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"Many great people in history have shown the signs of pyroluria. Among them are
the poet Emily Dickinson and the scientific philosopher and discoverer Charles
Darwin. Their life stories reflect many of the character traits associated with this
condition. Pyroluriathe reason for adult withdrawal and seclusion? Reflections
on the meaning of life and death were the two major influences in the life works
of both Emily Dickinson and Charles Darwin."- Dr. Carl C. Pfeiffer
What is Pyroluria?
Pyroluria is a genetic blood disorder, a chemical imbalance, involving an
abnormality in haemoglobin synthesis. Haemoglobin is a protein in the body, that
holds iron in the red blood cell. During production of haemoglobin, there is a
seemingly harmless byproduct created called Kryptopyrrole or what is now more
specifically and accurately known as OHHPL, or HPL (hydroxyhemoppyrrolin-2one). HPL is a chemical substance involved in the formation of heme, what
makes blood red. In most individuals this byproduct is harmless and excreted in
the urine. In Pyroluria levels of HPL multiply too rapidly, and systemically bind
and block receptor sites to the nutrients Zinc and Vitamin B6. Kryptopyrroles
(HPL) specifically seek out aldehydes to bind to, in this case Pyridoxine (vitamin
B6). This duo does further damage by attaching itself to Zinc, forming a complex
which is then eliminated via urine. The result is major deficiency in Vitamin B6
and Zinc, with a wide spectrum of mental/physical symptoms. The extent of the
deficits are so large, they cannot be counterbalanced by foods high in these
particular nutrients.
Aetiology and History of Pyroluria
A familial condition, caused by poor genetics (such as familial alcoholism) and/or
by environmental toxicity. It can be induced by childhood trauma or chronic
infection early in life. The onset commonly occurs during the late teens and
continues throughout a person's life, triggered by a traumatic incident - death of a
loved one, parental divorce, moving away to college. The disorder is highly
aggravated by prolonged stress, for instance during injury, oxidative stress or
chronic or debilitating illness. It is estimated that approximately 10% of the
population have Pyroluria, with estimates as high as 20% of all psychiatric
patients and 40% of all schizophrenic patients, with a higher prevalence in
women than men.
Pyroluria was first discoverd in the late 1950's in relation to Schizophrenia by a
Canadian research team led by psychiatrist Dr. Abram Hoffer. Hoffer was a
pioneer of Orthomolecular Psychiatry and Orthomolecular Medicine, and became
editor of the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. This was the first medical
journal to bring attention to many important new treatments in medicine such as
the yeast syndrome, the toxicity of mercury from amalgams and the
orthomolecular treatment of the schizophrenias.
In his research he discovered a clear relationship between elevated urinary HPL,
or as they called it then "the mauve factor," and patients with schizophrenic
symptoms. According to Hoffer, 25% of nonpsychotic psychiatric patients, 50% of
chronic schizophrenics, 75% of acute (sudden-onset) schizophrenics exhibited
"the mauve factor" in their urine, with 0% in the control group. They called it
"mauve" due to the mauve colour that was observed on the paper
chromatograms. All patients within the Schizophrenic subgroup that were
administered high dose niacinamide (Vitamin B3) converted from Mauve positive
to Mauve negative. Discontinuation of the niacinamide was associated with the
reappearance of Mauve. The researchers called this condition "Malvaria."
Malvaria was later renamed by Dr. Carl Pfeiffer of an American research team to
"Pyrolleuria" which was, for no obvious reason, consistently spelled "Pyrroluria"
in later publications. It is also known as Kryptopyrroluria (KPU) and
Haemopyrrollactamuria (HPU). In the 1970's Pfeiffer created a relatively simple,
quantitative colorimetric assay for the condition and was the first to show clinical
improvement in positive patients using high doses of Vitamin B6 and Zinc.
The following statistics were obtained from the publication Discerning the Mauve
Factor - Part 1 , by Woody R. McGinnis MD; Tapan Audhya PhD; William J.
Walsh, PhD; James A. Jackson PhD; John McLaren-Howard, DSc, FACN; Allen
Lewis, MD; Peter H. Lauda, MD; Douglas M. Bibus, PhD; Frances Jurnak, PhD;
Roman Lietha, MD; Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD.
to minerals and facilitating their absorption. This makes Zinc picolinate the
preferred supplement of choice.
There are 3 natural forms of Vitamin B6 found in food - Pyridoxine, Pyridoxamine
and Pyridoxal. Pyridoxal joined with a phosphate is the metabolically active
coenzyme form used within our bodies, also known as P5P. Pyridoxine
hydrochloride is the more commonly used form of supplement for vitamin B6, and
is well utilised in most individuals. However the body is then required to convert
the pyridoxine into P5P in the small intestine so it can be utilised. The pyridoxine
can not be used by the body directly. Two metabolic steps must first be
performed - phosphorylation and oxidation. These processes require nutrients
like Zinc, Magnesium and Riboflavin (Vitamin B2). If Riboflavin is low, P5P
production can be reduced by up to 60%. For this reason in the treatment of
Pyroluria it is important to administer the P5P form, as deficiencies in Zinc,
Magnesium and B2 are most likely to be present.
Suggested Daily Dosage
Vitamin B6 - 200mg Pyridoxine hydrochloride and 50mg P5P. I personally find
taking smaller doses of P5P (20mg) every 3-4 hours throughout the day to be
most affective. P5P is a water soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body and
easily depleted, particularly if you drink tea/coffee or consume anything with a
diuretic effect.
Zinc picolinate - anywhere from approximately 50 - 100mg for severe adult
cases, taken in the morning after food. Zinc dosages are to be built up slowly in
accordance with blood labs results for Zinc/Copper/Ceruloplasmin levels, HPL
results, and general vitality/adaptive ability to cope with chelation.
NOTE - all supplements should be titrated to the individuals age, body weight,
laboratory results, severity of symptoms and ability to absorb supplements - ie
underlying digestive malabsorptive disorders: Crohn's disease, Irritable Bowel
Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Coeliac disease, Leaky gut syndrome,
Intestinal dysbiosis (an imbalance of bowel flora), GIT infections (parasites,
yeast, clostridia, H. pylori), Gastritis, Peptic ulcer, Food allergies/intolerances.
Secondary deficiencies will also need to be addressed, as a result of pre-existing
deficiencies of B6 and Zinc. These nutrients are crucial for the production of
other nutrients, neurotransmitters, hormones, and over 100 enzymes in the body.
Manganese, Magnesium, Biotin, Vitamin B complex, Omega 6 essential fatty
acids (EFA) in particular Arachidonic acid, 5 Hydroxy Tryptophan (5HTP),
Vitamins A, C, E, Glutamine, Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA), Inositol,
Taurine, Glycine are some examples of nutrients that may need to be included in
your initial treatment regime. Due to alterations in the fatty acid pathways,
deficiency in arachidonic acid (Omega 6) is most common. It is important to note
that omega 3 EFA's (EPA/DHA) must also be avoided, as they compete with
omega 6 in enzymatic pathways. In this case it is the enzyme delta 5,6
increase in blood volume may be evident; common side effects seen in those
taking the Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP). Interestingly the OCP has been
associated with exacerbation in patients suffering from Schizophrenia, with
complete remission of their schizophrenic symptoms once the OCP was stopped.
Conditions that may ensue from estrogen imbalance/dominance include PMS,
ovarian cysts, miscarriage, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Uterine
fibroids, sexual dysfunction. High oestrogen levels can occur as a result of toxic
exposure to xeno-estrogens within the environment/food. Xeno-estrogens
chemically mimic our natural estrogen hormones and replace them on receptor
sites within our cells. This unnatural replacement creates imbalance within
estrogen levels and ratios between other hormones within the body progesterone, thyroid hormones etc. Xeno-estrogen's can be avoided; they are
present in pesticides, plastics - especially soft plastics (food wrap), volatile
organic compounds (VOC's), growth hormones used in animals, and all
petrochemical waste products used in the manufacture of plastics, gasoline and
petrochemical derivatives. Estrogen imbalance can also occur from inside the
body; this is where hormones and digestion are intricately involved. When our
digestive processes slow down, and we adopt unhealthy dietary principles, or
ones that do not suit our genotype/constitution, our intestines can become a
compost heap and putrefaction/fermentation ensues. Bacterial imbalance within
our intestinal microbiota leads to production of toxic metabolites and a great deal
of metabolic activity that is detrimental to our health. During putrefaction, the
bacterial enzyme beta-glucuronidase is produced, causing an enterohepatic
recirculation of estrogen, rather than elimination of excess levels, placing extra
strain on the liver's role of conjugating and eliminating oestrogen. This disease
causing biochemical pathway, induced by poor diet, creates a state of oestrogen
dominance within the body, increasing the risk of hormonally dependant cancers,
hormonal disease, obesity, diabetes, circulatory disorders and much more.
Supplementation with Calcium d-glucarate can support oestrogen reduction
through inhibition of beta-glucuronidase activity. Diindolylmethane (DIM) is
another natural compound obtained from the Brassica family, which can be used
to inhibit oestrogen's dominant effect in the body. It works by adjusting the
pathways of oestrogen metabolism in favour of 2-hydroxy oestrone production,
whilst simultaneously decreasing 16-alpha hydroxy oestrone levels. 2-hydroxy
oestrone has been indicated through clinical studies as a protective biomarker
against hormonally dependant cancers.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism; fatigue, depression, brain fog, constipation, dry
skin, dry, thinning hair, weight gain, intolerance to cold, excessive menstrual flow,
can also be seen in oestrogen dominant states. Estrogen has a similar chemical
structure to the active thyroid hormone Triiodothyronine (T3) and can block
receptors sites on the cell membrane, inducing a hypothyroid state. Copper also
plays a part by disrupting the conversion of Thyroxine (T4) to T3. Addressing
Copper, Oestrogen and stress levels can have a positive impact on regulating
metabolic activity of the thyroid gland.