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Why You Should Add More Sulphurous Veggies To Your Diet Dr Tery Wahls paleo diet primal-min

Why You Should Add More Sulphurous Veggies To Your Diet

I hadn't given much thought to sulphurous veggies, until reading about the Dr. Terry Wahls protocol. Dr Terry Wahls reversed her multiple sclerosis in part, by modifying her diet. She recommends eating 3 cups of leafy greens, 3 cups of antioxidants and 3 cups of sulfurous veggies every day.

What’s so special about sulfur and why should we eat more?

It might smells like rotten eggs, but sulphur is found all throughout our body in the connective tissues such as nerve cells, skin, hair and nails. It’s therefore essential that we can replenish the sulphur in our bodies – and what better way than eating sulfurous veggies?

So which vegetables are good sources of sulphur?

Broccoli

Broccoli is the top vegetable in the list of sulphurous vegetables. This cabbage is rich in the sulfur glucoraphanin. As soon as broccoli is chewed on or cut, the glucoraphanin is transformed into sulforaphane.

Other cabbages

Like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, red cabbage and all the other forms of cabbage, are sulfurous vegetables. They contain organic sulphurous substances and are packed with vitamins.

Vitamin U, or cabagin, can be found in cabbages too, another reason to eat more cabbage. Cabbages are also rich in indoles, which help regulate estrogen metabolism. What is there not to love?!

Why You Should Add More Sulphurous Veggies To Your Diet Dr Tery Wahls paleo diet primal-min

Garlic

Garlic is probably the most used medicinal plant in history. Garlic works as an anticoagulant, which decreases the silting of platelets and inhibits the formation of blood clots.

Garlic also helps the immune system. The different sulfur compounds have antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic and antifungal properties.

Asparagus

As well as being a great source of sulphur, asparagus is rich in glutathione.

Other Sulphurous Vegetables

Chicory, endive and onions are also good sources of sulfur.

How to eat more sulfurous veggies?

You can eat these vegetable raw or cooked, so try adding to salads, or using for a green smoothie. Keep you fridge stocked with prepared veggies, to make it easy to add them to your meals.

The Detoxifying Power of Sulphurous Vegetables

One of the most compelling reasons to include more sulphurous vegetables in your diet is their powerful detoxifying capabilities. Cruciferous and allium vegetables are known to activate phase II liver detoxification pathways, which are essential for neutralising and eliminating toxins from the body. This is especially important in modern life, where we’re frequently exposed to environmental pollutants, additives, and synthetic chemicals.

Compounds like sulforaphane (from broccoli) and allicin (from garlic) help boost your body’s natural detox defences. They work by increasing levels of glutathione, the body's master antioxidant. This antioxidant binds to toxins and helps flush them out, keeping your system clean and resilient.

Supporting Joint Health and Inflammation Reduction

Sulphur is a major component of connective tissue, particularly in compounds like glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate. These naturally occurring substances help maintain the health of your joints and cartilage. Increasing your dietary intake of sulphur-rich foods may therefore support joint comfort and mobility — especially important if you suffer from stiffness, arthritis, or physical fatigue.

Moreover, the anti-inflammatory nature of these vegetables can’t be overstated. Chronic inflammation is at the root of many degenerative conditions, from autoimmune disorders to cardiovascular disease. Including a range of sulphurous vegetables each day can help calm inflammation and protect tissues from oxidative damage.

Boosting Immunity Naturally

Sulphur-containing compounds are also critical in supporting the immune system. Vegetables like onions, leeks, garlic, and shallots contain natural antibiotics in the form of allicin and other sulphur-rich molecules. These substances can inhibit harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi — making your diet an integral part of your body’s first line of defence.

Incorporating garlic and onion into your meals regularly not only adds flavour but also contributes to better immune resilience during cold and flu season. Try roasting whole garlic cloves, blending them into dressings, or stirring chopped onions through soups and slow-cooked dishes.

Sulphur and Skin Health

Did you know that sulphur is sometimes called “nature’s beauty mineral”? That’s because it plays an essential role in the structure of keratin and collagen, the proteins that support healthy skin, hair, and nails. Sulphur also helps combat acne and skin irritations by reducing inflammation and supporting detoxification pathways that prevent build-up of waste products beneath the skin.

If you’re dealing with eczema, acne, rosacea or even dull skin, increasing your intake of vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and spring onions might help improve skin clarity and tone over time.

Simple Ways to Add More Sulphurous Veggies

Adding these nutritional powerhouses to your plate doesn’t need to be a chore. Here are some easy and delicious ideas:

  • Stir-fry magic: Quickly fry chopped bok choy, cabbage, or Brussels sprouts in coconut oil with ginger and garlic.
  • Oven-roasted goodness: Roast cauliflower florets with turmeric and a little olive oil for a crispy side dish.
  • Smoothie boost: Add a few leaves of kale or a handful of spinach to your morning green smoothie — you won’t even taste it.
  • Soups and stews: Add leeks, garlic, and onion to the base of hearty winter soups and stews for an extra sulphur-rich kick.
  • Fermented favourites: Sauerkraut and kimchi, both made from cabbage, add a probiotic-rich punch and support gut health as well.

Do You Need to Worry About Too Much Sulphur?

For most people, the answer is no. Sulphur from whole food sources is generally safe and beneficial. However, if you’re sensitive to FODMAPs — fermentable carbohydrates found in many sulphurous vegetables — you may experience bloating or discomfort. If that’s the case, start with small amounts of cooked vegetables and observe how your body reacts.

Cooking cruciferous vegetables helps break down some of the more difficult-to-digest compounds, making them gentler on sensitive tummies while still providing plenty of nutritional benefits.

Sulphurous Veggies and Hormone Balance

Another fascinating benefit of these vegetables lies in their impact on hormonal health. Cruciferous vegetables are rich in compounds that support the liver’s role in metabolising oestrogen. This can help balance hormones, particularly in women dealing with oestrogen dominance, PMS, or perimenopausal symptoms.

By aiding the clearance of excess oestrogen from the body, sulphur-rich vegetables contribute to a more balanced hormonal profile, potentially easing symptoms like bloating, irritability, and irregular cycles.

Making it a Daily Habit

If the Dr Wahls protocol recommends three cups of sulphurous vegetables daily, how can you make that goal achievable? Prepping ahead is key. Spend a little time each weekend chopping and storing your favourite options so you can grab and go. Steamed broccoli or Brussels sprouts keep well in the fridge and make an easy side for lunch or dinner.

You could also aim to include one sulphurous vegetable at every meal. Add spring onions to your breakfast omelette, a side of red cabbage slaw with lunch, and a big serve of stir-fried greens with garlic at dinner. Once you build the habit, it becomes second nature — and your body will thank you for it.

Have You Noticed a Difference?

Whether you’re aiming to reduce inflammation, support detox, balance your hormones, or simply improve your skin, sulphurous vegetables are a powerful and natural addition to your diet. Many people report better digestion, fewer skin issues, and even improved mood after incorporating more of these into their meals consistently.

How much do sulphurous veggies play a role in your diet? Have you tried the Dr Terry Wahls protocol? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Dr Terry Wahls Paleo Diet Multiple Sclerosis-min

Paleo & Multiple Sclerosis

2 Comments

I've been reading a lot about Dr Terry Wahls recently. Dr Wahls was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2000 and immediately went on a quest to learn as much as she could about the chronic neurodegenerative disease – and how she could delay what seemed to be the inevitable decline to the illness.

After extensive research and experimentation she started eating essentially a Paleo diet, ensuring this included nine cups of non-starchy vegetables and berries each day. This diet ensures 45 nutrients, that appear to be essential to the brain, are consumed in sufficient quantities. Of course, a standard western diet is woefully deficient in these nutrients.  Over time she reversed her MS; an amazing achievement.

multiple sclerosis dr terry wahls sydney

It doesn't seem to be any great surprise that a diet of natural, real food can transform many diseases. But I was surprised to see MS Australia fundraising earlier this week – by selling cupcakes! I'm sure they sell well and I realise the people they are selling them to don’t have Multiple Sclerosis. But you wouldn't see a lung cancer charity fund raising by selling lighters. It surprises me to see so many charities fund raising by selling products that clearly don’t help with the condition.

Can Diet Influence Chronic Disease Outcomes?

Dr Terry Wahls' recovery story has sparked a much-needed conversation about the power of food as medicine. While her journey with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is remarkable, it also raises broader questions. How many other chronic conditions, currently managed with medication alone, might improve — or even reverse — with dietary intervention?

More and more, we’re seeing examples where real, nutrient-dense food is a missing piece in the chronic illness puzzle. Autoimmune conditions, in particular, seem to respond positively to dietary changes, often because food has a direct influence on inflammation, gut health, and cellular function — all key players in immune system regulation.

The Wahls Protocol: A Closer Look

The Wahls Protocol, as it has come to be known, is a modified Paleo diet structured around delivering optimal levels of key nutrients to the brain and mitochondria. It’s built around three main goals: reducing inflammation, restoring cellular energy, and rebuilding resilience. The cornerstones of the protocol include:

  • 9 cups of vegetables and berries per day — broken down into leafy greens, deeply coloured vegetables, and sulphur-rich vegetables like broccoli and onions
  • Grass-fed meat, wild fish, and organ meats — to supply omega-3s, B vitamins, iron, and coenzyme Q10
  • Fermented foods and bone broth — for gut health and immune support
  • Exclusion of gluten, dairy, legumes, and refined sugar

This protocol goes beyond food. It includes targeted supplementation, stress reduction, functional movement, and electrical stimulation of muscles — all designed to support the body's innate healing systems.

Why the Paleo Approach Works for Autoimmunity

Autoimmune diseases like MS, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus often stem from or are exacerbated by chronic inflammation and gut permeability (sometimes referred to as “leaky gut”). The Paleo diet, by cutting out processed foods, gluten, and gut irritants, creates an environment where the gut can heal and inflammation can subside.

Additionally, by reintroducing nourishing, whole foods — including a high intake of vegetables, quality proteins, and healthy fats — the Paleo diet naturally supports hormone balance, mitochondrial function, and immune modulation. For many, it represents a sustainable way to take control of their health without relying exclusively on pharmaceuticals.

The Gap Between Research and Practice

Despite mounting anecdotal evidence and case studies, mainstream healthcare systems remain cautious about recommending dietary changes like the Wahls Protocol. One reason is the challenge of conducting large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutrition studies. Another is the powerful influence of pharmaceutical and food industries, which dominate both research funding and public health messaging.

Until more clinical trials are published — and there are some in the works — patients are often left to research and experiment on their own, or find support in functional medicine and integrative health circles.

Diet vs Donations: A Conflict of Messaging?

Many people were understandably shocked to see a charity linked to Multiple Sclerosis fundraising through cupcake sales. While well-intentioned, this approach sends a confusing message. How can we raise money for conditions so intimately linked with inflammation and immune dysfunction by selling inflammatory, sugar-laden treats?

It highlights the disconnect between conventional disease messaging and emerging evidence around lifestyle and diet. Imagine if fundraising efforts instead promoted nutrient-dense meal kits, free dietary education sessions, or online programs to help people implement real food changes. That would not only raise money — it would also raise awareness and improve outcomes.

From Surviving to Thriving: The Lifestyle Approach

One of the most compelling aspects of Dr Wahls’ story is not just that she managed her MS — but that she rebuilt her life. From lying in a tilt-recline wheelchair to riding her bike around the block again, her transformation is a testament to the body’s resilience when given the right inputs.

And it’s not just MS. There are countless stories of people reducing medication or achieving remission from conditions like Hashimoto’s, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and even type 2 diabetes after adopting a real-food lifestyle. Of course, every case is different, and dietary change isn’t a guarantee — but for many, it’s a powerful foundation to build upon.

Why Aren’t More Doctors Talking About This?

Medical education still devotes surprisingly little time to nutrition. While doctors are highly trained in diagnostics and pharmacology, they often lack the tools to help patients implement lasting lifestyle changes. This creates a gap where chronic disease is managed but not necessarily improved.

The good news is that more health professionals are embracing integrative approaches. Functional medicine doctors, holistic nutritionists, and health coaches are helping bridge that gap, working alongside traditional care to support whole-body healing. As awareness spreads, we’re likely to see more collaboration between disciplines and more personalised, food-first approaches to chronic conditions.

Is the Wahls Protocol Right for You?

If you or someone you love is dealing with an autoimmune condition, the Wahls Protocol may be worth exploring. It’s important to approach dietary changes mindfully — especially if medications are involved. Starting with basic Paleo principles can be a manageable first step, gradually increasing vegetable intake and reducing processed foods.

Keep in mind that this isn’t about perfection. Even incremental changes — like replacing sugary snacks with nourishing fats, or adding a daily cup of leafy greens — can make a meaningful difference over time. And if you notice improvements, that’s often motivation enough to keep going.

Final Thoughts: Food Is More Than Fuel

Dr Terry Wahls' journey reminds us that food is not just calories — it’s information. Every bite communicates with our cells, genes, and immune system. When we choose real, nutrient-dense food, we send the message that healing is possible.

Whether you’re facing a chronic condition or simply striving for vibrant health, the takeaway is the same: never underestimate the power of what you put on your plate. The path to wellness may not be easy, but with the right foundation, it is absolutely possible.

 

What do you think about Dr Terry Wahls protocol and her recovery?