"Dr. Brasco is one of the leading natural medicine gastroenterogists in the country.

COMMENT By J. Brasco MD:

The association between disease and alterations in gut microbes has long been attested to in the area of natural medicine. Research in conventional medicine has finally recognized this relationship and has thus produced some very exciting results. The article by Ms. Vines highlights the potential role of sulfur consuming bacteria in colonic disease. While quite interesting, this article is directed to a nonprofessional audience and thus many of her statements will have to be corroborated by reference back to the original scientific material.


However, in general terms, after reading this piece one might conclude that avoidance of sulfur containing foods would be beneficial to one's health. While I completely support avoiding processed foods and foods preserved with sulfur, to avoid foods that contain natural sources of sulfur, i.e. meats, poultry, seeds, legumes, onions, eggs, garlic, etc. is something I do NOT support. Natural medicine has long recognized the importance of sulfur containing foods as a vital part of a healthful diet. Sulfur containing compounds and amino acids are crucial for healthy joints, hair and nails, proper immune function and insulin homeostasis, just to name a few.


It has instead been my experience that starches and sugars are more culpable in giving rise to gut dysbiosis then the aforementioned sulfur containing foods. When patients follow a dietary program, which emphasizes grain and starch restriction, symptoms usually associated with dysbiosis (including yeast overgrowth) quickly dissipate.


One last point of contention with Ms. Vines article is her association of meat consumption and colon cancer. While this association is often just assumed by most individuals, epidemiological data has not always borne this out as true. In a study by Franceschi et. al. (Int. J. Cancer 72.56-61 (1997)) she examined the dietary habits of over 2000 patients with colorectal cancer as compared to 4000 controls.

What this study demonstrated was a negative correlation with coffee, tea, vegetables, and fish; no association with meats and eggs; and a positive correlation (i.e., increased risk of cancer) with the consumption of breads, cereals, potatoes, cakes, desserts and refined sugars. The etiology of this association is likely twofold. First the hyperinsulinemia promoted by starches and sugar has been shown to have a potential carcinogenic effect and secondly these foods also promote dysbiosis, which in turn may promote malignancy.


In conclusion, sulphur-containing bacteria may turn out to play a significant role in human disease, but I would still focus on grains, starches and refined sugars as the primary promoters of deleterious alterations in gut microbes."


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