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From the Townsend Letter
July 2017

Kryptopyrroluria (aka Hemopyrrollactamuria) 2017:
A Major Piece of the Puzzle in Overcoming Chronic Lyme Disease

by Scott Forsgren, FDN-P and Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD
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Treatment
KPU is a severe but reversible deficiency of zinc, vitamin B6 (or P5P), biotin, manganese, arachidonic acid, and other co-factors. It is important to recognize, however, that treatment with zinc and vitamin B6 does not result in fewer pyrroles being excreted in the urine. KPU orthomolecular treatment does not fix the underlying condition; it substitutes what is being lost as a result of the condition such that the person is no longer deficient in key nutrients needed by the body to move towards health.
     
The general KPU substitution treatment that Klinghardt uses in his practice is as follows (dosages for 160 lb. adult and should be adjusted based on weight; may be customized for specific patient needs):

With Breakfast

  • Zinc 25-30 mg (as picolinate, gluconate, sulfate, or zinc l-carnosine). Nausea after zinc supplementation may be a sign of hypochlorhydria or low stomach acid; this often resolves after a few months on treatment.
  • Vitamin B6 50-100 mg (split between pyridoxine HCl and P5P, with P5P being the predominant form)
  • Biotin 3-5 mg for brain, skin, hair, and nails
  • Magnesium 100 mg (glycinate, bisglycinate, or malate) – or titrate to bowel tolerance.
  • Arachidonic acid from omega-6 oils (Ghee such as Mt. Capra Goat Milk Ghee, Evening Primrose Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, Black Currant Oil, Borage Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil; 4-6 capsules of Evening Primrose Oil per day is commonly used.)

With Dinner

  • Zinc 25-30 mg
  • Vitamin B6 50-100 mg
  • Biotin 3-5 mg
  • Magnesium 100 mg
  • Omega-6 Oils

This is the core treatment Klinghardt utilizes for KPU.

Additional Support

  • Vitamin A 1,500-3,000 IU per day to improve the absorption of zinc in the gut
  • Niacin 40-50 mg per day for psychiatric symptoms. (Abram Hoffer used up to 3000 mg per day.)
  • Taurine 100 mg twice per day (up to 2,000 mg at bedtime) for brain-related symptoms such as seizures, brain fog, and memory loss. Supports elimination of neurotoxins, improves bile quality, increases glutathione, and normalizes brain rhythms.
  • Lithium 5-10 mg per day (Orotate or Aspartate); lithium is lost in the urine in some patients with KPU.
  • Manganese 2-5 mg per day (Patients with joint problems may require additional manganese above the dosages recommended here; see additional considerations later in this article on manganese for patients with Lyme disease.)
  • Chromium 250-500 mcg per day
  • Molybdenum 100-500 mcg per day
  • Boron 1-3 mg per day
  • Trace Minerals - As more is learned about KPU, additional elements are found to be lower in those with the condition. Thus, supplementing trace minerals may be a supportive strategy. BioPure MicroMinerals, Quinton Isotonic, or similar mineral products may be helpful.

As compared to the first version of this article which was published in 2009, Klinghardt has found that many of his patients do quite well with lower dosages of some of these key nutrients than were originally utilized.
     
In Europe, Depyrrol is one product which provides support for KPU. Additionally, and in the United States, BioPure CORE and CORE-S are available to support those dealing with the condition. Another product in this realm is Mensah Medical's Pyrrole Pak. These products serve as a solid foundation for KPU treatment; though additional co-factors may be needed for a given patient. Some patients may not tolerate both vitamin B6 and P5P as contained in some products and may find it necessary to take each component of the KPU program separately.
     
In terms of BioPure's CORE and CORE-S, CORE-S is a recent reformulation of the CORE product which has been available for many years. While either may be an appropriate option, CORE-S generally results in less nausea, better absorption, and is often better tolerated by those patients with Lyme disease as it does not contain manganese. While many with pyroluria may benefit from manganese, it may act as a growth factor for untreated Lyme disease, and thus, some may prefer to avoid its use in this patient population. The reformulated CORE-S contains horsetail as people with KPU excrete higher levels of silica in the urine, which leads to higher levels of aluminum toxicity. With either CORE or CORE-S, two capsules twice daily are a common target dose for a 160 lb. adult. When first starting to introduce products in support of KPU, it is best to start with lower dosages and to take them towards the end of a meal and to gradually work up to the target dosage. Levels of B6, taurine, or biotin may be additionally and individually titrated upwards depending on the patient's symptoms and needs.
     
With the introduction of zinc, it is best to monitor copper levels after a few months on the protocol as copper replacement may also be needed. Zinc, vitamin B6, and manganese are copper antagonists. Thus, monitoring levels of copper and supplementing where needed is an important part of the treatment protocol.
     
Copper deficiency can lead to hemorrhoids, varicose veins, fatigue, edema, hair loss, anorexia, skin problems, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, aneurisms, and many other undesired conditions. Current nutritional teachings are misinformed on the topic of copper toxicity. The immune system uses copper and iron to fight infections associated with Lyme disease. As a result, oxidized copper is displaced in the connective tissue and may appear as though the patient is copper toxic by some testing methods when in fact copper supplementation may be appropriate. High dose Vitamin C has the effect of reducing oxidized copper to a form that can be reused by the body.

Detoxification and Course of Treatment
As treatment for KPU is implemented, this often can result in toxin mobilization as the body begins to release heavy metals. Symptoms may include muscle aches, bowel problems, or those normally associated with cleansing or detoxification reactions. Additionally, the immune system begins to become more active which can result in a Herxheimer-like reaction as the immune system begins to better respond to the backlog of microbes that it was previously unable to adequately address.
     
One approach for minimizing these reactions is to start slowly with introduction of the KPU nutrients and work up over time. In most cases, there is no reason that the treatment course must be an aggressive one. Nonetheless, this treatment should always be guided by a knowledgeable practitioner. In addition to the KPU treatment discussed earlier, consideration should be given to detoxification support and to protection of the red blood cells as the treatment is initiated.
     
According to Klinghardt, many of our metabolic enzymes use zinc as part of their molecular makeup. However, in patients with KPU, there is not enough zinc available to satisfy the need. In these cases, lead, mercury, and other 2-valent metals bind to these sites instead in a poor attempt to fulfill the role of zinc.
     
Once zinc is reintroduced into the body, 2-valent metals such as mercury, cadmium, aluminum, and lead are liberated. The patient may now have dislodged heavy metals circulating throughout the body. These may be competing for the already overtaxed detoxification pathways or may be redistributed to places where they may be more problematic. Lead moves back into the blood, which can cause problems including damage to red blood cells. To protect the red blood cells, freeze-dried garlic and Vitamin E are often used.
     
Incorporation of known toxin binders further supports the detoxification process. Some of the binders that Klinghardt uses in his practice include chlorella, Ecklonia cava, zeolite, and chitosan. Silica from horsetail supports binding of aluminum, and thus, the use of a high-silica zeolite such as BioPure ZeoBind is often utilized. It is critical to support the kidneys with specific drainage and organ support remedies in order to optimize the removal of heavy metals and to avoid stressing the kidneys.
     
An interesting observation has been that patients with KPU often get worse when an attempt is made to incorporate detoxification agents or antimicrobial agents prior to having first addressed the KPU condition. Once KPU has been addressed, other treatment options are often much more effective and better tolerated.

Additional Considerations
Many patients with chronic Lyme disease have issues with sulfur intolerance. This leads to a patient being unable to effectively utilize a number of detoxification agents such as alpha-lipoic acid, DMSA, DMPS, and glutathione; as well as supplements such as garlic. This may be related to genetic predisposition, but some of the enzymes involved in sulfur metabolism (CBS and others) are heme and B6 dependent; both of which are depleted in KPU. As patients are treated for KPU, these sulfur tolerance issues may resolve. Klinghardt has found that molybdenum at a dose of 100-500 mcg per day may correct sulfur intolerance in patients with KPU, as molybdenum may also be lost in these patients.
     
Ammonia is generally high in patients with KPU. As KPU is treated, high levels of ammonia tend to normalize. To bind and excrete ammonia, zeolite may be used.

Resolution of KPU
For most with the condition, supplementation will be required for life. However, Klinghardt has seen complete resolution of the condition after having addressed epigenetic influences, trauma, or unresolved conflicts using tools such as mental field therapy, family constellation work, or EMDR. By resolving trauma in the ancestry, the epigenetics are influenced in a positive way and the condition resolves. Klinghardt has also observed complete resolution of Lyme-induced KPU when the infection is managed successfully with biological interventions.    

Final Thoughts
Once patients are on the KPU protocol and mobilized metals have been addressed, the body begins to respond to backlogged infections and significant improvements in the patient's condition are often observed. Hormonal status often improves. Some patients who have been on thyroid medication for years may even become hyperthyroid as the body begins to function more optimally. Other patients may lose weight. Symptoms directly related to low levels of zinc, vitamin B6, biotin, manganese, and arachidonic acid often resolve.
     
Just as homes are built by first laying a solid foundation, addressing KPU and the deficiencies in zinc, vitamin B6, biotin, manganese, and arachidonic acid are key pieces of the puzzle in addressing the complexities of chronic Lyme disease and many other conditions.
     
Evaluation for KPU is one of the first things that Klinghardt pursues in working with patients with chronic illnesses. Implementing the KPU protocol often yields progress that had not previously been possible, and patient recovery is accelerated in a very deep and profound way.

Disclaimer
This article is not intended to provide personal treatment recommendations or to facilitate self-treatment. Treatment should be done only under the care and supervision of a licensed medical authority. Attempts to self-treat the condition may result in unintended negative consequences.

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Scott Forsgren, FDN-P, is the founder of BetterHealthGuy.com, a health coach, blogger, podcaster, health writer, advocate, support group facilitator, and LymeLight Foundation board member. He recovered his own health after a 20-year journey through Lyme disease and mold illness. Today, Scott is grateful for his current state of health and all that he has learned on this life-changing journey. Dr. Klinghardt served as a powerful mentor, teacher, and guide as Scott worked to understand the disease which had previously taken so much of his life and moved toward a place of health and wellness. Scott continues to utilize a maintenance pyroluria protocol which he started almost a decade ago. To follow Scott's work, visit http://www.betterhealthguy.com. His podcast "BetterHealthGuy Blogcasts" is available on his web site and on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, and Stitcher.

Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD, studied medicine and psychology in Freiburg, Germany, completing his PhD on the involvement of the autonomic nervous system in autoimmune disorders. Early in his career, he became interested in the sequelae of chronic toxicity (especially lead, mercury, environmental pollutants, and electromagnetic fields) and its impact on chronic illness. Dr. Klinghardt has contributed significantly to the understanding of metal toxicity and its connection with chronic infections, illness, and pain. He has developed Autonomic Response Testing, a comprehensive evaluation system that has helped many practitioners to become accomplished holistic practitioners. He founded Sophia Health Institute (http://www.sophiaha.com) in 2012, and is actively involved in patient care at his clinic outside of Seattle. More information on his educational seminars can be found through the Klinghardt Academy (http://www.klinghardtacademy.com; US) and the Klinghardt Institute (http://www.klinghardtinstitute.com; UK).

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