-based oil proven to boost hair growth in men The research is not extensive but it does suggest that MSM sulfur can form bonds essential to strengthening hair and influencing hair growth. One study tested the effect of MSM and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP) on hair growth and alopecia (the medical term for hair loss) treatment. MAP is a water-soluble precursor of vitamin C. The test was performed on mice. Researchers applied varying percentages of MAP and MSM solutions to their backs. DON'T MISS High blood pressure - the best exercise you can do at home to prevent hypertension [TIPS] Jack P Shepherd health: ‘I ultimately go blind’ Corrie star's condition - the symptoms [INSIGHT] Type 2 diabetes: The serious condition in the tummy caused by high blood sugar [INSIGHT] The study concluded that hair growth depended on how much MSM was applied in conjunction with MAP. The results of a study published in the Natural Medicine Journal strengthens the link to the hair growth. In a double-blind clinical study, 63 subjects ingested either one gram or three grams of MSM per day. Expert clinical grading and subject self-assessment were used to evaluate hair and nail condition over four months of use. MSM supplementation provided statistically significant improvements in the condition of the hair and nails as determined by expert grading and subject self-assessment. Consistent with the animal study, the higher concentration (three grams a day) of MSM delivered quicker and stronger benefits, as compared to the lower concentration (one gram a day). MSM appears to benefit hair and nail health, possibly by its action on keratin, which is a major building-block for the hair and nails. According to the NHS, the main drug treatments for hair loss are finasteride and minoxidil. As the health body explains, minoxidil can also be used to treat female pattern baldness but women shouldn't use finasteride. It is also worth noting that both drugs come with drawbacks, warns the health site