Pyroluria

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Pyroluria, or malvaria (from the term mauve factor), is the presence of excess pyrroles (a group of chemical compounds) in the urine. It was initially described by Abram Hoffer, a pioneer in orthomolecular medicine and orthomolecular psychiatry. Carl Pfeiffer substantially extended Hoffer's work^[1] Pyroluria is not recognised by mainstream medicine.^[2] Those who support its existence state that it is relatively common. One of the pyrroles, kryptopyrrole, is a by-product of hemoglobin synthesis.^{[citation needed]}

The pyrroles bind to vitamin B6 and thence to zinc. Then it is eliminated with the urine, potentially causing a deficiency of vitamin B6 and zinc. Pyrolurics may also become deficient in arachidonic acid. These deficiencies can cause mental and physical problems. Leukonychia is a symptom of pyroluria, caused by zinc deficiency. Not all people with pyroluria develop deficiencies, as pyroluria manifests itself at different strengths in different individuals, and a pyroluric with a diet containing enough B6 and zinc to offset low-level pyrolurism may remain symptomless.^{[citation needed]}

Pyroluria is often diagnosed in people with ADHD, schizophrenia, autism, alcoholism, bipolar disorder and depression. The ability for an individual to suffer from pyroluria is believed to have a high degree of genetic origin, with the condition known to run in families. Severity usually waxes and wanes with the level of stress being experienced by the sufferer. Some individuals with pyroluric tendencies may come within the normal range in their test results at times when their pyrolurism has ebbed.^{[citation needed]}

Detection of pyroluria is performed with a test for the quantities of a type of pyrrole present in urine. If present, the condition is usually then treated by supplementing appropriate levels of vitamin B6, zinc, manganese and Evening Primrose Oil. Antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E may also be supplemented as oxidative stresses are believed to influence the severity of the condition. Digestive supplements such as pancreatic enzymes and betaine hydrochloride may be also recommended if malabsorption or certain digestive disorders are present. In addition, vitamin B3 supplementation may be considered because the synthesis of niacin (vitamin B3) from the amino acid tryptophan is dependent upon the availability of vitamin B6, so a deficiency in B3 could arise from vitamin B6 deficiency.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

Carl C. Pfeiffer (1988) Nutrition and Mental Illness : An Orthomolecular Approach to Balancing Body Chemistry, Healing Arts Press, ISBN 0-89281-226-5
Abram Hoffer (July 2004) Healing Schizophrenia: Complementary Vitamin & Drug Treatments, CCNM Press, ISBN 1-897025-08-4
Eva Edelman (2001) Natural Healing for Schizophrenia: And Other Common Mental Disorders, Borage Books; 3rd Rev ed, ISBN 0-9650976-7-6
Eric Braverman, Carl Pfeiffer, K. Blum, R. Smayda (2003) The Healing Nutrients Within: Facts, Findings, and New Research on Amino Acids, 3rd ed, Basic Health Publications, ISBN 1-59120-037-7
Chris M. Reading, Ross S. Meillon (2002) Trace Your Genes to Health: Use Your Family Tree to Guide Your Diet, Enhance Your Immune System and Overcome Chronic Disease, Vital Health Publishing; 2nd Rev edition, ISBN 1890612235