What are and why take organic sulfur crystals?
The short version: because your health and well-being depend upon it.
Now for the long version:
MSM or methylsulfonymethane is an organic sulfur compound that is well known for its health benefits for joints.
Dr. Stanley Jacob, professor of Surgery at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland studied sulfur’s therapeutic benefits in more than 15,000 patients.
As the senior author of The Miracle of MSM and MSM: the Definitive Guide, Dr. Jacob presented facts how the sulfur crystals can significantly decrease the pains of arthritis, back pin, headaches, athletic injuries, asthma, carpel tunnel syndrome, autism, and a host of autoimmune diseases like lupus and fibromyalgia.
In fact, it has been so effective in helping patients with these problems that it extending beyond the effects of glucosamine and chondroitin as an analgesic dietary supplement, as well as for allergy relief and as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Organic MSM, in nature, is a microscopic phytoplankton living in the oceans that eventually dies and begins to decompose. As it decays, it creates a gas called dimethylsulfide (DMS). It is also lignan based.
Oxygen and sunlight react with DMS causing it to go through a series of oxidation steps that include the formation of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), methylsulfonymethane (MSM) and other sulfates. Studies on how clouds form have demonstrated that microscopic particles of sulfate are requires for water vapor in the atmosphere to form clouds.
Water droplets than absorb DMSO and MSM since both are highly soluble in water. Eventually, when the clouds release their water droplets as rain, trace amounts of these compounds drop to the earth to be used by plants and trees or returned to the sea to repeat the process.
Most commercially produced MSM is not from a natural substance made from phytoplankton. It is the product of chemical industries and manufactured from petroleum waste and methane gas and is completely useless and worthless.
Commercially available MSM is synthesized by the catalytic reaction of hydrogen peroxide with DMSO. All DMSO is formed by the reaction of nitrogentetroxide and oxygen with DMS. The oxygen atoms for these reactions come from the atmosphere, the same source used in nature.
DMS is made commercially in one of two ways.
The most common method is the reaction of sulfur with natural gas (methane). Methyl alcohol made from natural gas is combined with sulfur in the form of hydrogen sulfide or carbon disulfide in a vapor phase catalytic reaction to form DMS and methylmercaptan (MM). MM is primarily used to make the amino acid methionine, another dietary supplement. DMS is sold for various industrial uses or converted to DMSO. This process is generally favored due to high conversion yield, low energy consumption and its independence from a paper mill waste stream. It is the least natural of the two processes.
The second method for manufacturing DMSO, which is used in the production of MSM (organic sulfur crystals), combines sulfur with paper mill pulping liquids to make DMS. Sulfur is added to black liquor and heated to about 450 F under high pressure. Crude DMS is stripped from the liquor after about an hour. The process is very energy intensive and limited by low yield and pulping capacity. The black liquor is burned in a recovery boiler to dispose of the remaining organic material from the wood and to reclaim the inorganic chemicals for recycle to make fresh pulping liquor. Crude DMS is purified by a series of extraction and distillation steps to make a product for sale or conversion to DMSO. If MSM is not manufactured properly, or is produced in a facility that makes multiple products with improper sanitation procedures, contamination is likely. There may also be a chance that impurities such as heavy metals or chlorinated hydrocarbons from the water used in the synthesis and crystallization process will remain in the final product. Other factors that determine the purity of synthesized MSM is consistent product formation and strict process control procedures. A good MSM manufacturer uses in-process control and rigorous product testing to ensure the product is indeed pure.
That test is a simple one. Unfortunately, many people marketing organic sulfur crystals (MSM) DO NOT KNOW THE TEST. I am hesitant to reveal that process here for fear that unscrupulous vendors will say they test their products not caring whether their product works or not. Suffice it to say that I test every batch to insure quality. In over hundreds of thousands of individuals there has never been any complaint that our product is not effective.
Bear in mind that deficiencies in biological sulfur can result in the less than optimal functioning of each cell in the body. Inorganic sulfur is poorly assimilated whereas organic, biologically active sulfur is therefore extremely important for the health of every living organism. Organic sulfur crystals are the natural source of biological sulfur to which we have adapted through our evolution.
Dr, Stephannie Sennef, A scientist at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a dear friend, has made it quite clear through her independent research that once the body reverses its sulfur deficiency, cells are repaired and good health abounds. Also, a study at the University of South Hampton in Great Britain found that the organic sulfur crystals produce the essential amino acids and vitamin B-12 in the body.
So, lets take a look at some of the benefits:
PAIN RELIEF
MSM is a natural analgesic and blocks the transfer of pain impulses through the nerve fibers. The sulfur also blocks the inflammation process by enhancing the activity or cortisol, a natural anti-inflammatory hormone produced by the body.
SYNERGISTIC
The sulfur increases the effects of most vitamins and other nutrients, such as vitamin C, Coenzyme Q10, all B vitamins, vitamin A, D, and E, amino acids, selenium, calcium, magnesium and many others. The sulfur improves the cellular uptake of these nutrients and prolongs their lives, but should not be taken within 30 minutes of taking sulfur because anything synthetic will nullify the benefits of the sulfur if consumed within 30 minutes of taking the sulfur.
ANTIOXIDANT
The organic sulfur crystals are a strong antioxidant, capable of binding and inactivating harmful free radicals. Overproduction of free radicals is caused by physical and mental stress, malnutrition, air pollution, heavy metals and organic contaminants in drinking water and food (GMOS) and radiation.
DETOXIFICATION
The crystals dissolve in many organic and inorganic compounds and reacts with toxins, affects inactivation and speeds excretion. Furthermore, the sulfur enhances the permeability of cell membranes, making it easier for nutrients to be taken up by the cells and for waste products to be eliminated.
NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
The brain is extremely sensitive to the effects of toxic materials such as heavy metals and organic compounds. Many of these compounds tend to accumulate in nerve cells where they can cause severe oxidative damage. Neurological disturbances may be the result. The organic sulfur crystals are one of the few antioxidants, which can easily pass the blood-brain barrier. It prevents and repairs oxidative damage and restores cell membrane elasticity and permeability. This allows the nerve cells to start excreting waste products. Remember that autism arises from heavy metals passing the blood-brain barrier.
ALLERGIES
The sulfur alleviates the symptoms of a large number of allergies, including food allergies, contact allergies, inhalation allergies (asthma, bronchitis, etc), and others. The major anti-allergic characteristic of the sulfur crystals caused by its ability to bind to the mucosa and present a natural blocking interface between hosts and allergens. Besides, the sulfur crystals alleviates allergies through detoxification and elimination of free radicals, and improvement of cell permeability.
AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
Sulfur is very effective in fighting inflammations resulting from autoimmune reactions in which the body’s immune system turns on itself. For example, people who suffer from arthritis often benefit greatly form the sulfur crystals. Several studies have shown that supplementation with organic sulfur crystals significantly reduces joint degeneration and inflammation. In one study, 24 people with symptomatic osteoarthritis were treated with a regular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), or with 3 grams of sulfur daily. After one month, both groups noted equal improvements in pain and stiffness. The difference was that the sulfur group did not have to poison their systems with synthetic chemicals.
PARASITES
One of the most amazing discoveries on MSM is its anti-parasitic action against Giardia, Trichomonas, roundworms, nematodes, Enterobius and other intestinal worms. Animal studies include laboratory mice determined to have pin worms by fecal cast examination. They were given commercial food and drinking water, both containing 2% sulfur by weight. After 17 days, fecal examination indicated the feces were free of worms and eggs.
DIABETES
The sulfur containing B vitamin biotin is a critical part of glucokinase, the enzyme involved in the utilization of the sugar glucose. Sulfur is also a component of insulin, the protein hormone secreted by the pancreas that is essential to carbohydrate metabolism. Lack of nutritional sulfur in the diet can result in low production of biologically active insulin. Studies indicate the sulfur improves cellular glucose uptake by improving cell permeability, thus balancing blood sugar level and returning the pancreas to normal functioning.
NATURAL OR SYNTHETIC
The sulfur and its precursors return to the earth in rainwater, which contains a lot of sulfur. Fruits and vegetables will absorb this rainwater and sulfur can be found in most plants and trees, especially pine trees, with a content ranging from 1 to 4 mg/kg.
When animals eat these plants, they also assimilate sulfur. Unfortunately, the synthetic petro-chemical fertilizers, genetically modified herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides virtually killed all the sulfur in the soil.
Raw cow’s milk from pastured animals contains a considerable amount of sulfur: about 2 to 5 mg/kg. Due to the volatile nature of the sulfur, it is rapidly lost when consumerables are heated during food preparation or pasteurization. Pasteurized milk therefore contains less than 0.25mg/kg sulfur, roughly the same amount found in milk from cows fed dried, artificial food. Milk from goats and other animals contains a lesser amount.
Cooking and heating will destroy most sulfur in plants and meats. Sulfur is also lost when vegetables and fruit are frozen for a lengthy period of time, or when they are irradiated. Due to the realities of the modern food industry, in which a great portion of everything we eat is either heated, irradiated, frozen for a long period of time, or genetically modified, it’s no wonder that we suffer from a chronic shortage of sulfur.
DOGS TOO?
Yes, foods that dogs eat are screwed as well.
The therapeutic dosage for dogs is about 50 to 100 mg per 10 pounds of body weight. Even dogs fed a raw, whole food diet might not be getting enough sulfur thanks to farming industrialization.
So, if your dog suffers from a chronic inflammatory condition or joint pain, you might want to give him the sulfur crystals. Because it is a synthesized product, extensive distillation is crucial to remove impurities such as heavy metals. Unlike most other supplements, the sulfur crystal can be manufactured in the US, so look for US made sources. Ours is extracted from the pine trees in Louisiana.
If you prefer to rely on food sources of sulfur, make sure your dog’s diet is raw and organic to keep as much of the naturally occurring sulfur intact. Smaller amounts of naturally occurring sulfur would be needed, so it might be possible for your dog to get enough from diet alone.
Adding sulfur rich foods to your dog’s diet might also help, since the sulfur is organic. Sulfur also plays an important role in the production of glutathione, another important antioxidant.
Sulfur rich foods include meats with a lot of collagen, such as bones, trachea and connective tissue. Raw, organic meats and bones are best, but only for dogs because by nature they are carnivorous while humans are not.
WHERE DO I GET THE BEST SULFUR?
www.healthtalkhawaii.com
Sources:
Herschler, R.J.: Methylsulfonymethane and Methods of Use.
United States patent 4,296,130: 1981
Herschler, R.J.: Methylsulfonymethane in Dietary products
United States Patent 4,616,039: 1986
Herschler, R.J.: MSM: A Nutrient for the Horse. Eq. Vet. Data, 1986
Mindell, E.L.: The MSM Miracle. Enhance Your Health with Organic Sulfur
Good Health Guides, Keats Publishing, Inc CT, USA: 1997
Ley, B.M.: The Forgotten Nutrient MSM: On Our Way Back to Health with Sulfur
Health Learning Handbooks, BL Publications, CA: 1998
Owen, B.: Ask Dr. Bob?? Why MSM?? Health Hope Publishing House, CA 1997
Jacob, S.W.: The Current Status of MSM in Medicine. Am. Acad. Med. Prev. 1983
Jacob, S.W. and Herschler, R.J.: Introductory Remarks:
Dimethylsulfoxide after Twenty Years. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.: 1983
Moore, R.D. and Morton, J.I.: Diminished Inflammatory Joint Disease in Mice Ingesting
Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or Methylsulfonymethane (MSM). Fed. Of AM. Soc. For
Exp. Biol., Proceedings 69th Ann. Meeting 1985: 692
Richmond, V.L.: Incorporation of Methylsofonymethane into Guina Pig Serum Proteins.
Life Sciences 1986, vol. 39, pp 263-268
Morton, J.I. and Siegel, B.V.: Effects of Oral Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and
Dimethylsulfonymethane (MSM) on Murine Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Disease
Proc. Of the Soc. For Exper. Bio. And Med. 1986, vol 183, pp 227-230
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SO16 7PX, UK , The effects of sulfur amino acid intake on immune function in humans.
Just to put things in perspective, after I graduated from Weequahic High School and before going to Seton Hall University, I had a part-time job working for a butcher. I was the delivery guy and occasionally had to go to the slaughterhouse to pick up products for the store. Needless to say, I had no consciousness nor awareness, as change never came then despite the horrors I witnessed on an almost daily basis.
After graduating with a degree in accounting from Seton Hall, I eventually got married and moved to a town called Livingston. Livingston was basically a yuppie community where everyone was judged by the neighborhood they lived in and their income. To say it was a "plastic" community would be an understatement.
Livingston and the shallowness finally got to me. I told my wife I was fed up and wanted to move. She made it clear she had to be near her friends and New York City. I finally got my act together and split for Colorado.
I was living with a lady in Aspen at the end of 1974, when one day she said, " let's become vegetarians". I have no idea what possessed me to say it, but I said, "okay"! At that point I went to the freezer and took out about $100 worth of frozen, dead body parts and gave them to a welfare mother who lived behind us. Well, everything was great for about a week or so, and then the chick split with another guy.
So here I was, a vegetarian for a couple weeks, not really knowing what to do, how to cook, or basically how to prepare anything. For about a month, I was getting by on carrot sticks, celery sticks, and yogurt. Fortunately, when I went vegan in 1990, it was a simple and natural progression. Anyway, as I walked around Aspen town, I noticed a little vegetarian restaurant called, "The Little Kitchen".
Let me back up just a little bit. It was April of 1975, the snow was melting and the runoff of Ajax Mountain filled the streets full of knee-deep mud. Now, Aspen was great to ski in, but was a bummer to walk in when the snow was melting.
I was ready to call it quits and I needed a warmer place. I'll elaborate on that in a minute.
But right now, back to "The Little Kitchen". Knowing that I was going to leave Aspen and basically a new vegetarian, I needed help. So, I cruised into the restaurant and told them my plight and asked them if they would teach me how to cook. I told them in return I would wash dishes and empty their trash. They then asked me what I did for a living and I told them I was an accountant.
The owner said to me, "Let's make a deal. You do our tax return and we'll feed you as well". So for the next couple of weeks I was doing their tax return, washing their dishes, emptying the trash, and learning as much as I could.
But, like I said, the mud was getting to me. So I picked up a travel book written by a guy named Foder. The name of the book was, "Hawaii". Looking through the book I noticed that in Lahaina, on Maui, there was a little vegetarian restaurant called," Mr. Natural's". I decided right then and there that I would go to Lahaina and work at "Mr. Natural's." To make a long story short, that's exactly what happened.
So, I'm working at "Mr. Natural's" and learning everything I can about my new dietary lifestyle - it was great. Every afternoon we would close for lunch at about 1 PM and go to the Sheraton Hotel in Ka'anapali and play volleyball, while somebody stayed behind to prepare dinner.
Since I was the new guy, and didn't really know how to cook, I never thought that I would be asked to stay behind to cook dinner. Well, one afternoon, that's exactly what happened; it was my turn. That posed a problem for me because I was at the point where I finally knew how to boil water.
I was desperate, clueless and basically up the creek without a paddle. Fortunately, there was a friend of mine sitting in the gazebo at the restaurant and I asked him if he knew how to cook. He said the only thing he knew how to cook was enchiladas. He said that his enchiladas were bean-less and dairy-less. I told him that I had no idea what an enchilada was or what he was talking about, but I needed him to show me because it was my turn to do the evening meal.
Well, the guys came back from playing volleyball and I'm asked what was for dinner. I told them enchiladas; the owner wasn't thrilled. I told him that mine were bean-less and dairy-less. When he tried the enchilada he said it was incredible. Being the humble guy that I was, I smiled and said, "You expected anything less"? It apparently was so good that it was the only item on the menu that we served twice a week. In fact, after about a week, we were selling five dozen every night we had them on the menu and people would walk around Lahaina broadcasting, 'enchilada's at "Natural's" tonight'. I never had to cook anything else.
A year later the restaurant closed, and somehow I gravitated to a little health food store in Wailuku. I never told anyone I was an accountant and basically relegated myself to being the truck driver. The guys who were running the health food store had friends in similar businesses and farms on many of the islands. I told them that if they could organize and form one company they could probably lock in the State. That's when they found out I was an accountant and "Down to Earth" was born. "Down to Earth" became the largest natural food store chain in the islands, and I was their Chief Financial Officer and co-manager of their biggest store for 13 years.
In 1981, I started to do a weekly radio show to try and expose people to a vegetarian diet and get them away from killing innocent creatures. I still do that show today. I pay for my own airtime and have no sponsors to not compromise my honesty. One bit of a hassle was the fact that I was forced to get a Masters Degree in Nutrition to shut up all the MD's that would call in asking for my credentials.
My doing this radio show enabled me, through endless research, to see the corruption that existed within the big food industries, the big pharmaceutical companies, the biotech industries and the government agencies. This information, unconscionable as it is, enabled me to realize how broken our health system is. This will be covered more in depth in the Introduction and throughout the book and when you finish the book you will see this clearly and it will hopefully inspire you to make changes.
I left Down to Earth in 1989, got nationally certified as a sports injury massage therapist and started traveling the world with a bunch of guys that were making a martial arts movie. After doing that for about four years I finally made it back to Honolulu and got a job as a massage therapist at the Honolulu Club, one of Hawaii's premier fitness clubs. It was there I met the love of my life who I have been with since 1998. She made me an offer I couldn't refuse. She said," If you want to be with me you've got to stop working on naked women". So, I went back into accounting and was the Chief Financial Officer of a large construction company for many years.
Going back to my Newark days when I was an infant, I had no idea what a "chicken" or "egg" or "fish" or "pig" or "cow" was. My dietary blueprint was thrust upon me by my parents as theirs was thrust upon them by their parents. It was by the grace of God that I was able to put things in their proper perspective and improve my health and elevate my consciousness.
The road that I started walking down in 1975 has finally led me to the point of writing my book, “A Sane Diet For An Insane World”. Hopefully, the information contained herein will be enlightening, motivating, and inspiring to encourage you to make different choices. Doing what we do out of conditioning is not always the best course to follow. I am hoping that by the grace of the many friends and personalities I have encountered along my path, you will have a better perspective of what road is the best road for you to travel on, not only for your health but your consciousness as well.
Last but not least: after being vaccinated as a kid I developed asthma, which plagued me all of my life. In 2007 I got exposed to the organic sulfur crystals, which got rid of my asthma in 3 days and has not come back in over 10 years. That, being the tip of the iceberg, has helped people reverse stage 4 cancers, autism, joint pain, blood pressure problems, migraine headaches, erectile dysfunction, gingivitis, and more. Also, because of the detoxification effects by the release of oxygen that permeates and heals all the cells in the body, it removes parasites, radiation, fluoride, free radicals, and all the other crap that is thrust upon us in the environment by Big Business.
For more, please view www.healthtalkhawaii.com and www.asanediet.com.
Namaste!
