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Off topic: Sulfur and Human Health

Sulfur seems important, but often ignored
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Update Off-topic: Sulfur is very important to health Dec 2016

Sulfur in human nutrition and applications in medicine.

Altern Med Rev. 2002 Feb;7(1):22-44.
Parcell S. American Institute for Biosocial and Medical Research (AIBMR), Tacoma, WA, USA. steveparcell at attbi.com

Because the role of elemental sulfur in human nutrition has not been studied extensively, it is the purpose of this article to emphasize the importance of this element in humans and discuss the therapeutic applications of sulfur compounds in medicine. Sulfur is the sixth most abundant macromineral in breast milk and the third most abundant mineral based on percentage of total body weight. The sulfur-containing amino acids (SAAs) are

  • methionine,
  • cysteine,
  • cystine,
  • homocysteine,
  • homocystine, and
  • taurine.

Dietary SAA analysis and protein supplementation may be indicated for vegan athletes, children, or patients with HIV, because of an increased risk for SAA deficiency in these groups. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a volatile component in the sulfur cycle, is another source of sulfur found in the human diet.
Increases in serum sulfate may explain some of the therapeutic effects of

  • MSM,
  • DMSO, and
  • glucosamine sulfate.

Organic sulfur, as SAAs, can be used to increase synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine

  • (SAMe),
  • glutathione (GSH),
  • taurine, and
  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC).

MSM may be effective for the treatment of allergy, pain syndromes, athletic injuries, and bladder disorders.

Other sulfur compounds such as SAMe, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), taurine, glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate, and reduced glutathione may also have clinical applications in the treatment of a number of conditions such as

  • depression,
  • fibromyalgia,
  • arthritis,
  • interstitial cystitis,
  • athletic injuries,
  • congestive heart failure,
  • diabetes,
  • cancer, and
  • AIDS.

Dosages, mechanisms of action, and rationales for use are discussed.
The low toxicological profiles of these sulfur compounds, combined with promising therapeutic effects, warrant continued human clinical trails.

PMID: 11896744

PDF is attached at the bottom of this page

Interesting to note the medicinal benefits of hot sulfur springs have been recognized since before the Romans
Cures include skin conditions, asthma and arthritis.

Cited in Google Scholar 259 times as of Dec 2016 - Examples

Sulfur and sulfur nanoparticles as potential antimicrobials: from traditional medicine to nanomedicine
Investigation into factors influencing antioxidant capacity of vinegars
Antioxidant activity of sulfur and selenium:
Randomised, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study of oral glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane and their combination in osteoarthritis


See also VitaminDWiki

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Attached files

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2028 Sulfur in human nutritition - 2002.pdf admin 29 Jan, 2013 151.96 Kb 2354