Often people with depression or other mental health disorders demonstrate an abnormal production of a group of chemicals called 'pyrroles', this is called pyroluria. The pyrroles rob the body of B6 and Zinc causing them to be excreted in the urine. This may result in a deficiency of B6 and zinc, which supplementation can correct.
It is most often seen in females. It is thought that about 10รท of a normal population has pyroluria and can occur at any age but appears to be brought on by stress. It may be a factor in the development of mental retardation, epilepsy, hyper activity and particularly depression.
CLINICAL INDICATIONS
Signs and symptoms of pyroluria are many. There seems to be a familial or genetic component. A family history of mental illness and all-girl families especially if there is also a history of miscarried boys.
Symptoms may include:
- Frequent ear infections as a child, as well as colds, fevers and chills.
- Fatigue
- Nervous exhaustion
- Insomnia
- Poor memory or inability to think clearly
- Hyperactivity
- Seizures
- Mood swings
- Lack of regular periods in girls
- Impotence in males
- Unusual smelling breath and body odour
- Cold hands and feet
- Inability to tolerate drugs and alcohol
- Abdominal pain
- Intolerance to some protein foods, drugs or alcohol
- Morning nausea and constipation
- Difficulty remembering dreams
Pyrolurics can often be identified by their appearance:
- Pale skin, prone to stretch marks.
- A black pyroluric will have the lightest skin in the family
- A lack of hair on the head, eyebrows and eye lashes
- Teeth in the upper jaw will often be overcrowded (unless orthodontic treatments has taken place) and poor appearance of tooth enamel.
- White marks on fingernails, be opaque and be tissue paper thin.
- Acne, eczema, and herpes may also be present.
Pyroluria is very easy to treat once diagnosed, and may be an underlying cause in many cases of depression that are unresponsive to anti-depressant treatments.