Natural sulfur acts as panacea for arthritis, other diseases
by KC Jones, reporter

    Science has recently discovered organic sulfur, which is being touted by many as a panacea.

    MSM, shortened from methylsulfonylmethane, sounds more like another Internet company than the cure-all some claim it to be, but many people swear taking it has made a difference in their bodies.

    Sulfur has been used therapeutically since ancient times for alleviating disorders of the skin, mucous membrane and intestinal tract. Natural sulfur mineral baths have been used to relieve chronic rheumatism, muscle pain and joint pain and to make the skin feel soft.

    MSM, a natural sulfur compound found in the body, is a constituent of protein. The body uses it to stimulate the growth of skin, hair and nails.

    Michael, a Garden of Health associate, has seen many products aimed at improving hair, skin and nail health add MSM to their line.

    “When I started taking one of the products containing MSM, my hairdresser noticed that my hair was longer than usual when I went to get my monthly hair cut,” he said.

    Organic sulfur is found in great quantities throughout joints, particularly synovial fluid. The sulfur helps lubricate and hold the cartilage and connective tissues together.

    Many athletes believe MSM will improve their performance and relieve certain injuries. It has been reported to relieve arthritis pain by helping to replace connective tissues and promote healthy joint function.

    Actor James Coburn suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, as do nearly five million other Americans.

    But the 70-year-old actor says MSM helps ease the pain. Coburn first found out about MSM from Dr. Donald Lawrence, one of the original medical pioneers in this field. Lawrence believes many people are lacking the proper amount of sulfur to let the body heal itself.

    “The MSM supplies sulfur. That's one of its actions. Another of its actions is it produces muscle relaxation,” he said.

    MSM is said to be an anti-venom that can bind up dangerous proteins found in bee stings as well as the bites of snakes, fleas, spiders and mosquitoes.

    Sulfur is needed for amino acid metabolism and hormone synthesis.

    MSM is said to work like essential fatty acids do, making the cell walls permeable allowing nutrients into the cell and toxins out.

    This result would relieve chronic fatigue.

    MSM is present in milk, eggs, fish, fruits, vegetables, grains, lean meats and aloe vera. Many MSM supplements can be found at the health food store.

    The medical uses of inorganic sulfur parallel some of the MSM claims.

    Although toxic, sulfa drugs are among the most important advances in chemotherapy and were discovered through the use of organic sulfur compounds.

    Garlic contains sulfur compounds and has been proven to have distinctive healing properties including anti-viral, anti-bacterial and blood purification.

    Many of the factors contributed to garlic and onions are related to allicin, the primary active ingredient that gives the characteristic odors.

    MSM supplements claim to improve health problems including allergies, asthma, emphysema, arthritis, headaches, Alzhei-mer’s, skin problems, stomach problems, digestive tract problems, ulcers, circulation, diabetes, cell osmosis and absorption.

    Claims include prevention of wrinkles, scar tissue, varicose veins, hardened arteries, sore joints and muscles and damaged lung tissues of emphysema sufferers.

    Many agree the claims are exciting, but better studies and more data are needed. No scientific proof in terms of double-blind, well-controlled studies exist.