Importance of Sulfur In Human Health

Importance of Sulfur In Human Health

 

Introduction

Sulfur, in its native form, is a bright yellow crystalline solid.

In nature, it can be found as the pure element and as sulfide and sulfate minerals.

 It is an essential element for life and is found in two amino acids: cysteine and methionine.

Sulfur is found in every living cell. It's part of the molecules that form the amino acids (protein building blocks) methionine, cysteine, and taurine, which are essential for health.

l   It's a constituent of vitamin B1 and biotin, the antioxidant glutathione, the anticoagulant heparin, and coenzyme A, which drives energy production in cells.

Distribution through the body

l  Sulfur, after calcium and phosphorus, is the most abundant mineral element found in our body.

l  Approximately 0.25 percent of your total body weight is sulfur.

l  It is most concentrated in keratin, which gives you strong hair, nails, and skin.

l  It is known as "nature's beauty mineral" because your body needs it to manufacture collagen, which keeps your skin elastic and young-looking.

 

Dietary Sources

l  The form your body uses is found in protein-rich foods .

l  Proteins contain between 3 and 6% of sulfur amino acids.

l  A very small percentage of sulfur comes in the form of inorganic sulfates and other forms of organic sulfur present in foods such as garlic, onion, broccoli .

Dietary Sources

l  Here is a handy list of some sulfur foods:

l  Vegetables: Asparagus, broccoli, watercress, cabbage, parsley, garlic, and onion.
* Chicken, eggs, and red meat.
* Coconut, avocado, and most other nuts.
* Milk and cheese
* Legumes and dried beans

 

Deficiency - Symptoms Risk Factors

Alzheimer's disease

Nerve degeneration

Memory loss, arthritis Cartilage degeneration Reduced insulin production Collagen diseases affecting hair, skin, nails

 

 

Deficiency - Symptoms

l  Too little sulfur: If your body is deficient in sulfur, you could face many health problems such as:

 arthritis, fibromyalgia, asthma, lupus, allergies, and acne.

 

Importance of sulfur on protein structure

l  Disulfide bonds (S-S bonds) formed between cysteine residues in peptide chains are very important in protein assembly and structure.

l   These strong covalent bonds between peptide chains give proteins a great deal of extra toughness and resiliency.

l  For example, the high strength of feathers and hair is in part due to their high content of S-S bonds and their high content of cysteine and sulfur.

l  The high disulfide content of hair and feathers contributes to their indigestibility, and also their odor when burned.

 

l  Sulfur is a structural part of most proteins and thereby participates in many life-sustaining enzymatic, antibody, and tissue activities. It also is found in the anticoagulant heparin and in chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate.

 

 

BENEFIT OF SULFUR

l  Sulfur has many beneficial uses and is found to be effective in the treatment of various illnesses including osteoarthritis, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.

l  Sulfur is a natural anti-histamine and is thus very useful in controlling allergies.

l  Sulfur also helps to keep up your energy levels, reduces tiredness and fatigue, and is especially vital for the health of your hair, nails, and skin.

 

 

 

Biological roll of sulfur

l  The most important function of sulfur is its role in carbohydrate metabolism, where sulfur is a component of insulin, the hormone secreted by the pancreas essential for carbohydrate metabolism.  

l  Low sulfur can result in low insulin production, so adequate amounts of sulfur in the diet can help with diabetes.

l  It is also possible that a lack of bio-available sulfur would make the cells so rigid and impermeable that they become unable to absorb sugar from the blood efficiently, leaving blood sugar levels elevated.

l  Studies indicate that regular MSM supplements which cause the cell to become permeable, could help balance blood sugar and allow the overworked pancreas to return to normal.

l  Carnitine comes from methionine and transports long chain fatty acids preventing accumulations of lipoproteins.

l   Many B-complex vitamins interact with or contain sulfur.

 

l  Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid formed from methionine.

l  Taurine stabilizes cell membranes.

l  Methionine contains sulfur, detoxifies cells, and is involved in pain relief .

 

l  Glutathione,  as a sulfur containing compound formed from cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine, is found in all human tissues, with the highest concentrations found in the liver and eyes.

l   As a key constituent of glutathione, cysteine has many important physiological functions.

l  Glutathione is a potent antioxidant, protecting fatty tissues from the damaging effects of free radicals.

l  The antioxidant activity of glutathione is attributed specifically to the presence of cysteine in the compound.

l  MSM benefits all of us but especially those suffering from arthritis and joint problems and inflammation, migraine sufferers and also athletes in reducing or even eliminating muscle cramps.

l  It is also beneficial in reducing wrinkles, promoting strong hair, skin and nails, and for this reason alone, is recommended for women from an anti aging prevention aspect. It supports the immune system so is beneficial

 

Benefit from sulfur-containing supplements

l  In fact, the benefits of sulfur-containing supplements (Glucosamine Sulfate, MSM) on some forms of arthritis are not just a result of their positive effect on cartilage regeneration, but they are largely based on lowering elevated copper levels which promote joint degeneration, particularly - or more so - on the right side of the body.

Effects on skin , hair and nails

l  Our skin hair and nails contain sulfur, and it is this you can smell if you have ever burnt your hair.

l   It benefits skin hair and nails and has a beautifying effect on them as it smoothes the skin because of its collagen building effects, strengthens hair and nails and causes acceleration of hair growth.

l  It is an essential component of all connective tissue.

 

Effects on hair

l  As our bodies age, some our of biological processes start to slow down. One of these processes is hair growth. In some cases hair growth is just slowed, while in other cases it can stop completely.

l  However, there are some nutrients that can not only help prevent hair loss, but may also speed up the hair growth process.

 

Effect on skin

l  If there is insufficient sulfur in the body when new cells are being manufactured, the new cells will be rigid. This rigidity can contribute to cracking, wrinkling and unsightly scar tissue.

l   When sufficient sulfur is present for new cells, the skin is softer, smoother and more flexible. MSM provides that sulfur.

l  MSM is responsible for the flexible disulfide bonds between cells, including those that make up the skin. It blocks undesirable chemical and physical cross-linking or bonding of collagen which is associated with tough, aging skin. Con consequently MSM enhances tissue pliability and encourages repair f damaged skin.

 

Conditions That Have Reportedly Responded to MSM Supplements

l Acne

l Allergies

l Arthritis

l Asthma

l Candida Yeast Infections

l Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

l Chronic Fatigue

l Constipation

l Diabetes

 

Conditions That Have Reportedly Responded to MSM Supplements

l Digestive Disorders

l Fragile Hair & Nails

l Migraine Headaches

l Muscle Pain & Cramps

l Parasites

l Skin Damage & Aging

l Toxic Build-up

l Ulcers

 

Requirements

l  There are no RDA guidelines for the intake of sulfur as it is believed that people get enough sulfur from sulfur foods.

l  There is no need to worry about getting too much sulfur in your diet. If you get more than your body needs, you just excrete it in your urine.

 

l  Sulfur (S) requirements had to be met mostly through dietary sources, primarily eggs, onions and garlic.  

l  This created problems for people with below-normal sulfur (or sulfur) levels who couldn't tolerate these foods.

l  A deficiency syndrome has not been described.

l   Sulfur is derived in the diet from the amino acids in which it is incorporated; therefore, intake corresponds with the quality and quantity of protein intake

adverse effects

l  Possible adverse effects of consuming higher amounts of sulfur-containing foods or supplements :

l  include diarrhea,

l  flatulence,

l  bloating,

l  while a very small number of patients have complained of a "stomach burning" sensation.

 

Diet, Bone Metabolism, and Osteoporosis

l  Protein, and therefore nitrogen, intake results in increased urinary calcium losses. The mobilization of mineral from bone induced by protein intake is thought to be due to the buffering of acid generated during protein metabolism.

 

Diet, Bone Metabolism, and Osteoporosis

l  To the extent that protein ingestion contributes to calcium loss in urine, it is the result of the sulfur load imposed and consequent acidification of serum and urine. As vegetable protein imposes less of a sulfur load than animal protein, protein from vegetable sources may be less likely to contribute to urinary loss of calcium

 

      Nutrient interactions

l  Sulfur interferes with the storage of copper, an essential trace element, however copper levels tend to be on the high side with many people, so this is generally a positive effect.  It is interesting that patients with normal or below-normal copper levels rarely exhibit below-normal sulfur levels.

l  Patients who are prescribed Potassium (Slow K, K-Lyte ), should be aware that the amount they take will have to be increased when supplementing MSM, or Glucosamine Sulfate also.

 

l  With sulfur being a calcium and potassium antagonist, high supplemental intake of glucosamine sulfate or MSM may worsen low calcium-related disorders such as insomnia, fatigue, anxieties, or bone loss, and they may worsen low potassium-related cardiac, or renal / genitourinary conditions .

 

l  Sulfur, Vitamin C, chromium and molybdenum are all co-factors, which help normalize copper levels, and/or increase its bioavailability, and consequently help with related physical problems such as spinal / joint and vascular degeneration, or mental / emotional problems such as moodiness, "foggy" mind, memory problems, confusion

 

Sulfur Synergists

Sodium, molybdenum, selenium, Vitamin- B12 .

Sulfur Antagonists / Inhibitors:

Copper, potassium, calcium.

 

Rich -sulphur proteins

l  Animal proteins mainly meats are rich in a.a.s

l  that contain sulphur as methionine. The

l  excess sulfur makes the blood acidic. The

l  body then uses bone constituents (calcium)

l  to neutralize this acid load.

l  Acidic pH stimulate osteoclast, while alkaline

l  pH stimulate osteoblast.

l  Plant proteins have less sulphur content and

l  more magnesium and potassium.