Dear Blog Readers,
Recently, a friend of mine came to me worried about her friend’s son. This poor mom had been to all kinds of doctors, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, homeopaths and naturapaths. Nothing this woman tried helped. She had him on anti-depressents which never worked. His behavior was unchanged. She was so discouraged. She worried endlessly what would happen when he grew up. Would his behavior get him in horrible trouble as he became older? How could this ever be resolved?
He exhibited a great deal of rage over simple, insignificant things. As a 13-year-old teenager, he was becoming increasingly difficult to handle. She dreaded each school morning just trying to get him out of bed. One minute he was sweet, the next minute he had a mood swing that took him into a rage. He threw tantrums in school, threw chairs and hated himself for his behavior
So I asked her if he had ever had a serious trauma at an early age. My friend seemed to remember that he had. However, whether or not he had had any trauma, it seemed to me that her son may have something called Pyroluria. Most doctors will not tell you about this because it is possible that many of them are not familiar with this most basic chemical imbalance. What is Pyroluria?
“Pyroluria: How Pyrroles Affect Physical and Mental Health
Pyroluria is a genetically acquired chemical imbalance in which the body produces an abnormally large number of pyrroles. A pyrolle is a chemical consisting of a 5 membered aromatic ring. These chemicals are the byproduct of hemoglobin synthesis and have no known function in the body; they are normally excreted in the urine. Most people have very few pyrroles in their system at any given time; certain individuals, however, have an unusually high number of pyrroles in their bodies, resulting in a condition known as pyroluria.
Also known as Mauve Factor (due to the mauve color visible on testing paper during urinalysis) or pyrrole disorder, pyroluria occurs when the pyrroles bind to pyroxidine (vitamin B6) and zinc, causing these vital nutrients to be excreted from the body in large amounts.
Deficiencies of B6 and zinc are associated with a wide range of emotional and psychiatric problems. Nervousness, extreme irritability, anxiety, depression, short-term memory problems, and explosive anger have all been linked to pyroluria. A large percentage of patients with psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia exhibit high levels of pyroles; alcoholics and emotionally disturbed children also tend to have an abnormally high pyrrole count.
In addition, zinc deficiencies have been associated with a number of physiological disorders, including poor immune function, poor growth, and delayed sexual development. Because zinc and B6 are so important to both our overall physical and mental health, identifying and treating this devastating condition is critical.
Symptoms of Pyroluria
Individuals with pyroluria exhibit a wide range of physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms; some common characteristics of pyrolurics are described here:
- Schizophrenia;
- ADHD
- Autism;
- Bipolar disorder;
- Anxiety (including panic attacks);
- Depression;
- Alcoholism;
- Poor dream recall;
- Low tolerance for stress;
- Antisocial behavior;
- Behavioral problems (especially in children and teenagers) such as oppositional/defiant disorder;
- Emotional instability, explosive temper;
- Frequent joint pain;
- Frequent infections;
- Poor appetite, especially in the morning;
- Low tolerance for protein - tend to favor vegetarian diets;
- Pale complexion, inability to tan;
- White flecks on the fingernails;
- Nausea, motion sickness;
- Hypoglycemia;
- Allergies;
- Fatigue
- Crowded teeth and poor quality of the tooth enamel;
- Retracted gums;
- Sweet or fruity-smelling breath and sweat.
- PTSD*
*I have added Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to this list, because these individuals have suffered a trauma which alters something chemical in the body. Psychotherapy does not routinely stop the sheer volume of adrenaline, which shoots into a person’s body when the slightest thing sets them off. There are merely supplements. It’s worth a try!
Testing and Diagnosis
With such a wide range of symptoms, pyroluria is frequently misdiagnosed, and therefore often treated inappropriately. While patients exhibiting certain symptoms such as depression and anxiety often experience some degree of relief from antidepressant medications, these effects are temporary and do not resolve the underlying problem.
Proper identification of pyroluria is critical to its successful treatment; individuals with the disorder often experience immediate improvement of their symptoms once a treatment plan has been implemented.
Pyroluria testing typically consists of laboratory analysis of the urine for kryptopyrroles. Metabolic testing can detect elevated pyrrole levels, a positive indicator for the disease, as well as deficiencies in certain nutrients that are necessary for brain health.
Treatment of Pyroluria
Pyrolurics generally respond very well to nutritional treatments which emphasize zinc and B6 supplementation. Many patients experience some degree of relief within several days of treatment, and most undergo substantial recovery within 3 to 6 months. However, it is important to remember that treating this disease is an ongoing, lifelong process; those who discontinue treatment typically experience a near-immediate return of their symptoms.
Because treatment for pyroluria is nutritional, rather than pharmacological, some adjustment may be necessary to determine the correct amount of zinc and B6 supplementation on an individual basis. Pyroluria supplements also contain several other nutrients in order to provide the most effective treatment:
- Manganese: This vital nutrient is depleted when zinc is taken at the high levels necessary for treating pyroluria. Manganese is necessary for the metabolism of certain proteins; it is also important to joint development and neurotransmitter production.
- Magnesium: Taking B6 in large amounts can deplete magnesium levels; adding magnesium can reduce irritability and hypersensitivity to light and sound.
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): This nutrient is necessary for the production of tryptophan, which in turn is necessary for the production of serotonin. Taking niacinamide helps to speed the pyroluria recovery process.
- Vitamin C and Pantothenic Acid: These nutrients help to rebuild adrenal glands that have been exhausted from coping with the ongoing tension caused by pyroluria; adding them to pyroluria supplements allows patients to overcome the weakness and fatigue they often feel.
The symptoms of pyroluria are frequently mistaken for signs of other illnesses; all too often, doctors prescribe medications to treat the overt symptoms without taking the time to further investigate their root cause. With the appropriate lab testing, your health care provider can determine the core problem. Once a pyrrole disorder has been identified, you will be able to take the measures necessary to correct the problem, improving your health and your overall quality of life.” From Integrative Psychiatry:
http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/pyroluria.html
I have offered this information to other friends and this is my own list of suggestions that may help with this condition.
Willard Water – This has an exceptionally high alkaline level [12.3] and will help keep the body healthy. http://www.swansonvitamins.com/Willard-Water//
Noni Juice – is a blood cleanser. When a person has pyroluria, adrenaline pours into the body and this natural chemical is never removed. Noni is a blood cleanser and it also calms the person. 2-6 ounces a day suggested. Available from most health food stores.
Holy Basil capsules – has been used for centuries to calm the nerves.
B-12 complex – general healthy supplement
Vitamin E
Essential Minerals
Evening Pimrose Oil
Fish Oil
Bach Flower Remedies: http://www.bachflower.com/
Rescue Remedy - immediately rebalances adrenaline excesses in body after sudden rage or stress
Holly - removes negativity
Impatients - enables you to be patient in life
From Botanical Alchemy: http://www.botanicalalchemy.com/
Bright Mornings - helps start your morning without stress
Calm Child - calms children after upsets or stressers
Transform Anger - aids in transforming habitual anger into healthier patterns
