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The link between Omega3 rich diets & slowed ALS progression

The link between Omega3 rich diets & slowed ALS progression

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Numerous health advantages of omega-3 fatty acids are well documented. Harvard University researchers have discovered that those with ALS who consume meals strong in omega-3 fatty acids may experience a slower pace of physical deterioration and a longer survival time.

Additionally, researchers discovered that participants in the trial who consumed more omega-6 fatty acids had a lower risk of passing away. Omega-3 fatty acids have long been known to have several positive effects on health, according to a study.

According to earlier research, these good fats, which may be found in various plants and shellfish, may help stave off diseases like metabolic syndrome, autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer’s, age-related macular degeneration, and cardiovascular disease.

Now, researchers from Harvard University have discovered that those who consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may experience a slower rate of physical decline and a longer survival time if they have the incurable, degenerative neurological disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Consuming omega-6 fatty acids, according to the researchers, was also linked to a lower chance of passing away among study participants.

ALS: What is it?

A condition affecting the body’s central nervous system, namely the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, is ALS, sometimes referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Over time, a person loses the ability to control their leg, arm, and face movements due to ALS, which damages the neurons necessary for movement. People with ALS may eventually lose the ability to talk and swallow, in severe situations.

Within a population of 100,000 individuals, there are “two new ALS cases each year,” according to the ALS Association. Males are more likely to get ALS than females, and it often strikes persons between the ages of 40 and 70.

ALS symptoms include:

  • weakness in the hands, legs, feet, or ankles
  • having trouble walking
  • falling or stumbling
  • discomfort in the shoulders or arms
  • having trouble swallowing
  • muddled speech
  • fatigue
  • cognitive problems.

Although the actual etiology of ALS is still unknown, researchers think genetics and environmental risk factors may be involved.

ALS presently has no known cure. Certain treatments can aid with symptom relief. With some individuals living longer, the typical life expectancy for someone with ALS is frequently between 2 and 5 years.

A diet for ALS

The lead author of this study, Dr. Kjetil Bjornevik, assistant professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University, says he and his research group chose to investigate the relationship between diet and ALS because they were interested in identifying modifiable risk factors for neurological disorders, such as dietary factors.

He told Medical News Today, “We have done studies in the past that have shown that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly alpha-linolenic acid, may decrease the risk of developing ALS.”

Therefore, he continued, “we were interested in investigating whether a diet high in these fatty acids is also connected with a slower rate of disease development in those who have already been given an ALS diagnosis.

This is not the first time that scientists have looked at how essential fatty acids affect ALS. A 2017 study indicated that maintaining motor neuron activity in ALS requires a mix of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Additionally, according to study from 2019 that was published, omega-3 fatty acids could be used to make drugs to treat neurological diseases.

ALS research on omega-3 fatty acids

Dr. Bjornevik and his team gathered 449 ALS patients with an average age of 58 years for this study. Participants in the study were monitored for 18 months. 126 people, or 28% of the participants, died over that time.

Researchers measured each participant’s blood concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, each participant earned a score between zero and 48 on 12 physical tasks, such as speaking, chewing, and swallowing, with higher values indicating higher function.

The subjects with the greatest levels of omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid had an average score of 38.3 at the beginning of the trial, according to analysis. The average score for those with the lowest amount was 37.6.

The research team also discovered that only 21 of the 126 deaths happened in the group with the highest levels of alpha-linolenic acid in their bodies, as opposed to 37 deaths that occurred in the group with the lowest levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

Dr. Bjornevik and his team discovered research participants with the highest quantity of alpha-linolenic acid had a 50% lower risk of death during the trial, compared to those in the lowest amount group, after accounting for age, sex, and ethnicity.

According to Dr. Bjornevik’s research, some omega-3 fatty acids, such as alpha-linolenic acid, may benefit those who have ALS. He did, however, issue a warning: “Randomised clinical trials are required to establish whether supplementation with this fatty acid is beneficial.”

Omega-6 fatty acids might be helpful.

A lower chance of passing away during the study period was linked by the research team to linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid.

Dr. Bjornevik noted that linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid linked to a lower risk of death in his study, is also an essential fatty acid that can only be received by food.

“However, it is less apparent whether and how this fatty acid benefits ALS patients. Since omega-3 fatty acids were linked to a lower chance of developing ALS in prior studies, we largely focused on them in this work,” the researcher said.

Cautious optimism

We also discussed this study with Dr. Stephen Johnson, a Mayo Clinic expert in neuromuscular diseases.

He said, “I read the study with great curiosity and cautious optimism since I am always eager for the next breakthrough that might slow down, stop, or even reverse the progression of the ALS disease“.

“The study’s results are intriguing and open the door for more research, which is necessary to more precisely answer the question of whether or not specific fatty acids can prolong life and halt the advancement of ALS disease. We already have an association, but we need to do our homework to determine whether it can be replicated in the context of a more thorough scientific investigation,” according to Dr. Stephen Johnson.

Dr. Johnson expressed his preference for a sizable prospective phase 2/3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess the identified possibly advantageous fatty acids as the next stage in this investigation.

“This trial should pay particular attention to participant diet, medications/supplements, and any potential confounders, in addition to measuring longevity and participant function,” he said. However, a phase 1 clinical trial will probably need to be conducted first.

Dr. Johnson continued, “By taking these next steps, just as we would with any pharmaceutical medication, we can assess whether the association is more than just an association and whether specific dietary supplementation of fatty acids should be added to the standard of care for people with ALS.”

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Significance of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & its cause.

Significance of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & its cause.

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A set of progressive neurological illnesses known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) affect the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that regulate muscular action.

Although ALS is an umbrella term for a number of disorders, many specialists still refer to it as a single illness. The most prevalent variety of motor neuron disease is collectively ALS. In honour of a well-known baseball star who suffered from it, it is occasionally referred to as Lou Gehrig’s sickness.

Although the precise origin is unknown, genetic and environmental factors may be at play. Despite the fact that there is no cure, treatments can reduce the symptoms and enhance quality of life.

What is ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)?

In the arms, legs, and face, for example, ALS targets the nerve cells that control the voluntary muscular movements that a healthy person is capable of controlling. Motor neurons are the targeted cells.

These cells deteriorate and die as ALS worsens. The brain is no longer able to govern voluntary movement because the muscles stop communicating with the brain. The muscles deteriorate and deteriorate over time.

How does ALS affect your body?

Your motor neurons’ (nerve cells’) ability to communicate with your muscles is deteriorating. There are two kinds of motor neurons:

  • Upper motor neurons are the motor nerve cells in your brain and spinal cord. Their responsibility is to communicate with lower motor neurons.
  • Lower motor neurons, also known as motor nerve cells, are found in the spinal cord and brain stem (lower part of the brain). The top motor neurons provide them instructions. Your muscles are then instructed to move by the messages they convey.

Both upper and lower motor neurons are typically impacted by ALS. If predominantly upper or mostly lower motor neurons are damaged, you could have various symptoms.

Muscle stiffness results from diseases of the upper motor neurons. Muscle tone declines as a result of lower motor neuron disorders. Weakness is a result of both upper and lower motor neuron issues.

Signs and symptoms

All ALS patients experience progressive muscle weakness, albeit this may not be the initial symptom. Early indications and symptoms might not be very visible. Over time, they become increasingly apparent, albeit each person experiences this transition differently.

Typical signs include:

All ALS patients experience progressive muscle weakness, albeit this may not be the initial symptom. Early indications and symptoms might not be very visible. Over time, they become increasingly apparent, albeit each person experiences this transition differently.

Such signs include:

  • walking and other regular activities challenging
  • Clumsiness has increased
  • weakness in the hands, legs, ankles, and feet
  • twitching and cramping in the tongue, shoulders, or arms
  • difficulties holding the head erect and maintaining excellent posture
  • Emotional lability is the term for the condition of uncontrolled laughing or sobbing fits.
  • alterations in the mind or memory
  • Speech that is slurred and voice projection issues
  • pain
  • fatigue
  • issues with mucous and saliva
  • progressively worse breathing and swallowing issues

Clumsiness, peculiar limb weariness, muscle cramps and jerks, as well as slurred speech, are frequent early symptoms. As the illness worsens, a person has symptoms all over their body.

Frontotemporal dementia, a type of dementia, develops in some ALS patients as a result of decision-making and memory issues. Mood swings and emotional responses can be brought on by emotional lability.

What Are the Main Types of ALS?

ALS is of two main types:

  • ALS sporadic is the most typical types of ALS. Up to 95% of those who have the condition are affected. Sporadic meaning that it occurs infrequently and without apparent cause.
  • Familial ALS (FALS) is a genetic condition. This type affects 5% to 10% of ALS patients. A gene is altered, which results in FALS. Children inherit the defective gene from their parents. Each of their offspring will have a 50% risk of inheriting the gene and developing the disease if one parent carries the ALS gene.

Causes of ALS

Motor neurons in ALS die for unknown reasons, according to researchers. Between 5% and 10% of cases of ALS are caused by gene alterations or mutations. ALS has been associated with more than 12 distinct gene alterations.

One modification involves a gene that produces the SOD1 protein. Motor neurons may be harmed by this protein. Motor neurons may potentially be harmed by other gene alterations in ALS.

Environmental factors may potentially contribute to ALS. Researchers are looking at whether exposure to specific chemicals or bacteria increases the risk of contracting the illness. For instance, ALS has been diagnosed more frequently than typical in veterans of the 1991 Gulf War.

Scientists are also investigating these additional potential causes:

  • Glutamate. The brain and nerves receive and transmit impulses via this molecule. This kind of neurotransmitter exists. Glutamate may harm nerve cells when it accumulates surrounding them in ALS.
  • The drug riluzole (Rilutek), which lowers glutamate levels, can halt the progression of the illness.
  • Immune system difficulties. Your immune system defends your body from external intruders like viruses and germs. Microglia are the predominant immune cell type in your brain. They eliminate pathogens and damaged cells. Microglia may also obliterate sound motor neurons in ALS.
  • Mitochondrial issues: Your cells’ mitochondria are the organelles responsible for producing energy. A issue with them could cause ALS or exacerbate an already existing condition.
  • Stress from oxidation. Your body’s cells convert oxygen into energy. Your body may convert some of the oxygen it requires to produce energy into dangerous compounds called free radicals, which can harm cells. These free radicals can be controlled by the antioxidant drug edaravone (Radicava).

Every day, new information concerning ALS is discovered. They will be able to create drugs to alleviate symptoms and enhance the lives of those who have this disease with the help of what they learn.

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