ALS means Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and is also known as "Lou
Gehrig's disease". It is a rapidly progressive, invariably fatal
neurological disease that attacks the neuron nerve cells which are
responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. Motor neurons are nerve
cells located in the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord that serve as
controlling units and vital communication links between the nervous
system and the voluntary muscles of the body. Messages from motor
neurons in the brain are transmitted to motor neurons in the spinal cord
which are known as lower motor neurons, and from them to particular
muscles. In the disease ALS, both the upper motor neurons and the lower
motor neurons degenerate or die, and stop sending messages to muscles.
Not able to function, the muscles gradually weaken, waste away, and
twitch. Over time the ability of the brain to start and control
voluntary movement is lost.
Nutrient / Supplement |
Importance
( 1 - 10 ) |
Helpful notes |
Multi-vitamin &
Mineral supplement |
10 |
a natural
good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement will contain
these and other items listed: Zinc, B vitamins, calcium,
magnesium, and potassium. A daily supplement provides nutrients
required for good general health and well being. |
B vitamins |
10 |
B vitamins
are very important for the proper function of your brain and
nervous system. Supplements with natural vitamin B can help with
anxiety problems and disorders. |
vitamin B12 |
10 |
helps with stress and
nervous system |
CoEnzyme Q10 |
10 |
Has shown some results
in helping with ALS. |
Creatine |
9 |
A sport's
supplement that has been used to improve muscle performance and
slow progression of the ALS disease. |
Ginkgo biloba |
9 |
herb that can help
with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
Gotu kola |
9 |
herb that works well
with ginkgo biloba and helps to combat stress, improve
reflexes, and increase mental and physical power. |
Early symptoms include: cramping, twitching, stiffness of muscles;
muscle weakness in arms or legs, slurred speech, difficulty chewing or
swallowing.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis causes weakness with a wide range of
disabilities. Eventually, all muscles under voluntary control are
affected, and patients lose their strength and the ability to move their
arms, legs, and body. When muscles in the diaphragm and chest wall fail,
patients lose the ability to breathe without ventilatory support. Most
people with the disease ALS will die from respiratory failure, often
within 3 to 5 years from the beginning of their symptoms. However, there
is hopeful news in that about 10% of ALS patients survive for 10 or more
years.
Because ALS affects only motor neurons, the disease does not impair a
person's mind, personality, intelligence, or memory. Nor does it affect
a person's ability to see, smell, taste, hear, or recognize touch.
Patients normally maintain control of eye muscles, bladder, and bowel
functions.
Nutrition and lifestyle can play a role in determining how
long a person with ALS survives and their quality of life as well. The
supplemental program and other changes to make listed on this webpage
can help.
Other Changes To Make
-
drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or
filtered water a day
-
eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)
-
nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good
-
juice is good (make your
own with a juice machine)
-
do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods
-
carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack
-
a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)
-
do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks
-
do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...
-
use stress relief like going for walks in the park
(or the 10/90 rule - see
Stress)
-
brown rice is good to eat
-
avoid red meat and animal fats
-
reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others
-
fast a few days a month
-
get at least 8 hours of sleep
-
exercise light to moderate amounts
-
avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet
-
do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke
-
do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal
-
do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry
-
do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else
|