Are You Getting Enough Sulfur in Your Diet

As stated in the featured research, only two of the 20 amino acids normally present in foods contain sulfur: Methionine, which cannot be synthesized by your body and must be supplied through diet, and Cysteine, which is synthesized by your body but requires a steady supply of dietary sulfur in order to do so Neither of these are stored in your body. Rather, "any dietary excess is readily oxidized to sulphate, excreted in the urine (or reabsorbed depending on dietary levels) or stored in the form of glutathione (GSH)," according to the researchers. (Glutathione is comprised of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamate, and glycine, and is your body's most potent antioxidant, which also keeps all other antioxidants performing at peak levels.) Furthermore: "The availability of cysteine appears to be the rate limiting factor for synthesis of glutathione (GSH). GSH values are subnormal in a large number of wasting diseases and following certain medications leading frequently to poor survival. By supplying sulfur amino acids (SAA) many of these changes can be reversed. In the brain, which is usually the most spared organ during nutrient deficiencies, GSH concentration declines in order to maintain adequate levels of cysteine. This loss of GSH impairs antioxidant defences... Cartilage, less essential for survival, may not fare well under conditions of sulfur deprivation, explaining why dietary supplements containing sulfur (chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate, MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), etc.) may be of benefit in the treatment of joint diseases." In conclusion, they state that: "Out of this study came information that suggested that a significant proportion of the population that included disproportionally the aged, may not be receiving sufficient sulfur and that these dietary supplements, were very likely exhibiting their pharmacological actions by supplying inorganic sulfur." Dietary Sources of Sulfur The best and most ideal way to obtain sulfur is through your diet. Sulfur is derived almost exclusively from dietary protein, such as fish and high-quality (organic and/or grass-fed/pastured) beef and poultry. Meat and fish are considered "complete" as they contain all the sulfur-containing amino acids you need to produce new protein. Needless to say, those who abstain from animal protein are placing themselves at far greater risk of sulfur deficiency. Other dietary sources that contain small amounts of sulfur include: Organic pastured eggs Legumes Garlic Onion Brussel sprouts Asparagus Kale Wheat germ MSM, an Organic Form of Sulfur Methylsulfonylmethane, commonly known by its acronym, MSM, is not a drug. It's an organic form of sulfur and a potent antioxidant, naturally found in many plants. While MSM is an important source of organic sulfur, it also has other unique properties. Common health complaints associated with low concentrations of MSM in your body include: Fatigue Depression High sensitivity to physical and psychological stress Degenerative diseases MSM's ability to neutralize inflammation is one of the greatest, and one of the most inexpensive, discoveries in the health field, and is thought to be particularly beneficial in the prevention of heart disease. It has been shown to break down the plaque in your arteries, which is associated with chronic inflammation. Other health benefits associated with MSM include: Reducing chronic pain Improving cellular uptake of many nutrients including vitamins A, B, C, D, E, amino acids, selenium, calcium, magnesium, coenzyme Q10 Preventing cancer Reducing or eliminating muscle soreness and cramps Detoxification Alleviating symptoms of allergies Anti-parasitic action against Giardia, Trichomonas, roundworms, nematodes, Enterobius and other intestinal worms Improving lung function by allowing your body to more effectively take up oxygen Preventing neurological disease by repairing oxidative damage and restoring cell membrane elasticity and permeability Preventing and reducing symptoms of autoimmune diseases by fighting chronic inflammation Preventing diabetes by promoting healthy insulin function Increasing strength and endurance, and reducing stress Sources of MSM, and Dosages MSM can be found in: Raw grass-fed milk Fresh vegetables, and Fruits The amounts of sulfur you can obtain from these sources range between one to five mg/kg. Raw pastured milk contains the highest amounts of MSM: between two to five mg/kg. However, it's important to know that MSM is rapidly lost during heating, so pasteurized milk is not a good source. It contains less than 0.25 mg/kg MSM… Ditto for thoroughly cooked vegetables, and fruits and vegetables kept for a period of time. Hence, you'll want to consume most of your veggies raw as soon as possible after harvesting. If you eat a diet consisting primarily of processed and thoroughly cooked foods, you can be virtually guaranteed that you're not getting sufficient amounts of sulfur in your diet. MSM is also highly concentrated in aloe vera, so you can use natural aloe vera products to increase your intake of MSM in its natural form. Another alternative is to take MSM as a dietary supplement. In a previous interview, superfood expert David Wolfe recommended taking about 2,500 mg per day to start; slowly working your way up to about 5,000 to 7,500 mg per day. Keep in mind that there may be side effects because MSM can detoxify you, and that may initially aggravate any condition you have. So increase dosage slowly to allow your body to adjust. Avoid increasing the dose until all detox symptoms have disappeared. Also, avoid taking it at night, as it may increase your energy levels. As with most supplements, quality is a concern when it comes to MSM as well. It's important to note that if you're allergic to sulfa drugs, you may also have trouble with MSM. Aside from that, MSM is extremely non-toxic. So far no one has found an upper limit at which point it causes toxic effects. This fact makes it an ideal form of sulfur supplementation, as the sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cysteine can both cause toxic symptoms at large doses.