The Healing Power of Sulfur and How to Harness It
Supplements, diet tips, and more
Sulfur is an amazing element.
It is also one of the more under-appreciated, because, from what I have seen, no one in the functional and integrative medical worlds has put much thought into how to use it.
I have been using it extensively in my practice for two years now, and I can tell you that it is one of my favorite tools.
What do you need to know about sulfur?
It's an element.
It's got a ton of electrons and it can donate these any which way it likes.
It is particularly good at binding heavy metals as a chelating agent (almost all chelation agents contain sulfur).
Sulfur is essential for detoxification of the body, because it is essential for production of glutathione, and, by extension, the entire methylation cycle of life.
I've probably forgotten a few of the key things that sulfur does in our bodies, but you get the idea. Sulfur is a critical element for life. Ignoring it is one of the worst mistakes I think people can make for their health.
What's the most important thing to do when it comes to sulfur?
The first thing is to make sure you can tolerate it.
I ran into an interesting book called, "The Devil in the Garlic," a few years ago. I heard part of the author's talk at the Wise Traditions Conference in 2022, in Knoxville. One of the most intriguing things he noted in the presentation was the role of trace elements in sulfur metabolism. Would it surprise you to learn that they are essential for sulfur metabolism?
Do you think maybe that's why I balance people's minerals BEFORE I start talking to them about sulfur?
Yes. That's also why, if you look at the foods in nature that are rich in sulfur, you'll also find that they tend to be rich in trace elements and B-vitamins that are necessary to metabolize sulfur.
What foods are high in sulfur?
Animal products that are high in sulfur-containing amino acids (certain meats and dairy products)
Cruciferous vegetables
Garlic
Onions (and shallots, leeks, and scallions)
If you have problems tolerating these foods, you might have problems with your sulfur metabolism. Check out, "The Devil in the Garlic."
Most people do not have a problem tolerating sulfur. If anything, they need more of it.
How do we give people more sulfur?
Always start with diet. This is why I created a protocol to boost glutathione.
Before you worry about how much sulfur you're taking in, you've got to optimize your dietary intake. Many people are not taking in optimal amounts of sulfur-rich vegetables and animal products. This is why the Paleolithic or Ancestral Health movements (or whatever you want to call them) had such a profound impact in the health and wellness space since the turn of the century (I feel old writing those words).
If you're eating sulfur-rich foods two to three times each day, you're likely meeting your fundamental needs for sulfur.
But are you harnessing the power of that sulfur?
Would I surprise you to learn that light and EMF modulate sulfur metabolism? This is why I'm such a believer in light therapy, sauna, sunlight, UV-B light, and EMF-avoidance and mitigation.
This is why I wrote my Guide to Healthy Living, where I link to all of these topics. Tackle them one at a time, but make a plan to tackle them.
I believe this is why we see profound detoxification reactions with phototherapy. Join my phototherapy course to learn more about phototherapy and how it can help you. We're planning on weekly Q&A's at 8 PM every Wednesday through the summer.
Would it surprise you if I told you that many of the ingredients in Dr. Stillman's Detox Powder are known to boost glutathione, perhaps the most important sulfur-containing compound in our bodies?
Beyond diet and lifestyle changes, there are some exciting protocols we can use to optimize sulfur metabolism to optimize our health.
These secrets are for premium subscribers. I'll be covering:
Glutathione supplements - do you even need them?
Sulfur supplements that I use in my practice
Perils and pitfalls of sulfur supplementation
Upgrade today and find out how I tackle sulfur supplementation in my practice.
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