Any chance it can CAUSE pain in some people?? I swear I heard about 10 yrs ago that it could. I used to take it but stopped a long time ago.
Now I can't remember if that is why I stopped taking it. (duh)
Kinda need to know. Thanks!! Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Yes it can. It is a sulfur based supplement and some people have a problem with sulfur. I was taking it and some other sulfur based supplements when I had methylation testing that showed a CBS upregulation. My doctor told me to go off immediately. Sulfur based supplements turn into toxins (sulfites and ammonia) in those who have this problem.
There could be other reasons that I'm not aware of. I'm interested in seeing what others have to say.
edited to add: For me it caused burning muscles, eyes, hands, feet and more fatigue. The burning in my muscles made it hard to move without a lot of burning type pain. I don't know if it affects everyone with sulfur issues the same way.
Terry
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Thanks!!!
Is MSM a problem for the same reason then?? I DO take MSM.
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Yes.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
hmmm .. how would I know if I'm sensitive to it? just leave it off and see??
i take glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM combo
when I don't take it I have pain
but .. maybe I could try a glucosamine/chondroitin mix to see if that's even better
Posted by AZURE WISH (Member # 804) on :
I happen to know it is in that sulfate group because it is on the list that can trigger porphyria. (thats what i was told )
The other thing is I dont know if you have any senstivities to any of the "other ingredients" like the capsule or presevatives (i dont think they are required to tell what presevatives are on it completely.
Just a thought.
... actually i am not completely sure that glucosamine chindriotin isnt sulfate. might want to check that out.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
thanks!
Posted by ktkdommer (Member # 29020) on :
Oh, now I am really thinking. Trying to figure out why my joints are worse and my muscles ache. I get lupus enduced type symptoms with sulfur based products. I had no idea alpha lipoic acid had sulfur in it.
What do people take instead of alpha lipoic acid since it is so good for you?
Posted by ktkdommer (Member # 29020) on :
Just found this:
Sulfa Vs. Sulfites Vs. Sulfur Allergies � Confusing Terminology
By Dr. Myatt
SSomeone wrote and asked me about Alpha-lipoic acid, to wit:
"I have had a life long allergic reaction to sulpha � it crystallizes in my urine, making urination difficult. I just started taking ALA as an aide for glaucoma. I am 60 yrs. old.
I understand that ALA is supha based. How should I proceed?
Thank you,
Sal"
Hey Sal, there should be no problem with alpha lipoic acid, and �sulfa� (a drug) does not cause allergic reactions because of the sulfur content. Here�s the scoop.
Sulfur (chemical symbol: S) is a naturally occurring non-metallic element that comprises 0.25% of the human body. It is the 8th most prevalent element in the body. (A)
Elements found in the human body at their approximate amounts: � Oxygen (65%) � Carbon (18%) � Hydrogen (10%) � Nitrogen (3%) � Calcium (1.5%) � Phosphorus (1.0%) � Potassium (0.35%) � Sulfur (0.25%) � Sodium (0.15%) � Magnesium (0.05%) � Copper, Zinc, Selenium, Molybdenum, Fluorine, Chlorine, Iodine, Manganese, Cobalt, Iron (0.70%) � Lithium, Strontium, Aluminum, Silicon, Lead, Vanadium, Arsenic, Bromine (trace amounts)
Sulfur is an essential mineral, meaning that the body MUST have it. Sulfur is found in two amino acids, cysteine and methionine. Methionine is an essential amino acid. (B)
Sulfur is a component of many proteins, vitamins and hormones. Sulfur-containing compounds in humans include methionine, cysteine, homocysteine, cystathione, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), taurine, thiamin, biotin, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), coenzyme A, glutathione (GSH), chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate, fibrinogen, heparin, metallothionein, and inorganic sulfate. (C)
There is no such thing as a sulfur allergy, just as there is no such thing as an allergy to oxygen , carbon or calcium, all of which also occur in the human body in high amounts. Anyone who was truly allergic to sulfur would be dead!
Sulfate (SO4) is a molecule which contains sulfur and oxygen. It occurs in nature and is found in most natural water including rain water. It is also the form of sulfur most commonly used to fertilize plants. (D) Sulfate may have a laxative effect that can lead to dehydration, especially in infants. Adults become �acclimatized� to high sulfate levels. (E).The current U.S. EPA national Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level for sulfate, is 250 mg/L (U.S. EPA, 1990).
Sulfite (SO3) is another molecule that contains sulfur. Sulfite is used on foods and some wines as antioxidants, and can cause asthmatic reactions. Sulfites are rare in medications.
Sulfites are used as preservatives on vegetables, especially vegetables in salad bars. This is probably the most common source of sulfite allergy reactions.
Sulfa drugs (sulfonamide class of antibiotics), contain sulfur but allergies and other reactions are not from the sulfur per se. Rather, the complex sulfonamine molecule can form proteins that are allergenic in some individuals. The sulfur atom is NOT the allergenic agent and being allergic to sulfa drugs does NOT imply having an allergy to sulfur.
Sulfa antibiotics include Septra�, Bactrim� and Pediazole�.
Go ahead, Sal, and take alpha-lipoic acid without concern for your history of sulfa drug allergy. And be sure to look for more in-depth information about proven treatments for glaucoma coming up in the next edition of HealthBeat News.
In Health,
Dr. Myatt
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
ktk, that was very informative. Thanks.
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
The methylation cycle problem has nothing to do with allergies. It is a genetic problem that is likely exacerbtaed by lyme.
You may want to try some sulfur strips to see if your sulfur is too high.
My LLMD had me first check to see if sulfur might be a problem by having me order the sulfur strips from Dr. Yasko's site.
If sulfur is a problem you would be well served to cut down on meat and other foods that exacerbate the ammonia problem and to deal with excess sulfur and ammonia. Yasko has a protocol to deal with it that I've posted here before.
I had forgotten that years ago I read some speculation that ALA may cause redistrubtion of heavy metals including depositing it into the brain. Something to look into.
Terry
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Here is a brief explanation of the problem by another doctor:
If a defect exists it will affect ammonia detoxification because excess sulfur in the body (endogenous or exogenous sources, ie. supplements like MSM, Epsom Salt or medications such as DMPS) can be converted to ammonia."
Also, this defect can affect an enzyme called G6PDH which has negative effects on blood sugar metabolism and red blood cell formation and blood vessel stability (easy bruising, bleeding, broken blood vessels)."
BTW - there is another genetic mutation that causes problems with sulfur but I don't know much about it because I didn't have it. It is called SUOX. You can read about that on her site too if you are interested.
Terry
Posted by NMN (Member # 11007) on :
It is highly likely that if you have a problem with ALA its because it is a highly active chelator of slow pool mercury deposits particularly in the brain and cns. All sulphur based compounds move mercury around so if you have problems with these compounds this is a likely culprit.
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