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Why does the body need sulfur?
Last reviewed: 10.08.2022
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Sulfur, the sixteenth most common element in the universe, has been known since ancient times. Somewhere around 1777, the Frenchman Antoine Lavoisier, the founder of modern chemistry, was convinced, unlike the rest of the scientific community, that sulfur is a chemical element. Sulfur is a component of many common minerals, such as galena, gypsum and others. Why sulfur is a human body?
What is sulfur?
Sulfur is a natural mineral that occurs mainly near hot springs and volcanic craters. It has a pronounced smell of "rotten egg", caused by the smell of sulfur dioxide, which is in contact with oxygen. In addition, sulfur is available in two forms: dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). About 15% of dimethylsulfoxide decomposes in the body to the state of methylsulfonylmethane. Both forms of sulfur are good for treating any kind of pain.
Sulfur is found naturally in some plants, such as horsetail, fruits and vegetables, some grains and milk. Sulfur plays an important role in the health of joints and helps the health of connective tissue - cartilage, tendons and ligaments. It can also slow the nerve impulses that transmit pain signals, reducing pain.
Industrial sulfur
Sulfur is a by-product of chemical paper production and is used as an industrial solvent, as well as for medicine. Sulfur is also used in creams and is taken internally with pain. Unlike the first form of sulfur - MSM, its second form - DMSO - is absorbed through the skin.
Never use an industrial form of sulfur as an adjunct to medications, as it may contain hazardous impurities. You should talk to your doctor before taking sulfur either internally or externally.
Mud baths with sulfur
Mud baths containing sulfur - this method is often called balneotherapy - can help in the treatment of skin diseases and arthritis. Balneotherapy is one of the oldest forms of pain treatment for people with arthritis. The term "balneotherapy" comes from the Latin word and means soaking in thermal or mineral water. Some people claim that these baths are useful for allergies and respiratory diseases, but there is no scientific evidence for this.
People also use sulfuric products for the skin to treat acne and other skin diseases.
Many - but not all - studies show that there may be a link between sulfur gases that are released into the environment and worsening allergies and respiratory diseases, in particular asthma.
Skin diseases
Sulfur applications and other types of sulfuric compresses are applied to the skin to help in the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, dandruff, folliculitis (infected hair follicles), warts, and multicolored lichen is a chronic skin disease characterized by areas different in color from normal skin tone .
Arthritis
Balneotherapy - well-planned studies, most of which are conducted in Israel, show that balneotherapy can help in the treatment of various types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis. People who took sulfur baths and used other treatments less experienced morning stiffness, had better walking ability, decreased inflammation, swelling and joint pain, especially in the neck and back.
Mud therapy and Dead Sea salts dissolved in a conventional bath also improved the symptoms of arthritis, but not as effectively as resting on the Dead Sea.
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Studies have shown that 2600 mg of sulfur per day for 30 days can reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies. But more and more research is needed to see for sure whether there is a real effect from sulfur.
Shingles
One form of sulfur, dimethylsulfoxide, has been proposed as a treatment to reduce pain and inflammation in herpes zoster (herpes zoster). Some evidence suggests that sulfur can actually reduce the amount of damage and inflammation, but more research is needed to accurately understand this fact.
Interstitial cystitis
Doctors also believe that dimethyl sulfoxide is good for the treatment of interstitial cystitis, chronic inflammation of the bladder, which leads to frequent nighttime urination, as well as pain. When sulfur in the form of dimethylsulfoxide is used to treat interstitial cystitis, the doctor injects its liquid solution directly into the bladder.
General anesthesia may be necessary, as the procedure can be painful and can cause bladder spasms.
Amyloidosis
Several studies may lead us to suggest that sulfur, which is used in creams or orally, can help in the treatment of amyloidosis, a condition in which a protein accumulates in organs and damages them. However, since this happens rarely, there is no scientific research on the effect of sulfur on amyloidosis. Use sulfur in creams only under medical supervision.
[9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15]
Food sources of sulfur
Sulfur is found in protein-rich foods, such as eggs, meat, poultry, fish and legumes. Other good sources of sulfur include garlic, onions, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, cabbage and wheat germ.
Below is information on the sulfur content of some products:
| Product | Content, mg / 100 g |
|---|---|
| Pork | 220 |
| Beef | 230 |
| Fish - horse mackerel | 210 |
| Fish - sea bass | 210 |
| Cod fish | 202 |
| Fish - chum | 205 |
| Chickens-broilers | 180 |
| Soup chickens | 184 |
| Eggs of chickens | 177 |
| Dairy | 28 |
| Ice cream | 37 |
| Cheese Dutch | 25 |
Sulfur for children
There is no data on the effect of sulfur on children's bodies
Sulfur for adults
There are no recommended doses of sulfur that need to be included in the diet, since most people get this mineral in a full dose from their diet.
Arthritis. Studies have shown that sulfur doses taken internally with this disease are 500-3000 mg of MSM per day, or a dose of cream or gel with 25% DMSO topically applied 1-3 times a day
Hay fever. In one study, 2600 mg per day was used in this disease.
Amyloidosis. Oral doses of sulfur in this disease are 7-15 g DMSO per day, or topical doses 50-100% DMSO, which is applied 2 times a week.
Precautions during the reception of sulfur
Because of possible side effects and interactions with drugs, you should take drugs with sulfur only under the supervision of an educated physician.
Researchers believe that one form of sulfur - MSM - is safe. However, you should talk to your doctor before taking large doses of this or any other drug.
Do not take the form of sulfur - DMSO - internally without the supervision of a doctor. Side effects of taking DMSO internally include headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. Used topically, DMSO can cause skin irritation.
If you have diabetes, asthma, or liver, kidney or heart disease, do not use sulfur in the form of DMSO. Never take sulfur in the form of industrial grade DMSO.
DMSO - a form of sulfur - should not be used by pregnant and lactating women.
Interesting facts about sulfur
Sulfur is almost 3% of the Earth's mass. If you think that this is not so much, next time you look at the sky and see the moon, think about it: the earth contains enough sulfur to contain not one moon but two!
Pure sulfur does not smell, but many of its compounds are very ugly! For example, sulfur compounds enable the skunks to demonstrate their terrible smell. Rotten eggs (and most of the malodorous bombs) smell so thanks to the smell of hydrogen sulfide, H 2 S.
Much more sulfur in the core of the Earth than in its crust is about 100 times greater.
Penicillin is a naturally occurring antibiotic based on sulfur.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Why does the body need sulfur?" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.