Is Pyrrole Disorder Causing You to Suffer?

What is Pyrrole Disorder?

Pyrrole Disorder, commonly known as Pyroluria is a condition in which sufferers are unable to effectively utilise or uptake Zinc, vitamin B6 and biotin [1], [2].

Waste products are produced by all cells and the waste produced by the haem molecules is hydroxyhemopyrrolin-2-one (HPL) also known as Pyrrole [3]. It is HPL that binds to and increases the urinary excretion of Zinc, Vitamin B6 and Biotin. People who suffer from Pyrrole Disorder produce excessive amounts of HPL resulting in these nutritional deficiencies. Pyrrole Disorder sufferers also have lower levels of the Omega 6 Fat, GLA, which is due to the requirements of Zinc and Vitamin B6 in converting alpha-Linolenic acid to GLA.

Conditions Associated with Pyrrole Disorder

Due to the various bodily functions of Zinc, Vitamin B6 and Biotin the symptoms of Pyrrole Disorder can be quite broad and far-reaching. Below is a list of some common health conditions associated with Pyrrole Disorder and the percentage of those sufferers with elevated HPL levels [2].

For a full list of conditions associated with Pyrrole Disorder please click here.

Signs and Symptoms of Pyrrole Disorder

As previously mentioned the roles of Zinc, Vitamin B6 and Biotin are vast and as such there are many potential side effects associated with their deficiency. Below is a short list of some of the more common signs and symptoms associated with Pyrrole Disorder. 

For a full list of signs and symptoms associated with Pyrrole Disorder please click here.

Read our blog on the 9 most Common Pyrrole Disorder Symptoms

Unusual Body Appearances Associated with Pyrrole Disorder

For some Pyrrole Disorder sufferers, they can also have multiple abnormalities in their physical appearance. Some of the more common physical appearances associated with Pyrrole Disorder are listed below.

For a full list of body signs associated with Pyrrole Disorder please click here.

What Causes Pyrrole Disorder?

Evidence suggests that for some sufferers, Pyrrole Disorder is a genetic condition. Research and statistics indicate that if a parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, sister or brother suffers from Alcoholism, Bi-Polar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Major Depression or has committed Suicide, that there is a greater risk of Pyrrole Disorder in other family members.

Studies indicate that Lifestyle Factors can also play a role in driving up HPL levels, thus leading to Pyrrole Disorder. 

• Poor dietary choices and poor digestive health can lead to an increase in HPL levels [2]. 
• Studies have shown that zinc deficiency increases bowel permeability leading to a condition known as Leaky Gut Syndrome [4], [5], [6]. Leaky Gut Syndrome increases HPL in susceptible Pyrrole Disorder sufferers.
• It is a well-known fact that stress damages the intestinal wall and causes intestinal inflammation. Both of which lead to an increase in Leaky Gut Syndrome [7], [8].
• An unpublished US navy study conducted in 1992 found a very rapid increase in HPL levels in male volunteers who were subjected to the stress of a brief cold-water immersion.[2].
• Dysbiosis, an overgrowth of detrimental bacteria in the intestinal tract is a major cause of Leaky Gut Syndrome. [9]. Dysbiosis has been linked to an increase in blood HPL levels [2]. 
• Stress increases the adherence of bad bacteria to the intestinal wall within 30 minutes [10].
• Alcohol, smoking, drugs and heavy metal exposure dramatically increase blood HPL levels. This is why sufferers of Pyrrole Disorder tend to get a worsening of their symptoms 24 to 48 hours after recreational drug use or a big night on the town drinking.
• For more information on What Causes Pyrrole Disorder

Pyrrole Disorder - What Damage Can HPL Do?

• Pyrroles (HPL) are classed as 'nerve poisons' [2] and can damage nerves, nerve cells.
• HPL decreases haem levels. Animal studies have shown that HPL caused a decrease in liver haem, and it's haem detoxifying enzyme cytochrome P450, by up to 55% over a 48 hour period [11]. 
• Nerves metabolic activity is highly dependent on haem,  low levels of haem lead to a metabolic crisis resulting in neuronal (nerve) cell death [12], [13].
• Vitamin B6, Biotin and Zinc are all required for the production of haem and a reduction in these nutrients results in subnormal haem levels [13], [14].  
• Haem levels are further depressed by stress and heavy metal exposure [2].  
• Low levels of haem result in excess production of the toxic free radical nitric oxide, which can cause serious damage to brain tissue and is suspected to play a role in schizophrenia, autism and Down Syndrome [15], [16].
• Antioxidants protect cells from free radical damage. The body has 3 major antioxidant defence enzymes; Glutathione, Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase. All of these enzymes require  Zinc or Vitamin B6 in some part in their production.
• A marginal deficiency of vitamin B6 is associated with lower levels of Glutathione production and cell mitochondrial (cell battery) decay [17]. 
• Catalase consists of four protein subunits, each requiring hame. Autism and Schizophrenia sufferers have lower levels of catalase [18], [19].

Is Pyrrole Disorder a Real Condition?

Unfortunately with many health conditions that are untreatable by conventional medicine they are deemed not real or don't exist. Regrettably, Pyrrole Disorder falls into this bracket, mainly because there are no drugs to increase levels of Vitamin B6, Biotin or Zinc and that most doctors are not trained in nutrition. Coupled with this there is misleading information available on the web, which is written by unqualified people who don't know or understand Pyrrole Disorder. Sadly, this combination leads people to believe that Pyrrole Disorder is a myth, and as such allows them no effective treatment or proper diagnosis of Pyrrole Disorder.

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NatroVital® Pyrrole Support offers a combination of essential vitamins and minerals, many of which are often deficient in sufferers of Pyroluria and Pyrrole Disorder. Pyroluria and Pyrrole Disorder are different names for the same condition.

For more information on Pyroluria or Pyrrole Disorder, please refer to some of our other blogs below;

• Pyroluria Treatment

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The information provided in this blog, 'Is Pyrrole Disorder Causing You To Suffer' is of a general nature intended for educational purposes only. We make no claims to diagnose, treat, prevent, alleviate or cure illnesses or diseases with any information or product stated. With any health issue we suggest you consult your healthcare professional before undertaking any health treatment.