Table of Contents
- 1. What are the benefits of organic sulfur?
- 2. Who can take organic Sulfur?
- 3. Why aren’t we getting enough sulfur in our diet?
- 4. When should I start taking organic sulfur?
- 5. How does organic sulfur work?
- 6. What are oxidative stress & inflammation? And how are they related?
- 7. How long do I need to take sulfur before it starts working?
- 8. Why most organic sulfur supplements don't work?
- 9. Is it safe to take organic sulfur if you are currently taking sulfa drugs?
- 10. Is it safe to take organic sulfur if you have an allergy to sulfa drugs or sulfites?
- 11. How to take organic sulfur?
- 12. Why is it important to drink plenty of water while taking organic sulfur?
- 13. Should I take anything else with organic sulfur?
- 14. What are the organic sulfur crystals side effects?
- 15. What if I take too much organic sulfur?
- 16. Which drugs or supplements interact with organic sulfur?
- 17. Is organic sulfur natural or synthetic?
- 18. What are the differences in organic sulfur purification?
- 19. Why is MSM also referred to as organic sulfur?
- 20. Gold standard organic sulfur
1. What are the benefits of organic sulfur?
There are numerous health benefits associated with taking organic sulfur. I have written an article that explains 28 surprisingly impressive ways that organic sulfur can benefit your health. You can check out organic sulfur health benefits for more information.
2. Who can take organic Sulfur?
Just about everyone can take organic sulfur. It can positively benefit a number of health challenges, and when used every day, it can help people who may suffer from the following:
- Arthritis, osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease
- Chronic neck, back, and muscle pain
- Hair issues such as thinning or weak, brittle hair, and grey hair
- Skin problems such as rosacea, eczema, dry skin, acne and poor complexion, scleroderma, scar tissue, and stretch marks
- High blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart problems, and type 2 diabetes
- Allergies
- Parasitic infections of the intestinal and urogenital tracts, chronic constipation, GERD, upset stomach, ulcers, and diverticulosis
- Eye inflammation
- Periodontal disease
- Wounds, cuts, and abrasions
- Liver problems
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Lung disorders including emphysema and pneumonia
- Autoimmune disorders such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia
- And just about any ailment is known to man!!
3. Why aren’t we getting enough sulfur in our diet?
I have written an article that explains this in detail. What is sulfur cycle, the effects of the broken cycle on our health?
4. When should I start taking organic sulfur?
You need to start taking organic sulfur immediately! We are exposed to a wide array of chemicals coming from soils, foods, water, and air on a daily basis.
If you want to defend yourself against all of the toxic contaminants we are exposed to daily then you need to start using organic sulfur. Everyone can benefit tremendously from taking organic sulfur because it is an important mineral that cannot be made by our bodies and is absolutely vital for our health.
Organic sulfur is one of the most powerful and effective minerals to detoxify our body by oxygenating cells, alkalizing the blood, removing toxins and heavy metals, building healthy cells, and speeding up healing. In fact, without enough sulfur in the body, healing simply cannot take place.
Hopefully, you now understand the urgency of getting a steady supply of organic sulfur into your body as it is not stored by the body and is passed every 12 hours after being ingested. So you must continually replenish for optimal health.
5. How does organic sulfur work?
The mechanism of action of organic sulfur is not fully understood. In a very general sense, organic sulfur helps to reduce inflammatory markers and oxidative stress.
Organic sulfur has been shown to inhibit the development of abnormal antibodies to collagen and to prevent the production of rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibodies.
Organic sulfur is well-known for its pain-relieving properties; however, the mechanisms by which it accomplishes this are not fully understood. Sulfur most likely inhibits inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are hormone-like substances that create inflammatory cascades in the body associated with pain production.
Organic sulfur's effects on connective tissue are also well known. It is presumed, though not proven, that the beneficial clinical effects noted in humans on skin, hair, nails, and joint cartilage have to do with sulfur content. Sulfur is abundant in connective tissue, and sulfur depletion in connective tissue is known to lead to health problems.
Oxidative stress is essentially an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to detoxify these harmful effects through neutralization by antioxidants.
Oxidative damage occurs when free radicals, usually reactive oxygen or nitrogen species, come into contact with parts of the cell-like proteins, lipids, or DNA. The damaged cell parts are then unable to function normally.
Free radicals also occur naturally within the body, and for the most part, the body's natural antioxidants can manage their detoxification. But, there are certain external factors that can trigger the production of damaging free radicals. These factors include excessive exposure to UV rays, pollution, smoking, poor diet, excessive exercise, toxins, certain medications and/or treatments, and many other factors.
The antioxidants produced naturally by the body are not enough to neutralize all of the free radicals in the body. Therefore, a constant supply of external sources of antioxidants should be a part of one's diet in order to reduce oxidative stress and related damage.
Inflammation is a vital part of the body's immune response. It is your body’s first line of defense against toxins, infections, and injuries. Inflammatory response causes increased blood flow, increased capillary permeability, and most importantly increased white blood cell count in the body. External signs of inflammation are redness, heat, swelling, and pain.
Inflammation is a natural process that helps to protect the body and without it, wounds would fester and infections could become deadly. Inflammation can also be problematic though, over time, you can end up with too much of a good thing. With chronic inflammation, your body is on high alert all the time, which can lead health conditions such as osteoarthritis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and Crohn’s disease.
Inflammation and oxidative stress are closely related and are in many ways two sides of the same coin. They are inextricably linked because each can be induced by the other.
Inflammatory cells release a number of reactive oxygen or nitrogen species at the site of inflammation, as a way of killing pathogens. Conversely, reactive oxygen or nitrogen species induce intracellular signaling cascades that induce inflammatory responses. This complicated feedback loop between oxidation and inflammation needs balance to be effective without creating harm.
7. How long do I need to take sulfur before it starts working?
Studies have shown that organic sulfur enters the blood very quickly and will start working within 30-45 minutes. Since everyone is different, people's health conditions vary in severity, and everyone reacts to organic sulfur at a different rate.
Some people may begin to notice the effects of organic sulfur within two weeks of taking it, while others may take months or longer.
Results may vary depending on the type of product and the dosage you are taking. The benefits of organic sulfur may also be enhanced or decreased depending on other supplements or medications you are taking.
One of the best recommendations I can offer is to take a full front-view photograph of your face before starting your sulfur regimen and then take periodic photos over the course of a year and compare the results.
Evaluate each photograph whether you are starting to look more youthful. If you start to receive compliments about your appearance, it is a pretty good indicator that sulfur is working for you. Also if you begin to see scar tissue fading away from your skin, this is another indicator that you are receiving the direct benefit from taking sulfur.
8. Why most organic sulfur supplements don't work?
Most organic sulfur products that come in the forms of pills and capsules that contain silica, fillers, flow agents, and binders can block sulfur absorption. Check out this article where I talked about the top 10 best MSM products to choose from.
According to West Coast Organic Sulfur Project, it estimated that 70% of organic sulfur products that are available on the market are imported from China and India and many of these products are produced inexpensively from petroleum derivatives.
About 1/3 of the re-sellers interviewed claimed theirs were North American products, but close examination and chemical analysis of samples didn’t prove this out. It was clearly a fraudulent representation of product quality.
Products imported from China and India are most often sold in a powder with 2% to 5 % of added flow agents, which usually sells for about half the cost of the North American made product. If the price range is $12 to $20 per pound it is more than likely the cheap and inferior product made in China or India. This is certainly not a guarantee, but a safe bet.
Pills and powdered form of organic sulfur may not typically be as effective as pure organic sulfur in the form of crystals. When choosing for an organic sulfur product, make sure you look for large crystals for maximum effect. It is also important that you buy organic sulfur products that are made in North America.
9. Is it safe to take organic sulfur if you are currently taking sulfa drugs?
Whenever you receive a prescription medication, you should always consult your doctor about any supplements you are taking.
However, there are no known interactions between organic sulfur and sulfa drugs as they have dramatically different properties and effects in the human body.
10. Is it safe to take organic sulfur if you have an allergy to sulfa drugs or sulfites?
Yes. It is safe to take organic sulfur even if you have sulfa drug or sulfite allergy. Organic sulfur is an entirely different product from sulfa drugs or sulfites. Many people are confused by them.
The allergy-causing compounds in sulfa drugs or sulfites bear no resemblance structurally or functionally to organic sulfur. Organic sulfur is a nutrient. Sulfa drugs are also known as sulfonamides, which do not occur naturally and are used as antibiotics.
Sulfonamides are not usually allergenic by themselves, but when a sulfonamide molecule is metabolized in the body, it can bind to proteins, and thus forming a larger molecule that can serve as an allergen and cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals. I have written an article that explains sulfur allergy in detail. I hope it will clear up some of the confusion. Check out this article for more information.
11. How to take organic sulfur?
I have put together an article that explains this in detail.
12. Why is it important to drink plenty of water while taking organic sulfur?
You can check out how to take organic sulfur crystals for more information.
13. Should I take anything else with organic sulfur?
You can check out how to take organic sulfur crystals for more information.
14. What are the organic sulfur crystals side effects?
In most cases, organic sulfur crystals have absolutely no side effects if consumed within the recommended amount.
As you begin taking organic sulfur, if you experience flu-like symptoms, dizziness, headaches, or the onset of diarrhea, don’t worry, these are actually normal and natural detoxification process.
These symptoms indicate a healing crisis, which means your body is adjusting in a healing way due to a sudden availability of oxygen and nutrients to the cells in your body.
These symptoms will disappear as your body acclimatizes and stabilizes itself.
15. What if I take too much organic sulfur?
Organic Sulfur is considered non-toxic and you can’t take too much of it. Attempted to kill mice and rats and failed to reach to a toxic level even at 200 grams or almost half a pound a day.
According to West Coast Organic Sulfur Project, one person took 1/3 of a pound of organic sulfur a day for three weeks. The experiment caused mild diarrhea and light sleep agitation, but there was no ill effect.
The most common complaints associated with taking too much organic sulfur are diarrhea, light sleep agitation, and headaches. If you took too much, your body will simply excrete the excess sulfur out of your body through the gastrointestinal system.
16. Which drugs or supplements interact with organic sulfur?
There are currently no drug interactions listed for organic sulfur. It should be noted, however, that organic sulfur has a mild blood-thinning effect, so if you are on a blood thinner such as aspirin or Coumadin (Warfarin).
It's very important that you consult with your doctor before taking sulfur.
17. Is organic sulfur natural or synthetic?
This is a lot of misconception surrounding whether organic sulfur is natural or synthetic. Myths and the internet have led to many conflicting claims about organic sulfur, which is usually perpetrated by untrained re-sellers.
Some sellers claim that their organic sulfur products are natural, lignin-based, pine knot, sawdust, wood-chip, pine tree, salt water, plant-based, naturally occurring, or vegetable-based.
Be careful with these words, these are in fact advertising hype and are not true. The deception is used to promote sales because they sound very green and eco-friendly, but they are inaccurate and very misleading.
If you come across any company making this claim, it is a telltale sign that they are lying. It's likely that they are selling the cheap Chinese or Indian produced organic sulfur.
Organic sulfur is found in nature in trace quantities. It's not and cannot be extracted from nature. Contrary to some misconceptions, commercially available organic sulfur does not come from wood, trees or fossil fuels. You simply can’t just squeeze organic sulfur from nature. Rather, a chemical reaction is required to make organic sulfur.
The most “natural” organic sulfur is to mimic the formation, function, and structure of the biological substance. All commercially available organic sulfur is produced from a chemical reaction between dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and hydrogen peroxide. This creates a chemical reaction that forms a new molecule called Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), which is identical to the molecule found in nature.
There is a misconception that one supply of organic sulfur is more “natural” than another. This is not true because all organic sulfur products are synthetic. The major difference comes down to the quality of the raw materials, the purification process, packaging, granular size, environmental exposure, testing levels, specifications and quality of the manufacturing, and country of origin.
18. What are the differences in organic sulfur purification?
All organic sulfur products are the result of chemical reaction between DMSO and hydrogen peroxide. However, DMSO can be produced in two ways. The most common and also the cheapest and the least "natural" way is the petrochemical method, where natural gas is used to make sulfur. The second method is to use black liquor to make sulfur. Black liquor is a by-product of papermaking that comes from a substance found in wood.
Once the raw organic sulfur solution is made, it then has to be purified so it is safe for human consumption. There are two methods of purification, which are distillation and crystallization.
Distillation is the best method that will ensure the purity of organic sulfur. In the distillation process, organic sulfur is separated from other products by using a boiling point. The boiling point of organic sulfur is 478 degrees Fahrenheit.
The heat is used to slowly remove all impurities from the organic sulfur solution, and the distillation can be performed multiple times to get greater levels of purity. This results in an extremely pure organic sulfur with an extremely low water content.
Crystallization method is less costly and therefore is the more common option. Organic sulfur is washed in water, centrifuged, and then crystallized. This means that the end product has a higher water content, which makes it more susceptible to mold and microbes. More worryingly, using crystallization as a purification method can result in impurities such as heavy metals and solvents being used and left in the product.
Finally, the end product can be altered by changing the particle size, and by adding silica. Pure powdered organic sulfur can clump into hard chunks due to its electron make-up. This natural caking makes it impossible to manufacture pills and capsules without adding flow agents like silica. By adding silica, organic sulfur can be made more manageable, easier to pour and to prevent it from clumping together.
There are claims that additives do not affect organic sulfur are false. If organic sulfur is made into pills or powders for resale it must be highly processed several times after its manufacture. It has to be ground into fine powder and then flow agents like silica or stearate are added. This processing is extremely detrimental to the organic sulfur and also reduces the effectiveness of sulfur in the body.
A significant drawback to consumers is that retailers and manufacturers can “legally” add silica to their products and not include it on the label as an ingredient and sold their sulfur as organic or pure even though there is silica in it.
When purchasing organic sulfur, look for large crystals of flake appearance. In order for it to be biologically safe and effective, organic sulfur must be pure and free of all additives. In fact, most organic sulfur products that are available in processed forms of powder or pills/capsules have shown to be 70% less effective than pure, large flake organic sulfur.
19. Why is MSM also referred to as organic sulfur?
MSM is sometimes referred to as “Organic Sulfur” because it is a carbon-containing molecule. Carbon-containing molecules are organic substances by definition.
However, this is not to be confused with food items or herbal products marketed as Certified Organic, Organic, 100% Organic, USDA Organic or Made with Organic Ingredients.
Organic is a labeling term that indicates a food or herbal product that have followed all the rules and regulations to meet the organic standard. MSM or organic sulfur is not and cannot be produced in a manner to be certified as Organic.
20. Gold standard organic sulfur
The Gold Standard Organic Sulfur Crystals are the highest quality and purity on the market. It is 99.9% pure, 100% American made that is free of fillers, anti-caking additives, and binders.
Most of the organic sulfur products on the market are imported from either China or India where quality could be a concern.
You can rest assured that you are getting the best product on the market when you buy Gold Standard Organic Sulfur.
It provides far more absorption power and effect than cheaper, knock-off crystals and 500-2000% more MSM than most pills and powders. The difference is the large size of the crystals and the unmatched absorption and potency.
This product is made with quality American DMSO, not the dirty petrochemicals like other cheaper brands.
Many overseas manufacturers use a method of crystallization to make their organic sulfur, which is not as good as the distillation process.
Gold Standard Organic Sulfur is double distilled for maximum purity. It uses low heat because overheating diminishes the effectiveness of sulfur. They are the largest crystals on the market for the maximum effect at the lowest dosages.
Sources:
http://www.organicsulfur-msm.ca/about-the-project.html
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave your comments below. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Hong
21 Comments on “Organic Sulfur (MSM) Frequently Asked Questions”
I have arthritis and high cholesterol that is my reason for wanting to give this a try. My first two days the pain in my knees were worse and I was thinking of sending it back . Then noted I wasn’t drinking enough water . I have a filter on my faucet, but is spring water ok. Like my water really cold.
Good day Hong,
A friend of mine recommended the Gold Standard Organic Sulfur for my mom who has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer. She is currently on the blood thinner Pradaxa (we decided to pass on the Warfarin as it seem to have too many side effects and affects other medications). She is also taking the chemotherapy tablet, Capecitabine. Can you say if the Sulfur will have any contraindication to these medications? Would it be safe for her to take?
Regards,
Hi Latoya,
MSM is safe for many people taking medications. However, if you are taking high doses of aspirin or blood thinning medications such as coumadin or heparin on a regular basis, you should take caution when using MSM. This is because MSM has blood thinning effect on platelet aggregation. This could make you bruise more easily and increase bleeding from hemorrhoids.
Never reduce or stop taking medication on your own. Always keep your doctors informed about the supplement you are taking. Only your doctor should advise you whether or not to cut back.
All the best,
Hong
I don’t know why you folks are so cavalier about this MSN/crystaline sulfur/ Methyl Sulfonyl Methane. There Are many sits saying its contraindicated with aspirin or coumadin. I took MSN and coincidence or not, I got a TIA within 24 hrs. I was on coumadin at the time, since the event aspirin too. Then I looked up the results of the combination and discontinued the MSN
Hi Peter, thank you for visiting my site and for your comment. I only promote products that have benefited me and my family and that are in alignment with my ideals. You can read my story here on how this mineral has changed my health. I have been talking it for about a couple of years and will continue to take it for many years to come. It has not only benefited me but as well as many of my friends and family members.
I am sorry to hear about your experience. There are currently no drug interactions listed for organic sulfur. It should be noted, however, that organic sulfur has mild blood-thinning effect, so if you are on a blood thinner such as aspirin or Coumadin (Warfarin), it is very important that you consult with your doctor before taking sulfur. If you take blood thinner and sulfur together at the same time, it can cause your blood to become too thin. Let me know if you have any question.
Take care,
Hong
I really appreciate how thorough you are in these reviews, and advocating for supplementing with sulfur. I was still on the fence about whether to start this treatment, but after reading the FAQ, I think I’m gonna take the plunge. Especially if there are no risks of drug interactions…I’ll come back and let you know how it goes 🙂
Hi Penelope, you are very welcome for the information. I am glad you found value in them.
There are currently no drug interactions listed for organic sulfur. But it does have a mild blood-thinning effect, so if you are on a blood thinner such as aspirin or Coumadin (Warfarin), it is important that you consult with your doctor before taking sulfur.
Let me know your experience with this product. If you have any question, feel free to contact me.
Thank you for your time and for your comment.
Have a great day!
Hong
Thanks for your informative review regarding the health benefits of organic sulphur, excuse my ignorance but I had no idea sulphur’s health benefits stretched to this extent.
You mention sulphur provides healing for skin problems and abrasions. Have you any idea whether it helps get rid of chilblains? I suffer with these itchy painful skin problems at various times of the year.
Thanks for your time,
Simon.
Hello Simon, thank you for visiting and for your comment.
I am glad this article has provided value to you. I am not sure if organic sulfur would help get rid of chilblains since I’ve never had this skin problem. I do however know that organic sulfur has pain-relieving properties that most likely inhibits inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are hormone-like substances that create inflammatory cascades in the body associated with pain production.
Organic sulfur also has abilities to improve cell permeability, allow harmful substances to flow out while permit nutrients to flow in, this also helps to decrease inflammation in the body. I believe it does not hurt to give organic sulfur a try. Feel free to check out my personal testimony on this product for more information. Let me know if you have any question.
Have a wonderful day!
Hong
Thanks for this very informative FAQ about organic sulfur. I haven’t heard of organic sulfur before and the benefits of it. I’m definitely interested about it now and will read more of your blog posts about it.
Thank you for sharing.
Hello Mark,
Thank you for visiting and for your comment. I am glad that you found the Sulfur FAQ informative. Let me know if you have any question.
Hong
This is a completely new subject for me, Hong, and I am glad I found your website. What a lot of great and detailed information! It seems that organic sulfur is something I am missing in my diet. At 70, I find your list of all the reasons to take it pretty impressive. I take a multi, and kelp, fish oil. I think I will be reading some more here, and will most likely be adding organic sulfur to my daily regimen. Thank you for this education!
Hi Annie,
Thank you for your comment and for visiting. Feel free to check out my other articles. Let me know if you have any questions, I will be happy to help.
Hong
I am currently taking 2 Blood pressure and Plavix medication will I be able to go off these meds if take organic sulfur
Hello Patricia,
Thank you for visiting and for your comment. I would not recommend starting any new supplement or stop your medications abruptly without consulting your doctor first. Organic sulfur does have a mild blood thinning effect, which can increase the effect of PLavix and further thin your blood, so it is important that you talk to your doctor before starting any new health practice.
Since everyone is different, everyone’s health conditions vary in severity, and everyone reacts to organic sulfur at a different rate. I am not a medical doctor, and I cannot say for sure whether or not you can get off these two medications completely. You can check out my review for this product here.
Please keep in mind that in order to see the result, it requires one to take the right dose of organic sulfur, right amount of hydration, and at the right time and one has to also follow other specific instructions, which can be found in “How to take organic sulfur” article. It also requires one to use organic sulfur on a regular and a long-term basis to see benefits. For some people it might take few days, some few weeks, and some months to notice positive change.
According to the west coast organic sulfur project, it states the following:
•54 cases of scheduled heart surgery cancelled as EKG’s returned to normal within six weeks of regular ingestion of organic sulfur as recommended.
•Over 100 cases of high blood pressure have been resolved along with the elimination of related medication by participant’s own initiative. There is one member that reported going from BP 160/102 to 136/85 in two months. These types of changes are frequently reported.
•It also states that those who take organic sulfur on a long-term basis, report the breakdown of calcium plaque in the arteries and going off related medication. Please keep in mind that this has taken as long as a year in some cases and was done on their own initiative.
•High cholesterol, hardened arteries, and plaque in the arteries were reduced. General health of blood and circulation system noticeably improved.
•Over three-dozen people report reductions in cholesterol counts.
•Seven members report going from poor blood quality to the top 10% for live blood quality in three to six months of organic sulfur use. This was verified by independent lab tests.
My mother had some kind of heart condition in the past. I recommended this product to her and she has been on it for about a year now. Now she is prescription medication free. She no longer has the heart problem she had before. Ever since she started on this nutrient, she even looks healthier and says she feels much better and younger.
I hope you give gold standard organic sulfur a try after your doctor confirms that it is ok for you to take. If you ever have any other questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact me. You can do so by leaving me a comment or email me at hong@organicsulfurforhealth.com. Have a nice day!
Best Regards,
Hong
Thank you for this article, I had no idea about organic sulfur and how much I could benefit from it. I already take garlic and vitamin c to build my immune system but never knew that organic sulfur was so beneficial to me will definitely be reading more to get a better understanding of how I can include this in my day to day life
Hello Marquis,
You are very welcome. I am glad that my article informed you something you didn’t know before. Vitamin c and garlic are great for strengthening immune system. You can also check out my gold standard organic sulfur review for more information.
sounds very promising. Before I purchase, do you recommend taking organic sulfur along with Vitamin C?
Hi Horane, thank you for stopping by. Taking vitamin c with organic sulfur has a much more profound effect on your overall health than they do separately. I recommend that you try organic sulfur first and once your body has acclimatized, then you can start adding vitamin c to your sulfur regimen to experience greater benefits. Be sure to check out my article on how to take organic sulfur for more information. If you have any questions, feel free to email me or leave them in the comment box below. I will be happy to help.
Best luck to you
Hong
You have convinced me, I just ordered the Gold Standard sulfur from Amazon through your link.
Hello Madeleine. Thank you for trusting me. I am confident that you will benefit from this product. If you have any questions or comments, let me know.
Thank you
Hong