Functions in the body
ORGANIC sulfur (and NOT sulphates or sulphites) is an essential component of the human organism;
Overall, about 140g of sulfur is contained in the body of an adult, distributed between:
From a STRUCTURAL point of view, sulfur is an essential microelement for the construction of connective tissue and mucopolysaccharides, but a small part is also contained in bile acids.
Sulfur in Food and Needs
Foods carrying organic sulfur are mainly those of animal origin, which provide a good amount of proteins containing sulfur amino acids, and methylsulfonylmethane. The reference foods are mainly eggs, meat, fish and cheeses. In the plant world, the most generous sources of sulfur are represented by garlic, onion and cabbage.
In digestion, food proteins containing sulfur are then denatured and hydrolysed to amino acids (digestion of proteins) subsequently absorbed in the small intestine; the main routes of excretion of circulating organic sulfur are urinary and fecal.
The recommended sulfur requirement is never dealt with individually; it, representing an essential constituent of some amino acids or correlating with the foods that contain them, is often evaluated on the basis of the total protein and amino acid intake.
in a diet characterized by a minimum and indispensable amount of sulfur amino acids, the sulfur supply will be sufficiently guaranteed, reducing the risk of food shortages.
Deficiencies and excesses of dietary sulfur represent more unique than rare cases, however, in the literature it is possible to identify clinical pictures characterized by growth and physical development disorders.
Sulfur supplements
As already specified, sulfur is a microelement naturally present in food proteins and especially in animal proteins. There are several sulfur-based food supplements and a very popular range of products is the one based on glutathione And methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), molecules used for:
- Support of hepatic sulfation processes
- The increase in cellular permeability
- The acceleration of natural hair growth
- The improvement of the synthesis of connective tissue
- The antioxidant action
In the first case, the sulfur-based food supplement acts by facilitating liver detoxification; a striking example is that of the mechanisms linked to the disposal of alcohol or drugs.
In the second case, however, it would be more correct to speak of drugs; in this context, methylsulfonylmethane has proved to be a molecule useful for accelerating the cellular elimination of toxic catabolites, especially at the level of the musculoskeletal system. It is a good remedy in the treatment of joint (arthritic and back) and muscle pains. fibromyalgia, tendinitis and bursitis, carpal tunnel and various inflammations.
The third case is undoubtedly the least reliable; it seems that the regular intake of sulfur-based products allows for faster growth of hair, hair and nails, although it has been established that no supplement can cure or reduce baldness. , and there are no scientific data demonstrating its ergogenic potential on growth.
Finally, it seems to be common opinion that the supplementation of sulfur can improve and optimize the synthesis of collagen thus carrying out a theoretical anti-aging function; from my point of view, it is true that sulfur is a plastic constituent of collagen but it is also true that in a balanced diet it NEVER represents a limiting microelement.
Arguably, the most important function of sulfur-based compounds and supplements is antioxidant and protective from free radicals.
The intake of sulfur-based supplements is generally carried out with capsules of 750-1000 mg of MSM (possibly associated with glutathione) or with products containing a mix of antioxidants.
Sulfur-based supplements do NOT seem to have particular contraindications.
Bibliography:
- The Natural Solution for Pain - Stanley W. Jacob
