Copper, Zinc, Pyroluria and Histamine by Bill Billica, MD

Brief Summary

This video discusses the work of Dr. Pfeiffer and his research on nutrient-based therapies for mental health conditions. It covers the main causes he identified in his patients, including histopenia, high histamine, and crypto pyrroles, and how these conditions can be addressed with specific nutrients. The video also touches on the importance of diet, lifestyle, and the challenges faced by individuals with high histamine levels in maintaining long-term recovery.

• Dr. Pfeiffer identified five main causes in 95% of his 20,000 patients, including histopenia, high histamine, and crypto pyrroles.
• Nutrient-based therapies can provide significant benefits for improvement and recovery in these patients.
• High histamine individuals often struggle with relapse due to their desire for control and independence, leading them to discontinue supplements prematurely.
• Cryptopyrroles are a waste product of blood production, and elevated levels can cause problems, with the condition being more prevalent in specific populations like schizophrenics and those in addiction programs.
• Testing for histamine levels can be affected by supplements and medications, so it's important to consider this when interpreting results.

Dr. Pfeiffer's Research and Main Causes

Dr. Pfeiffer, an orthomolecular psychiatrist, focused on supplying cells with the right nutrients to treat various conditions. He emphasized the importance of allowing sufficient time for these treatments to take effect, although he noted that crypto pyroluria can show significant improvement within a week. From his work at the Princeton Brain Bio Center with 20,000 patients, Pfeiffer identified five main causes for their conditions: histopenia and high copper (50%), high histamine and low copper (20%), crypto pyrroles with low zinc and low B6 (30%), as well as gluten and hypoglycemia. These five conditions accounted for 95% of his patients, and he found that nutrient-based therapies provided significant benefits for their improvement or recovery.

Symptoms and Treatment Approaches

High copper, low zinc, and low histamine can present similar symptoms, although copper and zinc disorders can occur independently of histamine issues. Classic symptoms include anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and seizures. Treatment approaches involve a lower protein, complex carbohydrate diet, with limited sugar and refined foods. Calcium and magnesium are also used, with magnesium and vitamin C helping to modulate histamine, while calcium releases histamine for breakdown. Inositol is beneficial for calming the mind, particularly for those with high histamine levels, aiding in sleep, although it can sometimes cause tiredness.

Challenges with High Histamine Individuals

Individuals with high histamine levels are often driven and desire control, which can lead them to believe they don't need support. This mindset contributes to relapse in addiction programs, as they may stop taking supplements after a month or two, thinking they can manage on their own, only to return to drugs and alcohol shortly after. Reassurance is important to convey that the goal isn't to make them passive but to reduce the need for drugs to control their wired minds and improve sleep.

Understanding Cryptopyrroles

Cryptopyrroles are a waste product of blood and hemoglobin production, present in everyone's body. Problems arise when levels become elevated, which is an inherited trait. In the general population, it's found in about 10-11%, but Pfeiffer's testing showed it in 30% of schizophrenics. In the addiction program, it has been observed in about 20% of the population over 15 years.

Considerations for Histamine Testing

The accuracy of histamine tests can be affected by supplements, medications, and antihistamines. It's advisable to discontinue multi-vitamins or supplements for a couple of days before testing, although the effectiveness of this short break may vary. Typically, individuals who are struggling are not already taking supplements, providing a clearer opportunity for accurate testing.