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Sulfur is vital to the structure of your cells, enzyme function, liver function, to your metabolism--(carb metabolism, insulin function, cell mitochondria), and a major component to some vital antioxidents such as glutathionine. Also needed to produce taurine. And it's antimicrobial fighting all sorts of fungi, bacteria and virii. Good for you topically and orally.
Sulfur bonds are required for proteins to maintain their shape, and these bonds determine the biological activity of the proteins. Sulfur is also required for the proper structure and biological activity of enzymes. If you don't have sufficient amounts of sulfur in your body the enzymes cannot function properly, which can cascade into a number of health problems as without biologically active enzymes, your metabolic processes cannot function properly.
Sulfur also plays an important role in:
- Your body's electron transport system, as part of iron/sulfur proteins in mitochondria, the energy factories of your cells
- Vitamin-B thiamine (B1) and biotin conversion, which in turn are essential for converting carbohydrates into energy
- Synthesizing important metabolic intermediates, such as glutathione
- Proper insulin function. The insulin molecule consists of two amino acid chains connected to each other by sulfur bridges, without which the insulin cannot perform its biological activity
- Detoxification - by activating detoxifing enzymes in the liver, antimicrobial/fungal
Note: As part of being a vital part of cell structure, it's a major part of the mucin linings in your body, such as the digestive tract damaged by gluten, antibiotics, and NSAIDs.
Sources
Sulfur containing Amino acids Methionine, and Cysteine, (which is synthesized by your body but requires a steady supply of dietary sulfur).
SULFUR PHYTOCHEMICALS - From Allium (garlic, onions, leaks), Brassicas and greens (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, spinach ) tumeric (in curry and mustard) contain unique sulfur-containing phytonutrients, such as indole-3-carbinole (I3C) and sulforaphane.
Sulfur is derived almost exclusively from dietary protein, such as fish and high-quality (organic and/or grass-fed/pastured) beef and poultry. Organic pastured eggs, legumes, nuts, garlic, onion, brassica veggies, kale, spinach, tumeric, dairy, coconut and olive oil, hard water.
Although it's only going to be abundant in those plants if the soil contains sulfur, and our soils are becoming increasingly depleted by our unsustainable, environmentally damaging corporate farming practices. Buy organic. If you grow veggies, add sulfur. Epsom salts is one way.
Topical sources: Hard water, sulfur/hot springs, Magnesium Sulfate aka epsom salts.
See the Green Smoothie thread. Other ways to get your sulfur from onions, garlic and veggies: salads, salsas, chimichurri, pesto and other such raw garlic sauces. Stir fry and curries. Sulfur is somewhat damaged by heat so don't overcook and get some things raw. Chop veggies and let sit before cooking. The chopping crushes cells and gets enzymes working to release nutrients, enzymes that will be destroyed by cooking. For the most benefit, make eggs with a method that doesn't fully cook the yolk - poach, sunny side up or whatever.
Supplements:
N.A.C - Form of cysteine available in supplements
SAMe - Form of methionine available in supplements
MSM - sulfur containing supplement, well known for softening skin. (breaks some people out, myself included)
GLUTATHIONE - important anti-oxident made from Cysteine, Glutamic acid, and Glycine.
General stuff about sulfur-
http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/
http://articles.merc...10917_DNL_art_1
http://www.acne.org/...age__hl__sulfer
Edited by alternativista, 22 September 2011 - 09:42 AM.
