Pyrrole Disorder

What is Pyrrole Disorder?

Pyrrole disorder (also called pyroluria) is a mood and stress disorder. 

It is often a heritable condition in the Irish, English, Welsh, and Scandinavian people groups (especially those with light features: blonde or red hair, blue or green eyes, fair skin). Pyrroles have little or no function in the body and are excreted continuously in the urine. However, for a pyroluric individual, nutrient deficiencies occur because these molecules have an affinity for zinc and vitamin B6. They latch onto and excrete these nutrients in the urine before the body is able to absorb them. 

Another feature of pyroluria is a deficiency of arachidonic acid (AA) (a polyunsaturated omega 6 essential fatty acid), which is a critical component of brain function as well as normal growth and development. Maintaining a balanced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is essential for overall health, as an imbalance can lead to excessive inflammation and health issues.

Why is Pyrrole Disorder a Problem?

Pyroluric individuals are severely depressed in zinc and vitamin B6. Zinc and vitamin B6 are critical for a healthy immune system, neurotransmitter balance, and maintaining intellectual function, mood, and memory, to name a few. Suboptimal levels of these important nutrients result in a variety of symptoms, including:

• High irritability and temper
• Poor stress control
• Morning nausea
• Memory and concentration problems
• Severe mood swings
• Explosive anger and rage
• Blood sugar dysregulation
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Alcoholism
• Mysophonia
• Sensitivity to lights, odors, sounds, and textures (LOST)
• Night owl tendencies
• Stretch marks (striae) on skin
• Little or no dream recall
• White spots on nails

Remember that our moods are intricately linked to our health. Those swings from calm to anger aren’t occurring for no reason. Using functional nutrition, we can restore balance to your body and help you regulate your thoughts and feelings. Dealing with a hot temper or depression can be difficult, but there is hope. 

I invite you to reach out so that we can get to the root causes of your symptoms.

Who Can Have Pyrrole Disorder?

As mentioned previously, pyrrole disorder often manifests in people of European descent. It often arises in individuals with fair features such as blue/green eyes and blonde hair with fair skin. However, these features do not determine whether or not someone will suffer from pyrrole disorder.

Because the condition is hereditary, I’ve seen adults and children (think terrible twos!) come in complaining of severe mood swings, high sensitivity, hyperactivity, an inability to tolerate stress, morning nausea, and night owl tendencies. Underneath these symptoms lies unaddressed pyrrole disorder. 

While pyrrole disorder is often hereditary, it can also be brought on by chronic stress or a traumatic event. We will need to perform the proper tests to see if you have this disorder and lack the important nutrients associated with it.

The Functional Nutrition Approach to Pyrrole-Related Nutrient Deficiencies

At its core, pyrrole disorder is an issue because it pulls important nutrients out of the body before they’re able to be absorbed. Pyrroles themselves are harmless, but when elevated, they latch onto zinc and vitamin B6, therefore depleting the body of these important nutrients.

This condition can be safely corrected and balanced with dietary and nutrient therapy, as well as lifestyle modifications. 

• Zinc
  One effective way to ensure an adequate intake of zinc is to incorporate zinc-rich foods into your diet. Grass-fed meats from pasture-raised animals such as beef, lamb, and bison stand out as excellent high-zinc food choices, making them wonderful blood-sugar balancing options to include in your diet. Additionally, sprouted pumpkin seeds can make a great high zinc snack!

• Vitamin B6
  To ensure you’re getting enough vitamin B6, consider incorporating specific foods into your daily meals. Poultry, such as chicken and turkey, is a rich source of vitamin B6.

• Omega-6 Fatty Acids
  To incorporate omega-6 fatty acids into your diet, consider using avocado oil when cooking or making salad dressings. Ground flaxseeds can be added to protein smoothies and enjoyed as snacks such as Flackers flax crackers.

• Gut Repair for Nutrient Absorption
  Repairing the gut is crucial for enhancing nutrient absorption because the gastrointestinal tract plays a pivotal role in the digestion and assimilation of nutrients. When the gut is compromised due to issues like inflammation, intestinal permeability (leaky gut), or imbalances in the gut microbiota, it can hinder the body’s ability to extract essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids from the foods we consume. A damaged gut lining can lead to improper nutrient absorption, malnutrition, and various health problems. 
  
  By healing the gut health through a customized dietary plan, gut supportive therapies, and lifestyle modifications, we can restore the integrity of the intestinal lining, optimize nutrient absorption, and promote overall well-being. A healthy gut ensures that the body receives the full spectrum of nutrients needed for energy, immunity, brain function, and various physiological processes, ultimately contributing to improved overall health.

Of course, these are just generalized recommendations for common pyrrole disorder deficiencies. When you work with me, you’ll receive a personalized plan that fits your health history, goals, lifestyle, and more. You deserve a wellness plan that’s tailored to your needs and no one else’s. 

To see if you might be impacted by this disorder, take my free, five-minute life assessment. It will provide helpful insights into dozens of disorders.

Let’s Get to the Root Cause of Your Symptoms Today

If the description of pyrrole disorder resonates with you, consider scheduling a free consultation to explore whether functional nutrition is the right approach for you. With virtual options available, I can work with individuals across the United States and worldwide. 

Taking this step could lead to a personalized nutritional plan that addresses your specific health concerns and helps you achieve your wellness goals. Don’t hesitate to reach out and take the first step towards better health and well-being.