Minerals - Sulphur (S)

Question 1

Sulphur (S)

Answer 1

• Sulphur (S) Is the third most abundant mineral (after calcium and phosphorus) in the body (0.3% of total body mass)
• It has a characteristic smelly odour – ‘burning hair’ (keratin is particularly high in sulphur)
  *

Question 2

Food sources

Answer 2

Amino acids are the main dietary source of sulphur, but there are also many sulphur-based compounds in food

Rich food sources of Sulphur include:
Alliums: E.g. garlic, onions, shallots, leeks, chives
Cruciferous (brassicas): broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, turnips, kale, spring greens, radish
Legumes: Especially soya beans, black beans, kidney, split peas and white beans
Eggs and dairy: Parmesan, Gorgonzola, cheddar
Protein food: Meat, poultry, fish and seafood
Note: Sulforaphane containing foods (E.g. broccoli sprouts) activate gene NRF2, which turns on anti-oxygen potential in cells

Question 3

Functions: Antioxidant

Answer 3

Functions: Antioxidants
* Sulphur is used to create glutathione (he body’s primary endogenous antioxidant)
Therapeutic uses:
* Prevents cell damage from free radicals

Question 4

Functions: Insulin

Answer 4

Functions: Insulin
* Sulphur is needed to produce insulin, which facilitates glucose uptake in cells
Therapeutic uses:
* Blood sugar and lipids management

Question 5

Functions: Structural

Answer 5

Functions: Structural
* Cysteine is a key component of keratin (I.e. skin, hair) and sulphates are used for glycosaminoglycans (a key component of collagen)
Therapeutic uses:
* Support for healthy hair, skin, nails and joints i.e. osteoarthritis

Question 6

Functions: phase II liver detox

Answer 6

Functions: Phase II liver detox
* Sulphation is 1 of the 6 main phase II pathways. This involves adding a sulphate group (e.g. to bacterial endotoxins, environmental toxins like BPA, adrenal and sex hormones).
* Sulphur is also needed to the glutathione conjugation and methylation pathway
* Note: methionine is a precursor to s adenosylmethionine (SAM) – an important antioxidation and methyl donor that fuels methylation pathway of detoxification
Therapeutic uses:
* Toxin and heavy metal removal
* Steroid hormone clearance (e.g. with oestrogen dominance; stress support)
* Liver health

Question 7

Functions

Answer 7

Antioxidant
Insulin
Structural
Phase II liver detoxification

Question 8

Key components in molecules

Answer 8

Sulphur is a key component in important molecules:
o Acetyl CoA: a key molecule for ATP production
o Vitamins: biotin, thiamine – essential B vitamins
o Key antioxidants: glutathione, lipoic acid
o Mineral transporters: metallothionein (a metal-binding protein)
o Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): inhibits cartilage breakdown
o S in is four amino acids: methionine, cystine, cysteine, taurine