Ubiquitous Sulfur

Although there is no Recommended Dietary Allowance for sulfur, deficiencies are associated with degenerative arthritis and joint disease,¹ gastrointestinal problems,² brittle hair and nails, and slow wound healing. Nails are 98 percent keratin, which is high in sulfur content. Hair is high in sulfurous cysteine. The skin epidermis contains keratin as well as collagen. In fact, because sulfur deficiencies are implicated in acne, the FDA has approved sulfur as a safe and effective acne treatment.

References

1. Lawrence RM. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): a double-blind study of its use in degenerative arthritis. Int J of Anti-Aging Med 1998 July;1(1):50.

2. Fries JF, et al. Toward an epidemiology of gastropathy associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. Gastroenterology 1989;96:647-55.