Balancing CBS defects

Balancing the CBS Metabolic Pathway

Genetic metabolic pathways are essential for life itself and dependent on nutrients, in proper balance, for their function. The CBS pathway is responsible for getting RID of Homocysteine and making cysteine, glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in what is known as the Transsulfuration Pathway. It can be UP-regulated or DOWN-regulated at different times due to epigenetic defects and/or toxin exposure. Balance is the key. The following diets can help bring such balance by regulating the foods that drive it.

It is VERY important to note that there are reasons for these pathways to be imbalanced that include: toxic metals (HMT), chronic infections (Lyme, Candida, H. Pylori…), Gut dysbiosis (food allergies, consuming GMO foods, antibiotic use…), imbalanced diets, chronic stress, and many others. Addressing complete lifestyle changes is of UTMOST importance!

Balancing an UP-regulated CBS Pathway Variant

When the CBS pathway is UP-regulated, the patient may have very different symptoms such as the following:

• Halitosis
• Bowel disorders
• Sulfur-smelling flatulence
• Intolerance to sulfur-containing foods (garlic, onions,
• Dizzy upon rising
• Hypotension
• Hypo Homocysteine
• Down’s Syndrome

1. Start with a TRIAL elimination of sulfur/thiol-containing foods and supplements as listed below. ONLY do this for a few days while CAREFULLY monitoring symptoms. Report to us ANY change in symptoms. NOTE: this is NOT a diet to stay on long term (just for a few days). You will then want to add ONE sulfur/thiol food back at a time.
2. You may feel either better or worse – let us know immediately. If you feel better, you still do NOT want to stay on this diet! After a few days you want to add ONE food back to your diet and gauge symptoms. Then slowly add more over the next few weeks. If you feel worse, stop immediately.
3. NOTE: During pregnancy, the CBS pathway is naturally up-regulated, especially in the first trimester. This may partly account for the nausea and morning sickness. It may be helpful to increase PROTEIN intake and Vitamin B6 at this time.

Foods high in sulfur groups to TRIAL ELIMINATE:

• Artichokes, Jerusalem but not French
• Asparagus
• Bean sprouts
• Beans of all sorts
• Broccoli
• Brussel sprouts
• Buckwheat
• Cabbage
• Carob
• Cauliflower
• Cheese of all sorts
• Chives
• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Cream
• Dairy products
• Eggs
• Garlic
• Green beans
• Greens
• Horseradish
• Kale
• Leeks
• Lentils of all sorts
• Milk from any animal
• Mustard
• Onions
• Peas
• Peanuts
• Radishes
• Rutabaga
• Sauerkraut
• Shallots
• Sour cream
• Spinach
• Split peas
• Turnip
• Quinoa
• Whey
• Yeast extract

Also,

• Watch out for foods that have garlic and onion powders added e.g. processed meats like hot dogs.
• Meat is also high in sulfur, but most people tolerate it well due to low thiol level and it depends upon how sensitive you are. If you need to limit meat, then you would also need to supplement amino acids, especially glutamine (UNLESS you have Cancer). This also helps to heal the gut lining.

Supplements high in sulfur groups – TRIAL ELIMINATE

• ALA (Alpha Lipoic Acid).
• Bromelain and papain (use enzymes derived from animals)
• Chlorella
• Chondroitin / Glucosamine
• Cysteine
• Dairy source acidophilus,
• DMSO
• Garlic
• Glutathione
• MSM
• NAC
• Methionine (converts down into cysteine)

Foods low in sulfur groups or FOODS YOU CAN EAT unless you have an allergy/sensitivity:

• Almond milk
• Apples
• Artichokes
• Avocado
• Bacon
• Bananas
• Barley
• Beef
• Beets
• Berries
• Bilberry extract
• Bulgur wheat
• Butter
• Cantaloupe
• Carrots
• Celery
• Chicken dark meat
• Chicken liver
• Cinnamon
• Clams
• Cod liver oil
• Corn
• Cucumber
• Dates
• Dried fish
• Flounder
• Ginger root
• Grapefruit
• Ham
• Herbs
• Honey
• Honeydew melon
• Jerky
• Kiwi
• Lemons
• Lettuce
• Limes
• Mushrooms
• Oats
• Peaches
• Pears
• Peppers
• Pepperoni
• Pork
• Potatoes
• Rice
• Salmon
• Seeds – sunflower, linseeds, pumpkinseeds, flax
• Shellfish
• Shrimp
• Squashes - acorn, butternut spaghetti, summer, winter, yellow crooked neck, zucchini
• Sweet potato
• Tomatoes
• Tuna
• Turkey
• Vinegar (white)
• Watermelon
• Yams
• Zucchini

Balancing a DOWN-regulated CBS Pathway Variant

When the CBS pathway is DOWN-regulated, the patient may have very different symptoms such as the following:

• Difficult respiration (including asthma symptoms, though asthma usually includes a histamine issue)
• Sensitivity to formaldehyde (building products, new carpeting…)
• Neurological disorders
• Dementia, early dementia symptoms
• Spectrum disorders
• Cardiovascular disorders
• Hypertension
• Increased Homocysteine
• Chronic ulcers

Supplements high in sulfur/thiol groups – TO CONSIDER:

• ALA (Alpha Lipoic Acid or Thioctic Acid).
• Bromelain and papain (use enzymes derived from animals)
• Chlorella,
• Chondroitin / Glucosamine
• Cysteine
• Dairy source acidophilus,
• DMSO,
• Extracts of the high sulfur foods,
• Garlic
• Glutathione
• MSM
• NAC,
• Methionine (converts down into cysteine)
• Turmeric is really good at raising thiol levels.

Other Supplements that help drive the CBS pathway:

• Vitamin B6
• P-5-P (activated Vitamin B 6)
• MTHF support to increase SAM production
• Serine and Cysteine