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Thursday, November 29, 2012

Today's kids are likely low on Sulfur


Sulfur is the third most abundant mineral in your body, after calcium and phosphorous. It's an important mineral element that you get almost wholly through dietary proteins.
Close to half of the sulfur in your body can be found in your muscles, skin and bones, but it does much more than benefit just these three areas. It plays important roles in many bodily systems.
Sulfur bonds are required for proteins to maintain their shape, and these bonds determine the biological activity of the proteins. For example, hair and nails consists of a tough protein called keratin, which is high in sulfur, whereas connective tissue and cartilage contain proteins with flexible sulfur bonds, giving the structure its flexibility. With age, the flexible tissues in your body tend to lose their elasticity, leading to sagging and wrinkling of skin, stiff muscles and painful joints.

The best and most ideal way to obtain sulfur is through your diet. Sulfur is derived almost exclusively from dietary protein, such as fish and high-quality (organic and/or grass-fed/pastured) beef and poultry. Meat and fish are considered "complete" as they contain all the sulfur-containing amino acids you need to produce new protein. Needless to say those who abstain from animal protein are placing themselves at far greater risk of sulfur deficiency. Other dietary sources that contain small amounts of sulfur include:
Organic pastured eggs
Legumes
Garlic
Onion
Brussel sprouts
Asparagus
Kale
Wheat germ
You're not too likely to get "twin" chicks with non-organic

Amino acids and sulfur...
Methionine cannot be synthesized by your body and must be supplied through diet, and cysteine is synthesized by your body but requires a steady supply of dietary sulfur in order to do so. It is found in egg whites, red pepper or garlic. Several clinical studies have found that NAC is highly effective against chronic sinusitis and bronchitis. It thins out mucus, draining it out of sinuses and the lungs. NAC protects your cells through its antioxidant activity. Cysteine also contributes to the production of glutathione. Glutathione is comprised of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamate, and glycine, and is a potent antioxidant. It keeps all other antioxidants performing at peak levels. The herb milk thistle is an excellent source of the antioxidant compound silymarin, which may help to prevent glutathione depletion in the liver. Glutathione is crucial in the liver for detoxification and can become depleted from acetaminophen (Tylenol), alcohol consumption, sugar and general toxic overload.
More on chicken broth: