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Sulfur
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Sulfur
Fast Facts
Foods:
egg yolks, garlic, onions,
dairy products, wheat germ, meats,
fish, legumes, nuts, cabbage,
raspberries
What
it's good for: studies
point to its use in metabolism
in joint health as well as avoiding
arthritis, joint pain & stiffness.
Allergies to sulfur compounds
are not uncommon and those who
are sensitive to the mineral should
e careful of foods that contain
either naturally occurring sulfur
or sulfur based additives.
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Sulfur,
which goes by the letter S on the periodic table, is necessary
for the proper functioning of all living cells. There are
two types of Sulfur that can be taken as health supplements:
dimethyl sulfoxide, which is known as DMSO, and methylsulfonylmethane
which is known as MSM. Both of these supplements have many
supposed health benefits.
One popular application of sulfur is as an ingredient in mud
baths, which may actually be more beneficial than they appear.
There is evidence that mud baths deliver many health benefits
to the skin, and benefit a variety of skin related problems
such as eczema, warts, psoriasis, and dandruff.
Another health benefit of sulfur that has been studied to
a limited degree is its use a treatment of arthritis.
Studies have shown that a type of therapy called balneotherapy,
which can include sulfur mud baths, offers health benefits
to those suffering from many different forms of arthritis,
including psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid
arthritis. There have also been studies that demonstrate
that when sulfur is applied to the skin as a topical treatment,
it improves many symptoms of arthritis such as joint swelling
and pain.
There is also some limited evidence to suggest that topical
sulfur may be useful in treating more general joint
pain. Studies done on this have found that when sulfur
is applied topically there is an increase in the joint's range
of motion along with a lowered amount of pain. The evidence
for this is mixed, however, and additional research needs
to be done before anything conclusive can be said.
For those looking to supplement their sulfur intake, there
are many excellent food sources of sulfur, including eggs,
garlic, onion, meats, legumes, and dairy.
More
about sulfar around the Web:
Discover
more about the nutrient that is found in every cell in the
body, its relationship to other nutrients, information on
high sulfur foods and low-sulfur diets...
MSM
Information - With facts on methylsulfonylmethane, the organic
form of sulfur with a discussion on the need for clinical studies, its use for
muscle and joint pain in conjunction with glucosamine and chondroitin, and possible
side effects. The
Sulfur Solution - Archived article from the Nutrition Reporter on its
history and uses, plus information on related supplements alpha-lipoic acid, chondroitin
and glucosamine sulfate, glutathione, MSM, garlic, N-acetylcysteine, and SAMe
with recommended daily dosages. Selenium
Sulfur DRI/RDA - Overview of systemic effects, interactions with other
nutrients, above normal levels associated with diseases such as Lou Gehrig's,
Alzheimer's and Chron's disease, recommended daily allowances, food sources.
A
Canary's-Eye View - Foods Rich in Sulfur - For those on a sulfur restricted
diet, a quick list of high-sulfur foods with a link to more information on sulfur
metabolism. Methylsulfonylmethane
(MSM) - Quackwatch - A look at the science supporting claims of health
benefits from MSM dietary supplements. Seems that there isn't too much science
behind the claims - Quackwatch says, "No published research studies link
MSM to any of the health claims made by its marketers. Sulfur needed in human
metabolism comes from dietary protein. MSM supplements probably make little or
no contribution to the body's sulfur requirements. Thus there is no good reason
to use MSM supplements." Whole
Foods Cooperative Health Library - Sulfur - Brief essay on sulfur's benefits,
food sources, deficiency symptoms. TJClark
- Sulfur - Section of a nutritional supplement site that does a very good
job of covering sulfur's role in the body, sulfur's benefits, sulfur-containing
amino acids, food sources, deficiency symptoms and links to more research.
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