 |
| Active form of B-6 is pictured above. It is also known as Pyridoxine 5′-phosphate or "P5P" Our family benefits from more of this than others. |
Like most things in the orthomolecular discipline there is controversy. Despite a research publishing record over the last 30 years this diagnosis is still being debated in the traditional medical community even as it provides miracle cures for people like my daughter. The condition is more widely recognized in the psychiatric community. I have personally read both the orthomolecular research and medical research dealing with this physiological phenomenon.This condition is never specifically referenced in the medical research except in the most general terms.Despite the aversion to orthomolecular practice is now a typical protocol with no diagnosis to provide B-6 to all newly admitted mental health patients because newer medical literature recognizes the impact of this nutrient. In fact traditional medical studies are now beginning to recognize the impact of B vitamins on mental health (see Note 8). My personal experience is that the condition exists, we can detect it and the proposed treatment can work over time to eliminate symptoms. Other than my family I have no dog in the fight. So that is why I am sharing what I have learned the hard way.
I spoke to a 35 year psychiatric nurse practitioner with multiple degrees who has worked in VA hospitals and prisons and is a member of AA who turned his life around 4 decades ago (Note 11). We specifically talked about the physical origins of mental illness. He said "There are definitely physiological causes for behavior and it should be the first thing addressed but most just do not know this." He commented on the medical profession when he said "the medical profession treats symptoms with medication and they are done with it at that point." He explained that it is not that physical causes explain all behavior alone but "a physical problem just makes poor decision making easier." He also told me of how the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous was open to somatic solutions to help alcoholism but "only the recognition of a higher power always helped everyone" so he never endorsed physiological solutions even though he knew there were signs of success.
This mental health professional had seen my daughter during an "episode of psychosis". Later two different doctors diagnosed her as suffering from schizophrenia with associated paranoia, extreme mood swings, despondency rage, delusions and hallucinations. She was, in response to her extreme condition, heavily medicated with an antipsychotic and lithium for a year and a half. This experienced mental health professional saw my daughter, now free of medication, and offered the view that she is a "miracle". My response? What orthomolecular methods have pulled off is truly a miracle. That is why I write this blog. Others need to know!
During our exit interview from the hospital it was explained that our daughter might need permanent hospitalization and would need the medication the rest of her life. We researched while in the hospital and while she was home for two months. We brought her to a doctor who used orthomolecular techniques in Chicago (see Note 10). Diagnostic tests (blood, urine and hair) revealed that my daughter had extreme Pyroluria (among other challenges). If this condition is not properly cared for it will result in psychosis, hospitalization and a designation of schizophrenia. My daughter implemented the program and then over time reduced her medication. She told a mental health professional she was using "orthomolecular methods" (under the guidance of a doctor) to help with her during the reduction of medication. The mental health professional was genuinely interested and asked my daughter how to spell "orthomolecular" and she typed it into her computer and started reading. Things change.
During our exit interview from the hospital it was explained that our daughter might need permanent hospitalization and would need the medication the rest of her life. We researched while in the hospital and while she was home for two months. We brought her to a doctor who used orthomolecular techniques in Chicago (see Note 10). Diagnostic tests (blood, urine and hair) revealed that my daughter had extreme Pyroluria (among other challenges). If this condition is not properly cared for it will result in psychosis, hospitalization and a designation of schizophrenia. My daughter implemented the program and then over time reduced her medication. She told a mental health professional she was using "orthomolecular methods" (under the guidance of a doctor) to help with her during the reduction of medication. The mental health professional was genuinely interested and asked my daughter how to spell "orthomolecular" and she typed it into her computer and started reading. Things change.
How do we know we have Pyroluria?
Those with this genetic malady eject zinc and B-6 in their urine. This tendency to eject these substances needed for the proper care of our neural network and fluid surrounding our brain increases when we are under stress (anxious, exhausted or sleep deprived.) The physiological symptoms can be detected with a careful test of urine in search of pyrroles and zinc. We know based on physical tests that it runs in our family. "Pyroluria" can have a number of symptoms and mental health impacts. Some symptoms that affected our family included:
Those with this genetic malady eject zinc and B-6 in their urine. This tendency to eject these substances needed for the proper care of our neural network and fluid surrounding our brain increases when we are under stress (anxious, exhausted or sleep deprived.) The physiological symptoms can be detected with a careful test of urine in search of pyrroles and zinc. We know based on physical tests that it runs in our family. "Pyroluria" can have a number of symptoms and mental health impacts. Some symptoms that affected our family included:
*Lack of hair on head, eyebrows, eyelashes areas *Abnormal body fat distribution
*Lack of regular menstrual cycles *Abdominal pain
*Acne *Anger - explosive
*Anxiety/anxious *Mood swings
*Argumentative - likes to argue *Constipation
*Much higher capability in the evening than mornings *Creaking in joints
*Delusions *Depression
*Difficulty remembering dreams *Panic attacks
*Allergies *Fatigue
If one accepts the careful lab detection of pyrroles and the large databases associated with these studies it is enlightening. Those with pyroluria are 4 times more likely to have alcohol use disorder, 5 times more likely to suffer schizophrenia and 4 times as likely to suffer severe depression compared with the general population. "Studies have shown that 11% of the general population has some degree of pyroluria but 52% of schizophrenics and 42% of psychiatric patients are pyroluria. It is a hereditary condition and will show up to various degrees of severity in family members. Alcoholic families are very prone to have this condition as 40% of alcoholics are suffer from pyroluria."(Note 6 below)
It is important to understand that there is no medication which eradicates this response to stress. Pyroluria is a genetically derived personal response to stress. The greater the stress the greater the ejection of needed nutrients and the greater likelihood for the psychosis seen in schizophrenia.
What can we do to protect ourselves from the expression of symptoms?
A good defense from this metabolic dysfunction is to avoid situations that are highly stressful and to insure that we get sufficient sleep each and every night.If we must undergo stress we need to recognize our physiological demands and meet them. A person with pyroluria will need larger amounts of zinc and B-6 on a daily basis compared to others. The recommended daily allowance of these nutrients will not be sufficient to ward off the negative consequences of deficiency caused by increased ejection during tress. Those suffering from pyroluria need to take extra zinc and B-6. In fact extra Manganese, Magnesium, Calcium, B6, p5p, zinc and vitamin C will facilitate better absorption and utilization of zinc and B-6. Zinc and B-6 produce needed neurotransmitters which help us to operate competently and avoid the mental health crisis. A crisis can erupt when the ratios of neurotransmitters are significantly out of balance. In addition various glands, joints and tissue are maintained and repaired by proteins built by that B-6 and zinc. Long term B-6 deficiency can result in neuropathy as a result of insufficient maintenance/
Special situations require special protection!
If you face stress and have pyroluria take extra B6 and zinc couple day prior to the foreseen stress. Maintain the extra boost in Zinc and B6 during the stress. Then curtail this booster after things are back to normal. Avoiding sweets, declining alcohol and getting more that 7 hours of sleep can help you maintain optimal functioning. If you are healthy you love your family better and it helps you remember all those things you might otherwise forget!
There is a perfect storm of stress every year during the Christmas and New Years holiday season. The weather is colder and the days have more darkness. Sweets and refined sugars become a higher proportion of the diet and this alone can alter neurotransmitter ratios in the brain. Occupational stress, especially in service or retail industries may increase significantly. Family visits can extend the waking hours and induce sleep deprivation that taxes physical, emotional and mental facilities. Alcohol is often served more frequently and in more intense quantities which compromise neural performance and maintenance. Social expectations to deliver thoughtful cards, gifts and greetings to family, acquaintances and even strangers can provide significant cognitive load adding to the stress. We forget Jesus in a manger and then feel we feel guilty about it.
The Zinc and B-6 boost during the holiday season can be an important action that helps your entire family enjoy the season!
The combination of Pyroluria with metal imbalances or other metabolic dysfunctions (such as methylation) only add to the importance of keeping the need for extra zinc and B6 met.
Providing your bodies with what you need is taking care of yourself:
The combination of Pyroluria with metal imbalances or other metabolic dysfunctions (such as methylation) only add to the importance of keeping the need for extra zinc and B6 met.
Providing your bodies with what you need is taking care of yourself:
"Please take care of yourselves! "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him."
Romans 12:1
1.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc
2.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B6
3.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Pfeiffer_(pharmacologist) (pharmacologist)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abram_Hoffer (psychiatrist)
4.
https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/anxious-introvert-because-of-low-zinc-and-vitamin-b6/
5.
http://www.naturalhealthprotocol.com/copper-toxicity.html
6.
http://www.naturalhealthprotocol.com/pyroluria.html
"Studies have shown that 11% of the general population has some degree of pyroluria but 52% of schizophrenics and 42% of psychiatric patients are pyroluric. It is a hereditary condition and will show up to various degrees of severity in family members. Alcoholic families are very prone to have this condition as 40% of alcoholics are suffer from pyroluria."
7.
Romans 12:1
1.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc
2.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B6
3.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Pfeiffer_(pharmacologist) (pharmacologist)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abram_Hoffer (psychiatrist)
4.
https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/anxious-introvert-because-of-low-zinc-and-vitamin-b6/
5.
http://www.naturalhealthprotocol.com/copper-toxicity.html
6.
http://www.naturalhealthprotocol.com/pyroluria.html
"Studies have shown that 11% of the general population has some degree of pyroluria but 52% of schizophrenics and 42% of psychiatric patients are pyroluric. It is a hereditary condition and will show up to various degrees of severity in family members. Alcoholic families are very prone to have this condition as 40% of alcoholics are suffer from pyroluria."
7.
8. Main medical literature and vitamins in recent research:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16169836
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19388520
9.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16169836
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19388520
9.
https://mindfulness-medicine.com/pyroluria-an-underlying-cause-of-mental-illness/
10.
http://www.mensahmedical.com/
11.
Conversation on Saturday December 21, 2019 during visit to Mississippi
10.
http://www.mensahmedical.com/
11.
Conversation on Saturday December 21, 2019 during visit to Mississippi
Comments
Post a Comment