By Lawrence Wilson, MD
© July 2012, The Center For Development, Inc.

About 40 years ago, Carl Pfieffer, MD, PhD discovered that some people have chemicals in the urine called krytopyrroles. This condition is called pyroluria. Today, this condition is diagnosed by some holistic physicians. When it is found, the doctor usually recommends that one take vitamin B6 and zinc to correct it.

PYROLURIA AND COPPER TOXICITY

I have researched pyroluria and I find that in all cases of pyroluria, the person has a copper imbalance. Usually copper is high, but at times, one may have biounavailable copper. This means the high copper is not revealed on a hair mineral test, but the person has indicators of what is called hidden copper toxicity.

Zinc and vitamin B6 happen to lower copper in the body, and so this rather simple approach to balancing copper does indeed help some people feel better. However, I find that truly balancing copper in the body usually takes much more than just zinc and vitamin B6. These simply are not enough, and in some cases they will make the copper imbalance worse. What is needed is a complete nutritional balancing program in most cases. Then the copper imbalance goes away, and the pyroluria improves at the same time.
I do not find it necessary to test for pyroluria if one has a hair mineral analysis and begins a nutritional balancing program because if pyroluria is present, it will improve automatically.

All information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not for the diagnosis, treatment, prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.