Unlocking the Power of Sulfur: Nutrition Insights and Medicinal Applications

A vegan diet means only eating plant foods. Many people choose vegan diets because they have health advantages. Recent research summarized here shows vegan diets are linked to getting enough protein and important vitamins. They may also lower risks for some diseases.

Getting Enough Protein

Some worry vegans do not get enough high-quality protein. But studies of vegans in California found they easily met protein needs. Their diets provided all essential amino acids the body requires. On average, vegans got about 16 mg of sulfur amino acids per gram of protein. This meets requirements for most people.

Certain plant foods are high in the sulfur amino acids vegans need. These include corn, sunflower seeds, oats, chocolate, cashews, walnuts, almonds, and sesame seeds. Compared to chicken, corn has a similar sulfur amino acid content by weight of protein.

So with good planning, those on vegan diets can get adequate high-quality protein. Eating enough total protein is key, along with choosing proteins that contain sulfur amino acids.

Benefits Against Disease Risks

Research also shows vegan diets may offer protection against some diseases. For example, vegans tend to have higher antioxidant levels. Antioxidants help counter cell damage by scavenging free radicals in the body.

Studies have linked low antioxidant status to an increased risk of atherosclerosis. This disease causes dangerous plaque buildup in arteries. The high antioxidant intake of vegans may lower their risk.

There is also evidence that optimized sulfur amino acid intake protects the body’s levels of glutathione. This protects cell health. Sulfur amino acid deficiency leads to reduced glutathione production over time.

Those with HIV are at risk for losing higher amounts of sulfur amino acids. This glutathione loss likely impairs their immune defenses. Studies show sulfur supplementation of HIV patients raises glutathione levels. It also improves immune markers like T cell count.

So vegan diets may lower disease risks by providing antioxidants and sulfur nutrients. With smart food choices, vegans can thrive and guard their health.

Parcell S. Sulfur in human nutrition and applications in medicine. Altern Med Rev. 2002 Feb;7(1):22-44. PMID: 11896744.