Sulfites, Sulfate, And Sulfur?

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What is sulfur allergy? Allergies to Sulfur, Sulfites, Sulfur & Sulfates! Are You Allergic to Sulfur? Are you allergic to Sulfa, Sulfite, sulfate, or Sulfur? There is quite a bit of confusion about the difference between them. Many people think if they are allergic to sulfa drugs or have had reactions to sulfites in foods and thus think it is necessary for them to avoid dietary supplements containing sulfates or sulfur such as glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and organic sulfur. In this article, I am going to explain the difference between these four substances and hopefully it will clear up some of the confusion. Sulfa Drugs (Sulfonamides) Sulfa drug is any member of a group of synthetic antibiotics containing the sulfanilamide …show more content…

Sulfa (sulfonamide) drugs do contain sulfur, but the allergic reaction is not because of sulfur itself. It is because of the actions of the sulfonamide molecule and potentially trigger an allergic response. Sulfites (also Sulfur Dioxide) Sulfites refer to a group of chemicals that include sulfur dioxide and sulfite salts. Sulfites are naturally occurring sulfur containing molecules that occur in the fermentation process, such as red wines. Sulfites are also chemicals used as preservatives to prevent browning and discoloration in foods and beverages during preparation, storage, and distribution. They aren’t used on most fresh foods, but they’re still used in some cooked and processed foods. Sulfites don’t cause problems for the vast majority of people, but about one in every hundred people is sensitive or allergic to them. Sulfites are not the same as sulfa drugs. A sulfite reaction is different from a sulfa drug allergy because sulfites and sulfonamides are entirely different chemicals and have unrelated mechanisms of …show more content…

Sulfates are very important molecules for everyone’s health and do not cause allergic or sensitivity reactions. Thay are used as escort molecules for a number of supplements including glucosamine sulfate and vanadyl sulfate. They are also used in a variety of common products and processes. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a strong detergent used for removing oils and grease and is found in many household cleaning products, face and body washes and shampoos. Many people choose to avoid "sulfates" because they can be overly drying to some hairtypes and strip the cuticle of its natural oils and cause scalp irritation. Sulfates are different from sulfites and sulfa drugs, and people who are sensitive to sulfites or sulfa drugs should not be sensitive to sulfates. Sulfur Sulfur is found in the cells of all living organisms and plays a critical role in the oxygenation and detoxification of all cells. It is one of the basic building blocks used throughout the body to make a variety of chemicals such as enzymes, collagen, amino acids, hormones, neurotransmitters, and much more. Sulfur is mainly found in the body in amino acids (such as methionine and cysteine) as well as connective

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