Content
- 1 What is sulfur and its role in the body
- 2 Useful properties of sulfur
- 3 Sulfur application
- 4 Indications for use
- 5 How to apply sulfur
- 6 Products containing sulfur
- 7 Daily rate of sulfur consumption
- 8 Symptoms of a lack of sulfur in the body
- 9 Excess sulfur in the body
- 10 Side effects and contraindications to the use of sulfur
- 11 Interaction with other substances
- 12 Conclusion
- 13 Reviews
The benefits and harms of sulfur are the effects on the body of sulfur-containing drugs.
In order to understand their effect on health and learn how to use it, it will be useful to learn about the role of this substance in our body.
What is sulfur and its role in the body
Sulfur, S (the full name is sulfur), is a macroelement that is assigned atomic number 16 in the periodic table.
Known for its offensive odor in compounds and flammable properties, this substance plays an important role in humans, being part of amino acids such as metonine, cystine, vitamins (such as thiamine), hormones and enzymes (such as insulin).
In the human body, the proportion of sulfur is 0.25% of the total mass.
Sulfur itself is not toxic, but compounds of the element with other chemical components, such as hydrogen sulfide, are poisonous.
It plays a key role in blood clotting. Its beneficial properties are to protect protoplasm from bacteria.
As part of the body's compounds, sulfur is beneficial for the growth of hair, nails, skin, as well as protecting the body from aging.
Useful properties of sulfur
Sulfur has a number of beneficial properties:
- maintains a sufficient amount of bile in the body for digestion;
- protects against exposure to radiation and any other radiation from electrical appliances;
- supports collagen synthesis;
- causes an even and persistent tan of the skin in summer;
- is present in hemoglobin, participating in the process of transporting oxygen through the blood to the tissues and cells of the body.
The benefits of sulfur for a woman's body are manifested in protection from environmental harm, stress factors. It improves immunity and the general condition of the body. The trace element prevents the appearance of wrinkles, makes the skin supple and elastic.
In addition to the listed beneficial properties, the element cleanses the blood and activates the activity of brain functions.
In addition to being present in the body as one of the components responsible for its activity, the benefits of sulfur are also manifested in the treatment of certain diseases.
Sulfur application
Sulfur has been used to treat humans since ancient times. Modern medicine uses a number of medicines containing this element and its compounds. For instance:
- natural baths of hydrogen sulfide have a beneficial effect on the body;
- sodium thiosulfate solution is used to treat scabies, neuralgia, arthritis;
- streptocide and phthalazole are antiseptic drugs.
Sulfur is used for the production of medicinal soap, which has an antiseptic and drying effect. Purified, or medical, sulfur is used to fight parasites, bowel disease and frequent constipation.
Sulfur is used to treat eczema, furunculosis and demodicosis. Masks for hair and against dandruff are made from it: the element acts as a stimulator of hair growth, and also eliminates their greasiness.
Indications for use
Doctors prescribe treatment for gray when it is lacking in the body. Medicines based on the element have an antiseptic and antibacterial effect, they are used to treat scabies, fungal diseases, and youthful acne.
The medicinal properties of sulfur are recommended for people suffering from rheumatism and osteoarthritis. The main thing is to follow the recommendations for the appointment, since an overdose of the drug threatens the harm of intoxication.
How to apply sulfur
Sulfur preparations are taken simultaneously with food.
You should only buy purified sulfur from a pharmacy.
Feed sulfur preparations for animals are not intended for human consumption.
The optimal course of treatment is 1 month. If there is no expected benefit, you must stop taking it before consulting your doctor.
Sulfur powder for oral administration
Powder for internal use is prescribed in the presence of chronic diseases:
- polyarthritis;
- sciatica;
- hemorrhoids.
Sulfur for oral administration is refined and is available in tightly sealed cans. Reception of purified sulfur is also prescribed for the treatment of enterobiasis.
Medical purified sulfur, or sulfuric anhydride, is beneficial in cases of:
- restoration of the body's defenses;
- for expectorant purposes: hydrogen sulfide is absorbed through the intestines and enters the lungs through the blood;
- with constipation - prescribe purified sublimate sulfur;
- to enhance the body's ability to neutralize weak poisons.
When taking sulfur, if desired, you can drink enterosorbents: they will reduce the harm of frequent gas formation that the drug can cause.
Sulfuric ointment
In addition to oral administration, medicinal purified sulfur is used externally in the form of ointments to treat:
- scabies;
- eczema;
- dermatitis;
- depriving;
- acne.
With dermatitis, an ointment made from medicinal sulfur is recommended to be applied twice a day. The sulfur concentration in the preparation is 5%.
The sulfur concentration in the acne ointment is 33%. It is applied to clean skin and dry skin. It is advisable to do the procedure in the evening and do not wash off immediately after applying the product.
During the treatment of scabies, do not rinse the ointment from the skin. You should also not shower during therapy. Only after a 5-day course of treatment should everything be thoroughly washed off and put on clean clothes. Bed linen also needs to be changed.
Products containing sulfur
Many organic products contain a useful element. Their daily use can provide benefits comparable to taking sulfur powder internally:
- onion;
- peas;
- a pineapple;
- zucchini;
- tomatoes;
- turnip;
- watermelon;
- nuts.
The largest amount of the element is contained in quail and chicken eggs.
There are also useful organic sulfur supplements on the market, for example in the form of Siberian larch gum.
Daily rate of sulfur consumption
The consumption rate for the benefit of the body is from 500 mg to 1 g per day. Due to increased physical activity, the dose for athletes is increased to 3 g per day, and mineral water with a sulfur content is also prescribed in the diet.
Symptoms of a lack of sulfur in the body
If the body lacks an element, a person's immunity decreases, which is manifested by the harm of a drop in vitality, lethargy and fatigue. Disorders in the body are reflected in the appearance.
The negative symptoms of a lack of sulfur in the body are:
- hair loss;
- thinning nails;
- loose skin;
- rashes on the skin in large quantities - due to the fact that the body cannot cope with toxins;
- constipation;
- problems with blood vessels.
Excess sulfur in the body
The benefits of sulfur turn into harm when the drug is abused.
The excess of an element appears as:
- rashes;
- itching;
- conjunctivitis;
- "Sand in the eyes";
- weight loss;
- deterioration of brain activity.
An overabundance of the trace element is also caused by the abuse of products into which the element is introduced in the form of sulfates to extend the shelf life, for example, when smoking.
Side effects and contraindications to the use of sulfur
Side effects when using sulfur-based drugs are manifested in the form of harm from poisoning. With acute intoxication, a person experiences convulsions, dizziness - until they lose consciousness, bronchitis may develop with various complications.
Greasy pores, boils with severe itching may appear on the skin.
Manic and mental disorders can also be side effects of long-term use of sulfur-containing drugs.
Interaction with other substances
Sulfur is well absorbed with a sufficient amount of iron, molybdenum, fluorine in the body. Conversely, selenium and lead are its antagonists.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of sulfur depend on the purpose of the appointment and compliance with the dosage of the drugs.
Sulfur is popularly called the "mineral of beauty" because, thanks to its beneficial properties, it provides a healthy look for nails, hair and skin. The excess of the element in the body does not harm severe poisoning, although doctors associate its widespread use in the food industry to increase the shelf life of products with an increase in statistics on diseases of bronchial asthma.
