Medical Uses For Sulfur
The discovery of sulfur predates recorded history, and the
element has been used since ancient times. The early medical books of
Dioscorides and Pliny mention Sulfur, and fumes from burning sulfur
were used in religious ceremonies and for fumigation. Alchemists
recognized sulfur as a mineral substance that can be melted and burned.
Sulfur is used to treat many kinds of skin disorders. Sulfur cream,
lotion, ointment, and bar soap are used to treat acne. Sulfur ointment
is used to treat seborrheic dermatitis and scabies. Sulfur may also be
used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Alcohol and sulfur combination is used in the treatment of acne and
oily skin. Some of the products are tinted a flesh color and can be
used as a makeup or cover-up.
Benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur are the
most common topical OTC medications used to treat acne. Each works a
little differently. Benzoyl peroxide is best at killing
Propionibacterium acnes and may reduce oil production. Resorcinol,
salicylic acid, and sulfur help break down blackheads and whiteheads.
Salicylic acid also helps cut down the shedding of cells lining the
follicles of the oil glands. Topical OTC medications are available in
many forms, such as gel, lotion, cream, soap, or pad.
Data from three studies of HIV-infected patients show that these
patients lose a massive amount of sulfur. The loss can be
life-threatening and may contribute to the wasting process.
Dr. Raoul Breitkreutz from Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, in
Heidelberg, and colleagues conducted the studies in Germany. They
determined that the mean sulfur loss was about 10 g per day, equivalent
to "an alarming negative balance of approximately 2 kg of cysteine per
year," as they report in the February 10th issue of AIDS Research and
Human Retroviruses.
The researchers also determined that patients with HIV do not
produce more sulfur than normal, so that the loss of sulfur could not
be accounted for by excess production. Highly active antiretroviral
therapy did not affect this loss.
"The accumulating consequences of a steady loss of sulfur may
eventually give rise to the wasting process," Dr. Breitkreutz's team
speculates. "It is reasonable to assume that this massive loss of
sulfur must lead to a life-threatening condition sooner or later."
Known Hazards: Most people, though not all, are able to
process it, but when sulfur is used to create sulfites, many experience
adverse reactions.
Several years ago a consumer advocacy organization alerted the
public to the potential hazard from salad bars where the food had been
treated with sulfiting agents. The most vulnerable people appeared to
be asthmatics, and it was a shock for many to learn that some of the
medicines being prescribed for asthmatics were actually preserved with
sulfites.
As a result of the negative publicity, restaurant owners and
supermarket managers discontinued the practice of treating the foods
generally found in salad bars with this preservative, but sulfites are
still used in other foods. Those most likely to contain sulfur-based
preservatives include grapes, wine, potatoes, and dried fruits.
Sulfur-containing drugs are also a common source of exposure.
The Food and Drug administration believes that 19 deaths have been
the result of a reaction to sulfites, and while the agency requires
labeling if the food contains more than 10 parts per million of the
preservative, and has encouraged manufacturers to use safer
alternatives, they have not taken action to remove or restrict sulfites.
The Feingold Association (FAUS) has received reports from some
members that sulfur-based additives have been found to trigger various
reactions in adults and children. These include life-threatening
respiratory distress, hives, sleep apnea, and behavioral reactions,
including temper tantrums. Some asthmatics are very sensitive to the
sulfur-based preservatives.
If you want to avoid sulfur-based preservatives, these are the names to watch for:
See also: Supplements/Methylsulfonylmethane.html"> Methylsulfonylmethane
The discovery of sulfur predates recorded history, and the
element has been used since ancient times. The early medical books of
Dioscorides and Pliny mention Sulfur, and fumes from burning sulfur
were used in religious ceremonies and for fumigation. Alchemists
recognized sulfur as a mineral substance that can be melted and burned.
Sulfur is used to treat many kinds of skin disorders. Sulfur cream,
lotion, ointment, and bar soap are used to treat acne. Sulfur ointment
is used to treat seborrheic dermatitis and scabies. Sulfur may also be
used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Alcohol and sulfur combination is used in the treatment of acne and
oily skin. Some of the products are tinted a flesh color and can be
used as a makeup or cover-up.
Benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur are the
most common topical OTC medications used to treat acne. Each works a
little differently. Benzoyl peroxide is best at killing
Propionibacterium acnes and may reduce oil production. Resorcinol,
salicylic acid, and sulfur help break down blackheads and whiteheads.
Salicylic acid also helps cut down the shedding of cells lining the
follicles of the oil glands. Topical OTC medications are available in
many forms, such as gel, lotion, cream, soap, or pad.
Data from three studies of HIV-infected patients show that these
patients lose a massive amount of sulfur. The loss can be
life-threatening and may contribute to the wasting process.
Dr. Raoul Breitkreutz from Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, in
Heidelberg, and colleagues conducted the studies in Germany. They
determined that the mean sulfur loss was about 10 g per day, equivalent
to "an alarming negative balance of approximately 2 kg of cysteine per
year," as they report in the February 10th issue of AIDS Research and
Human Retroviruses.
The researchers also determined that patients with HIV do not
produce more sulfur than normal, so that the loss of sulfur could not
be accounted for by excess production. Highly active antiretroviral
therapy did not affect this loss.
"The accumulating consequences of a steady loss of sulfur may
eventually give rise to the wasting process," Dr. Breitkreutz's team
speculates. "It is reasonable to assume that this massive loss of
sulfur must lead to a life-threatening condition sooner or later."
Known Hazards: Most people, though not all, are able to
process it, but when sulfur is used to create sulfites, many experience
adverse reactions.
Several years ago a consumer advocacy organization alerted the
public to the potential hazard from salad bars where the food had been
treated with sulfiting agents. The most vulnerable people appeared to
be asthmatics, and it was a shock for many to learn that some of the
medicines being prescribed for asthmatics were actually preserved with
sulfites.
As a result of the negative publicity, restaurant owners and
supermarket managers discontinued the practice of treating the foods
generally found in salad bars with this preservative, but sulfites are
still used in other foods. Those most likely to contain sulfur-based
preservatives include grapes, wine, potatoes, and dried fruits.
Sulfur-containing drugs are also a common source of exposure.
The Food and Drug administration believes that 19 deaths have been
the result of a reaction to sulfites, and while the agency requires
labeling if the food contains more than 10 parts per million of the
preservative, and has encouraged manufacturers to use safer
alternatives, they have not taken action to remove or restrict sulfites.
The Feingold Association (FAUS) has received reports from some
members that sulfur-based additives have been found to trigger various
reactions in adults and children. These include life-threatening
respiratory distress, hives, sleep apnea, and behavioral reactions,
including temper tantrums. Some asthmatics are very sensitive to the
sulfur-based preservatives.
If you want to avoid sulfur-based preservatives, these are the names to watch for:
- Sulfur Dioxide
- Sodium Sulfite
- Sodium Bisulfite
- Sodium Metabisulfite
- Potassium Bisulfite
- Potassium Metabisulfite
See also: Supplements/Methylsulfonylmethane.html"> Methylsulfonylmethane
- Sulfur. U.S. National Library of Medicine, Medline
- HIV infection results in a massive loss of sulfur. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2000;16:203-209.
- Sulfur and Sulfites. PURE FACTS: Adapted from Dec/Jan 1996,Vol.19, No.10
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