06/06/2026
You can eat healthy, take all the "right" supplements, and still react completely differently than someone else.
Why?
Because your genetics influence how your body processes nutrients, toxins, and even naturally occurring compounds in food.
One example is the SUOX gene.
🧬 SUOX (Sulfite Oxidase) helps convert sulfites into sulfates. Sulfates are the form the body can safely use and eliminate.
This process is important because sulfites are produced from:
• Sulfur-containing foods (garlic, onions, eggs, cruciferous vegetables)
• Certain supplements (glutathione, NAC, MSM, Epsom salts)
• Preservatives in some foods and beverages
• Natural detoxification pathways
When SUOX isn't functioning optimally, sulfites may build up faster than they're being converted.
For some people, that can contribute to symptoms such as:
➡ Headaches
➡ Brain fog
➡ Fatigue
➡ Flushing
➡ Increased sensitivity to sulfur-containing foods or supplements
➡ Digestive issues
Having a SUOX variant doesn't mean sulfur is bad or that you should avoid all high sulfur supplements. It just means you may need additional support to process sulfur efficiently.
This is why genetics matter.
Two people can take the exact same supplement and have completely different experiences because their bodies process it differently.
Your symptoms are often clues and your genetics can help explain what's happening in your body to cause them.
💡It's important to note, that just because you may have these variants, doesn't necessarily mean you'll experience these symptoms. It's why it's important to put genetics together with symptoms and other foundational functional labs.
