Study on sulphur baths for cardiovascular risk factors

Valentin Leibetseder et al.

May 2004

Healing & thermal therapy

Heart / Circulatory system

Plasma homocysteine (tHcy) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and has also been associated with antioxidant status. In addition, balneotherapeutic sulfur baths have been shown to influence antioxidant status .

40 patients with degenerative osteoarthritis were randomized into two equal groups for this study under Valentin Leibetseder et al : a treatment group that received inpatient spa treatment plus daily sulfur baths (sulfur group), and a control group that received only spa treatment (control group). Blood levels of tHcy and urine levels of 8-OHdG (an indicator of oxidative stress) were measured at the beginning and end of the spa treatment.

tHcy (micromol/l) was significantly reduced in the sulphur group, while it increased insignificantly in the control group. 8-OHdG (ng 8-OHdG/mg creatinine) decreased in the sulphur group and increased in the control group. The differences between the two groups showed significant effects of sulfur baths on tHcy, but not on 8-OHdG.

Sulfur baths have beneficial effects on plasma tHcy , while effects on 8-OHdG seem unlikely.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Cardiovascular risk factors
Institution: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, Vienna A-1090, Austria
Title: Study on the effect of sulphur baths on cardiovascular risk factors
Brief description: The study shows that sulphur baths lower the tHcy level and thus have a positive influence on cardiovascular risk factors.
Original title: Improving homocysteine levels through balneotherapy: effects of sulphur baths
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15115681/