Sulfur Health Topic
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) are sulfur supplements.1 DMSO can relieve muscle and joint pain; reduce inflammation; soften collagen to relieve scleroderma symptoms; help heal skin ulcers caused by diabetes and scleroderma; and may help prevent brain damage after stroke or head injuries. MSM (a compound made from DMSO), has many of the helpful qualities of DMSO, with some distinct advantages: it lacks the distinctive oyster-garlic smell.4
Magnesium sulfate is used for treatment of severe acute asthma, pre-eclampsia, and prevention of cerebral palsey in pre-term infants.11,12,13
Dietary Sources of Sulfur:
High protein foods such as eggs, meat, poultry, fish, and legumes. Other good sources include garlic, onions, brussels sprouts, asparagus, kale, and wheat germ.
Learn More About Sulfur
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Sulfur Overview
Sulfur is a naturally occurring mineral that is found primarily near hot springs and volcanic craters, and in supplemental form as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). DMSO is a chemical byproduct of papermaking and is used as an industrial solvent, as well as for medicinal purposes. Topical DMSO has been proposed as a treatment to relieve pain and inflammation of shingles (herpes zoster) as it may lessen the number of lesions and decrease inflammation. DMSO is approved by the FDA to treat interstitial cystitis (chronic bladder inflammation). DMSO (unlike MSM) is absorbed through the skin and may interact with other medications. About 15% of DMSO breaks down into MSM in the body. MSM is important in joint health and helps form connective tissue (cartilage, tendons, and ligaments). It may also slow the nerve impulses that transmit pain signals, reducing pain. Sulfur-containing mud baths (often called balneotherapy) can help treat skin disorders and arthritis. Sulfur baths, and other forms of sulfur applied to the skin, seem to benefit psoriasis, eczema, dandruff, and other skin conditions, as well as several kinds of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
CONTAINS REFERENCES
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Sulfur-Based Supplement May Fight Arthritis
Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, is a naturally occurring sulfur compound. Research indicates that it decreased pain and improved physical function in patients with knee arthritis.
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The Sulfur Solution
Sulfur is found in every living cell. It's part of the molecules that form the amino acids (protein building blocks) methionine, cysteine, and taurine, which are essential for health. It's a constituent of vitamin B1 and biotin, the antioxidant glutathione, the anticoagulant heparin, and coenzyme A, which drives energy production in cells. Sulfur is an integral part of the biological cement that forms skin, hair, nails, and the cartilage. Sulfur-rich garlic has been used for several millennia to prevent and treat diseases and contains powerful antibacterial substances. Sulfur forms part of the matrix of bone joints in the form of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate.
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MSM DMSO Connection
DMSO is both a prescription drug and an industrial solvent. Much of its medical value from its ability to transport other substances through cell membranes. It is also reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Medical-grade DMSO is safe, and is widely used in medical processes. Thousands of scientific papers have been published about DMSO xxxs chemistry and shown that it can relieve muscle and joint pain; reduce inflammation; soften collagen to relieve scleroderma symptoms; help heal skin ulcers caused by diabetes and scleroderma; and relieve blood vessel constrictions common to Raynaud xxxs phenomenon. Other research has suggested it may help prevent brain damage after stroke or head injuries. And it appears to have few side effects, even at very high dosages. DMSO is approved for use in many other countries for arthritis and related conditions. MSM is a sulfur compound made from DMSO that has many of the helpful qualities of DMSO, with some distinct advantages: it lacks the distinctive oyster-garlic smell.
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The Sulfur-Containing Amino Acids: An Overview
Methionine, cysteine, homocysteine, and taurine are the 4 common sulfur-containing amino acids.
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About the Use of Sulfur in Beauty Products
Sulfur has been a key acne fighter for centuries. It has antibacterial properties, which can help to reduce the amount of blemishes by reducing the bacteria that causes them. Sulfur is an ideal skin exfoliant. It removes dead surface skin cells, Moderate to severe psoriasis scales can be treated with sulfur, since it has dual properties as natural exfoliant and drying agent. It fights current dandruff issues and prevents future outbreaks by controlling the yeast population that triggers dandruff.
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Psoriasis: Sulfur Brine Therapy
140 patients suffering from generalized chronic psoriasis were treated with the help of the natural sulphur resources of St. Peter-Ording over a period of 4 to 6 weeks. In 135 of these cases (96.4%), the skin became well improved.
SCIENTIFIC STUDY
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Cancer Chemoprevention by Garlic and Garlic-Containing Sulfur and Selenium Compounds
The chemical and physical properties of selenium and sulfur are similar. Many epidemiological studies support the protective role of garlic and related allium foods against the development of certain human cancers. Results indicate that structurally distinctive organoselenium compounds are superior to their corresponding sulfur analogs in cancer chemoprevention.
SCIENTIFIC STUDY
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Magnesium Sulfate is Effective for Severe Acute Asthma Treated in the Emergency Department
The use of intravenous magnesium sulfate reduces the rate of hospital admissions and improves pulmonary function in patients with severe acute asthma treated in the emergency department.
SCIENTIFIC STUDY
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Magnesium Sulfate is Used to Treat Pre-Eclampsia, Eclampsia and Preterm Labor
Magnesium Sulfate is effective in preventing convulsions in women who have severe pre-eclampsia and in stopping convulsions in eclamptic women.
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Debate Continues On Administration Of Magnesium Sulfate To Pregnant Women To Prevent Cerebral Palsy In Pre-Term Infants
There is evidence that magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) can reduce the incidence of cerebral palsy for very early preterm infants.
CONTAINS REFERENCES
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The Problem with Mercury
The problem is mercury simply "Loves Sulfur" too much. So much so, that it will compete with other molecules for sulfur and can usually "steal" sulfur out of other molecular structures, in effect killing them. If it can't steal sulfur, mercury will bond to the sulfur atom the best it can. This usually prevents the molecule from performing its function.
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Allergic to Sulfa Drugs: Can You Take Sulfur?
There is a lot of understandable confusion about the difference between sulfa drugs, sulfites, sulfates and sulfur. Sulfur is the chemical element that is found in Sulfa Drugs, Sulfites, and Sulfates. Sulfur is an essential element of life and is found in amino acids and other important molecules in the body. It is IMPOSSIBLE to have a sulfur allergy. You cannot survive without sulfur. When people say that they are allergic to sulfur they mean sulfites (found in red wine) or sulfonamides (sulfa drugs), not sulfur or sulfates.
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