Sulfur

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Sulfur is a mineral that has very well expressed acid-forming functions. Hardly most of the sports people have thought about how exactly this mineral affects the sports form and achievements. Of all the major minerals, sulfur is the least discussed, but at the same time very important. Sulfur is the main mineral of beauty.

Sulfur is considered to be the eighth or ninth most abundant mineral in the body. It is found in almost all cells, but is in particularly high concentrations in hair, nails, skin and joints. Proper sulfur intake is of great importance for acquiring beautiful and shiny hair and skin.

Sulfur functions

Sulfur is the main component of the connected tissues. One of them is collagen - it is found not only in related tissues, but also in the skin, bones and teeth. Sulfur-rich collagen is the most common protein in the body. And as we all know, collagen retains moisture in the cells and gives elasticity to the tissues.

Sulfur is also contained in keratin - a protein that makes up 98% of the nail structure. Sulfur, in the form of keratin, is also found in the skin, hair and tooth enamel. It gives these fabrics both greater resilience and more flexibility.

There are several main actions of sulfur. In the first place it participates in the chemical structure of the molecules of amino acids - cysteine, homocysteine, taurine and methionine.

Benefits of sulfur

Sulfur disinfects the blood, and by binding to heavy metals has a well-defined detoxifying effect. This makes it a very powerful tool in the fight against inflamed joints, tendons and muscles - the scourge of any active athlete.

Sulfur is also involved in the structure of the important substance for tendons and joints - chondroitin sulfate. It supports the oxidation reactions by including coenzyme A in the structure.

Sulfur improves the activity of the immune system, which is extremely valuable for people, but especially for active athletes and professional athletes, because they have a specifically reduced immunity and are relatively susceptible to skin infections.

In addition to all the actions, the mineral strengthens the protein structure of the hair and is used as an anti-baldness agent.

Sulfur is known in two main varieties - synthetic / sulfates and sulfites /, whose intake is extremely harmful to the body and organic - as methylsulfonylmethane / MSM /, which the body needs.

Daily dose of sulfur

Doses are highly dependent on the substance that is the supplier of sulfur for the body. The optimal recommended dose of MSM is 1000 to 4000 mg daily for moderately athletic adults. Doses for professional athletes increase sharply and can reach 8000 mg without the risk of toxicity.

Sulfur deficiency

It is believed that the lack of sulfur is the direct culprit for the occurrence of some serious clinical conditions, but there is still no conclusive evidence for this. However, given the important role of sulfur in maintaining a number of functions, it is believed that in its deficiency the body can not create quality and healthy cells.

This leads to problems such as hair loss, loss of elasticity of the skin and walls of the arteries, the appearance of wrinkles, joint problems, varicose veins, scarring and impaired immune response.

Sulfur overdose

Adverse effects are observed when taking inorganic sulfurbecause it is toxic. Overdose or side effects with large amounts of MSM are not observed, even after taking 20 g per kilogram of body weight, for up to one month. However, it is recommended not to exceed the indicated doses.

Sources of sulfur

One of the best sources of sulfur is egg yolk. Large amounts of this mineral are also found in garlic, onions, Brussels sprouts and raspberries, wheat germ, dried beans, cabbage, fish, soy and turnips. Apart from food, sulfur can also be obtained from various additives. The most common method of taking sulfur is in the form of complex mineral preparations that contain optimal doses of minerals.