However. there is  clear evidence that pathways in the body are affected by the overwhelming onslaught of toxins and that this contributes to  the breakdown of health. There is a  a wealth of scientific and biochemical evidence that is outside the scope of this piece, but there are two major pathways involved in eliminating  of toxins from the body : methylation and sulfation.

Among these are SAM-e, Choline, Methionine, TMG,  DMG, MSM, folic acid, B6 and B12. The Standard American Diet is generally deficient in these, particularly the B vitamins which are found chiefly in unprocessed foods, fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are plentifully supplied with many factors such as phenols and cyanidins, which have beneficial and protective effects (absent pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and other possible -cides) .

Methyl groups play a critical role in controlling genes involved in prenatal and postnatal development. (http://people.ccmr.cornell.edu/~ginsparg/Phys446-546/fa03/nyt07oct03epi.html)

Research into DNA synthesis strongly suggests that the presence of sufficient methyl groups keeps genes inactive, while low levels can switch gene transcription on.A deficiency of  methyl groups may lower the threshold for carcinogenesis.(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6825170&dopt=Abstract) The presence of sufficient amounts of methyl groups is also key to controlling levels of homocysteine in the body, high levels of which are implicated in heart disease, as well as such neuro-degenerative problems as MS and Parkinson's. This is because methyl groups are essential both for proper nerve transmission, and for the formation and maintenance of the myelin sheath that covers and protects nerve cells.

The heavy metals cadmium, mercury and lead steal methyl groups from the body. Cadmium enters our systems from many unsuspected sources, such as plastic wrappers on our foods, olive oil bought in galvanized cans, ice trays and even cola drinks. Mercury is present in such diverse things as air conditioner filters, tattooing inks, lawn pesticides and fabric softeners. Lead is the best known culprit of these three for its presence in paint, but did you know it can also be found in some foil wrapped chocolates, some Italian wines, and cigarette smoke?

 Antioxidants are the nutrients which quench free radicals in our body. Free radicals are the end result of almost anything involving oxygen, therefore heavy metals rob our bodies of antioxidants. Dr. Lester Packer, the guru of oxygen metabolism, compares a free radical to a hot potato: imagine yourself standing in a circle, passing a hot potato from hand to hand. As long as it keeps moving, nobody gets hurt. But when there is no one to pass it to, someone gets burned. Its the same with free radicals: the heavy metals and the oxygen molecules are moving an unpaired electron around, and if there is nowhere for it go, it will damage any membrane or cell it comes into contact with. As long as antioxidants such as C, E, Alpha Lipoic Acid and ultimately, Glutathione, are available for the rogue electron to be handed off to, the body is safe. These nutrients rely heavily on a good diet for adequate supply, and again, the Standard American Diet supplies only very inadequate amounts.

It is interesting to look back in history, and acknowledge the instinctive wisdom that led to the establishment of Spas in places that had waters high in sulfur, and also Dr. Hahnemann's inspired realization that made sulfur one of the founding remedies of homeopathy: what he called one of the great "polycrests", meaning a remedy that has a great number of health applications,  with particular application for skin problems.

These days, we do not have to rely on instinct to learn what various substances can do for us, and the role of sulfur is now comprehensively tracked: it is the sixth most abundant element in our body, with strong metabolic parallels to oxygen, yet arguably its most important job is to make many of the toxins we are exposed to water soluble, so that they can be excreted from the body.

In these highly polluted times, the demands this places on sulfur stores means that often sulfur compounds are less available for important metabolic functions. Among these,

• sulfur is needed to assist the body's use of thyroid hormones,
• to excrete the water soluble metabolites of deconjugated hormones (estrogens circulate almost exclusively as sulfate esters, as does DHEA), and
• to support gallbladder function: low sulfur is something one should always consider where gallbladder disease is present.

 A little understood health problem is disturbance of the acid/alkaline balance of the body, or its pH level. A little background may be in order. Water is considered neutral at a pH of 7. Anything under that is increasingly acid, anything over - increasingly alkaline. The human body is designed to operate at a pH of between 6.0 and 6.8.( I am not speaking of blood pH here, which is regulated strictly by the body, but of saliva and urinary pH).  Disturbances in this balance on the acid side of the ledger result in such problems as arthritis, migraines, insomnia, water retention, muscle cramps and parasitic infections.

Interestingly, people who are highly acidic tend to sigh frequently, have low blood pressure, burning in the mouth, sensitive gums and bumps on the tongue. ( This may provide a clue to your position on the scale, but an easy way to find out for sure is to purchase pH strips, and check your urine.)

 When I add that adrenal exhaustion (often caused by stress) and a diet high in sugars, animal products and dairy foods are two of the major causes of acidity, you will realize that this is a widespread problem. Add to this that the cells of the body rigorously protect their pH level, and that this level regulates the exchange of nutrients within the cell as well as the unloading of toxins - you can see that maintaining proper pH levels is one of the key elements of homeostasis in the human body. 

Sulfur is a key component of important amino acids (methionine and cysteine, important for detoxification of the blood, and taurine, which acts as a "dock" for sulfur), and of the antioxidant glutathione. It is also important for the construction of collagen, and therefore for joint support, and for healthy skin and hair. It is widely found in foods, but unfortunately is also highly susceptible to destruction by heat: the cabbage family, garlic & onions, meats, soybeans and eggs, fish and beans - all have rich supplies of sulfur - but who eats them raw?

First, improve your diet - and on the principle of keeping your powder dry - it might not hurt to take MSM as a supplement, too.  I add a little of the powdered form to my morning power drink.

A simple and elegant equation with a solution we can take steps to apply in order to protect against the diseases that often come with aging, and also to possibly stave off the terminal event of our lives a little longer:

• eat better, because the right foods are the foundation of health,
• take supplements where necessary to ensure optimal supplies,
• become knowledgeable about common sources of toxins so that you can avoid them,
• protect yourself against toxins, and take the time to detoxify yourself regularly.

Long life to us all, and may we enjoy it to the very end.

Stanley Jacob's Definitive Guide to MSM, Arthritis and Allergies

(http://www.amazon.com/MSM-Definitive-Guide-Nutritional-Breakthrough/dp/1893910229/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274212106&sr=8-1)