Sulphur, detox and rejuvenation
To effectively excrete toxins, we need minerals to detoxify on a cellular level. One of the most crucial minerals for detoxification is sulphur, the third most abundant and important mineral in our body. The healing powers of sulphur have been used for thousands of years, the earliest application being hot springs and Roman baths. Sulphur has the incredible dual benefit of detoxifying and rejuvenating the system, making it a powerful and essential mineral in any health regimen.
A varied, balanced, wholefood diet is essential for optimal health and detoxification. A healthy diet would not only supply adequate sources of sulphur but also all the co-factor nutrients to aid the detoxification and rejuvenating functions of sulphur.
Animal protein remains the best source of organic sulphur. Methionine is a sulphur-rich amino acid and is mainly found in animal protein. It is an essential amino acid that cannot be synthesised by our body and must therefore be consumed from protein-based sources. Organic, humanely raised pasture and free-range products are ideal, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy.
Good plant sources of sulphur are garlic, onions, leeks, chives, asparagus, and cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, watercress, bok choy, radishes and kale. Note that sulphur from plant sources, unlike animal sources, easily gets destroyed through processing and cooking.
A soothing bath filled with Epsom salts can be a part of your health routine as your body absorbs the sulphur in the salts through your skin.
Here are some amazing benefits of sulphur:
Toxin removal: Sulphur detoxifies environmental chemicals, which have artificially entered our bodies and is particularly beneficial for removing heavy metals from our systems, such as mercury, arsenic, lead and graphene oxide.
Liver support: Sulphur is integral to the detoxification pathways in the liver, removing most toxins through binding to glutathione or inorganic sulphate. Sulphur is therefore, critical to our body’s most essential detoxifying function.
Border patrol: Since sulphur maintains the integrity of cell membranes, it controls the ‘border’ of a cell and determines what comes in and what goes out. Sulphur, is crucial in removing self-generated toxins from our cells, aiding overall detoxification. The sulphur-rich, intact border would also protect us against invading pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, yeasts and parasites, essential for immune regulation.
Enzymes: Sulphur is needed for synthesising and regulating the activity of many important enzymes in our body. This makes sulphur integral for many biological and metabolic processes, such as energy production, insulin function, weight management, heart health, regulation of B vitamins, collagen, glutathione and inorganic sulphate synthesis. Sulphur is essential for the production of thiamine (vitamin B1), which controls the digestion of fatty foods and the breakdown of carbohydrates (linked to obesity). Sulphur also forms part of the synthesis of biotin, a B vitamin that plays a very important role in hair growth and skin health. Additionally, sulphur and B vitamins facilitate the secretion of bile in the liver.
Antioxidant boost: Sulphur is essential for forming glutathione, a master detox molecule and a very powerful antioxidant. Glutathione also optimises the function of other antioxidants in our body. Therefore, sulphur is important for whole-body healing, healthy ageing and maintaining wellness.
Inflammation: Sulphur has amazing anti-inflammatory benefits that relieve inflamed and painful joints and muscles. As an integral part of the border patrol surrounding every cell in the body, sulphur plays a very important role in immune regulation, inflammation and coagulation. Sulphur also aids in the production of prostaglandins, which reduces inflammation.
Rejuvenation: Sulphur is known as nature’s beauty mineral, since it aids in the synthesis of collagen, keeping your skin elastic, beautiful and young looking. Sulphur is also an integral component of healthy bones, tendons, ligaments, hair and nails. Sulphur is used to repair damaged cells and to promote the growth of healthy new cells. This vital mineral brings about vitality and an overall sense of well-being. Your body needs sulphur to build and protect your DNA and protect your cells from damage that can lead to serious diseases.
It is important to be aware of some of the factors that deplete sulphur levels:
- Medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, acetaminophen, steroids, aspirin, hormones, melatonin and chemotherapy
- Alcohol, caffeine and smoking
- Excessive endurance exercise
- High fat, sugar and salt diet
It is, therefore, important to limit these depleting factors, follow a healthy balanced wholefood diet and optimise health through supplement support.
Salvita NAC is a free form sulphur amino acid, with added selenium and molybdenum, which helps to maintain cellular health for healthy liver, digestive, heart, kidney and lung function.