# Doctor Doesn't Want Me Taking Sulfur Supplements **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 19, 2020, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984 "2020-09-19T06:03:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/1 "2020-09-19T06:03:32Z")
My physician returned my call a couple of days ago. I asked him if I should take a sulfur supplement. He apparently thinks definitely _not_ (thru his representative). Anyway don’t worry, I won’t take it then. They do sell it at what I would consider reputable internet sources (which will remain nameless here). Anyway, I just have three questions. (1) Why shouldn’t I take it in supplement form? As I told the medical tech, sulfur supplements were all the rage in the 1950’s at least. (2) Sulfur is necessary in human nutrition. What does it do in the human body? And lastly, (3) as long as I won’t be taking the supplements, where do I get it naturally? I think onions and garlic might have some. But how much of that can anyone stand? Thank you in advance for your helpful advice 🙂. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/2 "2020-09-19T07:25:02Z")
What makes you think you are suffering a Sulphur shortage? ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/3 "2020-09-19T08:35:40Z")
Well, I am taking a multivitamin that has everything else. So in that way, yes… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/4 "2020-09-19T08:42:32Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > 1. Sulfur is necessary in human nutrition. What does it do in the human body? Sulfur is a component of the amino acids methionine, cysteine, homocysteine, and taurine. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/5 "2020-09-19T08:46:06Z")
I’m still not clear on why O.P. thinks they need this supplement in the first place, in what seems to be out of the clear blue i.e. not in response to any specific symptoms. Besides, of course, the fact that they were in vogue seventy years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/6 "2020-09-19T11:50:38Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > And lastly, (3) as long as I won’t be taking the supplements, where do I get it naturally? I think onions and garlic might have some. But how much of that can anyone stand? High sulfur foods: Meat and poultry, especially organ meats but all meats have some Fish, especially shellfish Legumes - that is, beans, lentils, and peas Nuts and seeds Eggs (that’s what gives the yolks their yellow color. Greenish bits of egg yolk are when iron combines with the sulfur) Dairy Vegetables: the entire cabbage (brassica) family (cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collard greens, kohlrabi), radishes, turnip tops, the alliums (onion, garlic, leek, etc.), watercress, asparagus, mustard greens, sea vegetables (nori, kombu, etc.) Grains: barley, oats, wheat Beverages: beer, cider, wine, grape juice, tomato juice Condiments: mustard, horseradish, marmite, curry powder, ginger Other: some well water, food preservatives called sulfites added to a lot of stuff, Probably a bunch of other stuff I can’t think of at the moment. Given how common high sulfur foods are I’m wondering why you think you need a supplement. Honestly, man, sulfur deficiency is pretty much a non-issue unless you’re living on just French Fries and soft drinks. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/7 "2020-09-19T11:59:29Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Given how common high sulfur foods are I’m wondering why you think you need a supplement Maybe high sulfur levels are a requirement for Match. com. :flees: ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/8 "2020-09-19T12:13:30Z")
Would a sulfur supplement enhance the stench of farts? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/9 "2020-09-19T12:35:30Z")
Probably. Might also up the more offensive components of body odor, too. I mean, eggs, onions, garlic, and cabbage are all infamous for inducing highly aromatic bodily emissions. Most of what we perceive as stinky - rotten eggs, skunk spray, etc. - is high in sulfur. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/10 "2020-09-19T13:03:59Z")
I thought perhaps we were talking capsules filled with elemental sulfur. But I see stuff like methylsulfonylmethane: > **[Methylsulfonylmethane](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylsulfonylmethane)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > Dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2) is an organosulfur compound with the formula (CH3)2SO2. It is also known by several other names including methyl sulfone and (especially in alternative medicine) methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). This colorless solid features the sulfonyl functional group and is the simplest of the sulfones. It is relatively inert chemically and is able to resist decomposition at elevated temperatures. It occurs naturally in some primitive plant... ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/11 "2020-09-19T14:04:52Z")
People also take DMSO as a sulfur supplement, which is problematic especially when used as an external cream, since it’s readily absorbed along with facilitating absorption of whatever else you might have applied to your skin (like cosmetics or bug spray), which is not what you need floating around internally. There’s lightweight evidence that MSM (methylsulfonylmethane, not mainstream media) can relieve osteoarthritis pain. Enthusiasts claim it’s effective against a big laundry list of medical problems including “toxic buildup” but evidence is lacking, which explains why the FDA has cracked down on some MSM marketers. Unless one’s diet is unnaturally low in sulfur i.e. some vegan diets, there won’t be a need for sulfur supplementation. Possibly the OP’s doc is concerned about potential supplement interactions with prescription medications. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2020, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/12 "2020-09-20T02:38:38Z")
Sulphites are also found in many wines and salad dressings. As a doctor, I’ve never seen a deficiency or seen someone who wanted supplementation of this. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2020, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/13 "2020-09-20T02:51:11Z")
Wow, … like… my entire diet is made up of sulfur-rich foods. I guess I will not be taking a supplement. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2020, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/14 "2020-09-20T05:58:59Z")
Can’t we just mercifully let this stupid thread die, like it should have from the beginning? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2020, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/15 "2020-09-20T06:10:32Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Can’t we just mercifully let this stupid thread die, like it should have from the beginning?  Or we could kill it by spraying it with a [sulfur pesticide](https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/pesticides/sulfur.aspx). ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2020, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/16 "2020-09-20T06:24:34Z")
@Dr_Paprika So what you’re saying is it’s like Sodium? (I.e., yes, we technically need it, but we’re probably getting too much as it is?) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2020, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/17 "2020-09-20T06:26:01Z")
@panache45 Stupid thread? Nonsense. I think I’m the first person to ask this question. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2020, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/18 "2020-09-20T09:14:13Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > @Dr_Paprika So what you’re saying is it’s like Sodium? (I.e., yes, we technically need it, but we’re probably getting too much as it is?) 🙂 What makes you think you’re getting too much now? ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2020, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/19 "2020-09-20T09:46:26Z")
@Broomstick I just offered that as one hypothetical example, not implying that I personally have a Sodium issue. BTW I wanted to say. I take the sulfa drug Sulfasalazine. Could that be the drug interaction @Jackmannii was alluding to? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2020, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984/20 "2020-09-20T10:19:45Z")
I have no idea. And what I meant to ask was why are worried now that you are getting too much sulfur? I’m just curious why you’re so concerned with sulfur. Or maybe you’re just curious about its role in the body. Frankly, I’ve never heard of either sulfur deficiency or excess in a human being, although like many things I suppose it’s possible. Eat a varied, healthy diet and you won’t have to worry about it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-doesnt-want-me-taking-sulfur-supplements/920984.md?page=2)