Re: Fingernails......Hello?!

MSM is a synthetic sulfur source containing 34% sulfur by weight.  It breaks down in to elemental sulfur in the body.  From there the sulfur is used for various purposes including the formation of the protein keratin, which is composed of double sulfur bonds.  So yes, it helps with growth.  Same applies to hair.

The reason it has not really been mentioned is because sulfur deficiencies are very uncommon.  So many of the foods we eat contain sulfur, and some common ones such as onions and garlic are high in sulfur.

Silica is common in insoluble fibers, but unlike sulfur the body's ability to absorb silica declines with age.  So supplementing or restoring stomach acidity to allow for its proper absorption becomes very important.