Sulphur (also spelt sulfur) is a tasteless, odourless element, which in its native form is a yellow crystal solid. Sulfur comes in several forms, such as sulphide (sulfide) or sulphate (sulfate) minerals.
While we tend to think of the rotten egg smell as being sulfurous, actually that belongs to another intestinal gas, hydrogen sulfide. Sulfur by itself has no odour.
Understanding sulfate
Sulphate – a ‘processed’ or metabolised form of sulfur – is the third most abundant mineral in the body, which is huge. Half of this sulfate is in muscle, skin and bone.
Sulphate is also a part of some of our essential amino acids, which are the smaller pieces that make up a protein strand. Imagine a little bead bracelet, made up of amino acids, that creates a protein strand. Meat (including our human meat!) is made of protein, but protein is plentiful in vegetables, nuts and beans as well.
Sulfate is a part of essential amino acids, only found in animal proteins. ‘Essential’ means we can’t make it ourselves, we need to eat it, and we can’t live without it. Sulphate is part of the amino acids that make up protein in cells, hormones, enzymes, antibodies and body tissues.
Our bodies require a constant flow of sulfate. It’s a very important substance.
Sulphur build up
We create sulfate when sulfur takes its final step in its metabolic pathway. If this step is hindered – usually by genetics or environmental factors – we see a build up of sulfur. The sulfur is not converted to sulphate as quickly as it needs to, so builds up in the body and causes sulfur ‘intolerance’ symptoms. So, more sulfur is present than can be metabolised at a constant rate.
Symptoms of sulfur overload
Symptoms of too much sulphur are many and varied, as sulfur is an integral part of so many body processes. However, there are some common symptoms of sulfur intolerance:
- Vaginal and urinary tract microbiome disruptions that do not respond to usual treatments, with dominant microbes that favour sulfur
- Vaginal symptoms associated with microbiome disturbances, burning, redness, discharge
- Vaginal and urinary tract symptoms worsen with high sulfur food, drug or water intake and may coincide with other symptoms
- Fatigue, exhaustion
- Feeling ‘gross’, toxic
- Brain fog, can’t think
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Inflamed eyes
- Itching skin
- Eczema
- Gas, bloating
- Smelling ammonia in the nose
- Joint pain
Causes of sulfur intolerance (overload)
The main issue in sulfur intolerance is the body can’t effectively convert sulfur into sulphate, creating a build-up of sulfur in the body. There are several reasons for this metabolic blockage.
- Exposure to glyphosate (RoundUp, pesticides) on genetically modified crops (canola, corn, sugar beets, soy)
- Glyphosate binds to molybedenum, which is one nutrient that acts as a cofactor for converting sulfur into sulphate
- Genetic mutations affecting the CBS pathway/gene
Major sources of sulphur
- Foods and diets high in sulphur (paleo, GAPs, eggs, meat, garlic, kale, onions, nuts, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage etc)
- Well water – anyone who uses well water should have their water tested, red rings around taps and toilets indicates high sulfur levels in water
- Drugs and supplements – sulfa drugs, sulfasalazine, alpha lipoic acid, MSM, N-acetylcysteine all increase sulfur levels in the body
- Bacteria that produce hydrogen sulphide – water systems, bowels (including SIBO)
- Environmental – byproduct of fossil fuels, exhaust fumes
Treating sulfur overload
- Try a sulfur elimination diet to confirm it is sulfur, not something else
- Start eating organic foods as much as possible to reduce exposure to glyphosates
- Epsom salt baths – epsom salts are magnesium sulphate, and can help to improve detoxification pathways to clear metabolites – use 3-4 cups per whole body bath or foot bath (bucket of warm water) for 20-30 minutes 2-3 times per week or as needed
- Supplements – minerals (magnesium, lithium orotate, calcium D-glucarate, molybdenum), vitamin B12 (hydroxocobalamin), bismuth
- Find a sulfur-knowledgable practitioner (My Vagina practitioners are across sulfur!)
References1,2
- 1.Sbodio JI, Snyder SH, Paul BD. Regulators of the transsulfuration pathway. British J Pharmacology. Published online August 23, 2018:583-593. doi:10.1111/bph.14446
- 2.Mogilnicka I, Bogucki P, Ufnal M. Microbiota and Malodor—Etiology and Management. IJMS. Published online April 20, 2020:2886. doi:10.3390/ijms21082886
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