|
Sulfur - The 4th
Most Abundant Mineral in the Human Body
Are You
Sulfur Deficient?
Did you
know that Sulfur (Sulphur) is the 4th most abundant
mineral in the human body? A form of sulfur we can use
is methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM).
Sulfur is present in the human body at about 140g,
mainly in the proteins but there is some in all cells,
tissues and joints. Much Sulfur (maybe half) is found in
skin, hair and nails. Sulfur
is also found in four amino acids,
methionine, cystine, cysteine and
taurine. Cystine and cysteine can both
be made from methionine and taurine.
Methionine (an essential amino acid) must be
available from the food we eat as we cannot make it in
our bodies. Amino acids are the building blocks of
proteins, hence the need for a bioavailable (absorbable)
form of Sulfur like MSM.
There are lots of different types of proteins in the
body, not only in muscles, some of the others are:
transport proteins, enzymes, insulin and
heparin, an anticoagulant. Taurine is found
in bile acids, and the sulfur containing amino acids
help form other necessary substances such as biotin,
coenzyme A, lipoic acid and glutathione.
Sulfur is needed to help the cells use oxygen in energy
production, thus helping brain function and all cell
activity and it is needed for the immune system because
antibodies have several di-sulfide bonds.
Sulfur (in the form of MSM)
is called the forgotten mineral by several prominent
researchers, and Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D. says that
organic sulfur or what we know as methyl sulfonyl
methane (MSM) is the
kind our bodies can use and absorb. He wrote the booklet
"The MSM Miracle" in
1997 (I bought mine from Amazon) in which he states that
the reason for writing it is to change its undervalued
status by “turning the spotlight on sulfur.”
In the 1800’s Grandma’s “spring tonic” consisted of
sulfur and molasses, our more mature readers will
perhaps remember it, and younger ones can ask their
older family members. It was highly valued to promote
wellness and improve skin, hair and nails.
MSM was not known
then, but Sulfur was known as the “beauty mineral.”
Sulfur is absorbed in the small intestine and is
necessary for collagen production (connective tissues,
muscles etc), it is a part of antibodies (immune
system), bile production and cell energy production
(cellular level, very basic).
MSM could be the modern
version of this age old remedy!
MSM and
Animals
MSM also works
extremely well for Animals. Cats, Dogs, Horses etc.
Animals also suffer a lot of the same complaints we
suffer from. Animals Suffering from Arthritis, Inflamed
joints, Back Pain etc all can benefit from taking
MSM. Its also been
found that horse studs using
MSM on both the mare and the stallion get
much better success rates when breeding. Success rates
have risen drastically. Race Horses recover faster
after heavy training or a race. It works on all
animals that are mammals large and small.
John
Metcalf, DVM, a well-known equine practitioner, started
his evaluation of MSM
to treat a variety of illnesses in horses, including
chronic muscle soreness, epiphysis's, acute laminitis,
pleuritis, recurring digestive tract disorder and
arthritis. He had good success where other more
traditional treatments were not as effective.
Where can
we find dietary Sulfur?
Dietary
Sulfur can be found in protein foods, particularly
eggs. It's also found in smaller amounts in garlic,
onions, very fresh green vegetables and turnips, nuts
and some fruits. The problem is that bioavailable Sulfur
(like MSM) is very
water soluble and can be lost in storage, washing and
cooking. The practice of spraying water on the green
vegetables in the shops may possibly deplete water
soluble nutrients before we even take the vegetables
home! Sulfur is found in two of the B vitamins,
thiamine and biotin, thiamine being
important to skin, insulin and carbohydrate metabolism,
and biotin is important for hair. Sulfur
deficiency may be more common when foods are grown in
sulfur deficient soils. When people are on low protein
diets (or low in stomach acids to process proteins) and
when there is a lack of the right kind of intestinal
bacteria to finish the digestion process. Our soils are
deficient in lots of minerals! Some people have even
sprinkled MSM on
their vegetable patch to ensure the plants get enough.
History: for centuries, Arthritis pain sufferers have
bathed in sulfur rich springs, used oral sulfur as
sulfates, and eaten eggs, fresh raw garlic and onions
with the hope that they would help. Reference: “Staying
Healthy with Nutrition” Elson M. Haas, M.D.
Sulfur deficiencies can be associated with:
Slow wound healing, Scar tissue, Brittle nails, Brittle
hair, Gastrointestinal problems, Inflammation, Lung
dysfunction, Immune dysfunction, Arthritis, Allergies,
Acne and other Skin conditions.
Supplementing with MSM
assures an adequate supply of easily absorbable
organic Sulfur for the body to use.
Animals
know what is good for them - if they need
MSM they take it
readily, in their drinking water or in their food.
MSM can be lacking in
your pets diet. Horses of all types recover faster after
a workout or race when they are given
MSM daily. Like cats and dogs horses are
mammals.
Scientists
around the world have investigated the possible benefits
of MSM in treating
Arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, inflammatory diseases
(most of the degenerative diseases involve
inflammation), allergies, asthma, dermatological
problems, periodontal conditions etc... |
