Antioxidants for ALS Patients |
Antioxidants for ALS - Most of you have heard of antioxidants and that they are good for you. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive chemicals produced in our bodies that indiscriminately attack and destroy tissue causing aging, inflammation and disease. |
| Free radical damage is associated with many degenerative disorders including ALS. Neurological disorders create a massive production of free radicals over a long period of time and a depletion of the body's antioxidant defenses. In a study published by Neurochemical Research, ALS patients had significantly higher levels of oxidative stress compared to controls. And virtually every team of scientists investigating ALS world-wide agree that the free radicals play a central role in the destruction of brain neurons. |
Protect Yourself with Antioxidants for ALS |
| Reducing free radical damage in the body is critical for all patients with neurological disorders. Antioxidants combat free radicals by providing protection from oxidative stress. Several studies have shown that increasing antioxidants in the diet slows the course of neuro-degenerative disorders and may prevent these diseases in some cases. The most important antioxidants include detoxification enzymes such as glutathione, vitamins such as vitamin C and vitamin E, and nutritional supplements such as coenzyme Q10. |
Coenzyme Q10 |
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble natural vitamin-like substance produced by the body, and serves two major functions. CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells against free radical damage, and is also a natural compound that acts inside the mitochondria, the "powerhouse" of the cell, where it's involved in cell energy production. Coenzyme-Q10 (or CoQ10) is available from many manufacturers in a number of different forms. Until recently the reduced form ubiquinol was difficult to manufacture due to its rapid oxidation in the air. New technology has allowed for the manufacturing of stable coenzyme Q10 in the reduced form. The results from an animal study that compared the absorption of the two different forms, as well as a human study showing significant absorption of ubiquinol, showed that taking ubiquinol orally will offer much improved bioavailablility. |
| NOTE: Although CoQ10 is safe and relatively well tolerated, roughly two percent of individuals using CoQ10 experience side effects that may include nausea, upset stomach, rash, diarrhea, headache and irritability. Although there is no concrete published data on CoQ10's interactions with other drugs, some information suggests that CoQ10 may interact with certain blood thinners, such as Warfarin (Coumadin). |
Glutathione |
| Glutathione is one of the most crucial and powerful antioxidants naturally present in the body. It has many important funtions, two of them critical for patients with neurological disorders. ALS patients have been found to have strikingly low levels of glutathione in their cerebrospinal fluid, even when other biochemical changes are not yet detectable. This has profound implications - not only may a deficiency of glutathione play a role in the development of ALS, but its supplementation may be a powerful therapeutic intervention. Glutathione's potential is supported by research from Harvard Medical School. The authors stated that, "Pertubations for free radical homeostasis are proposed to cause ALS. A corollary hypothesis is that antioxidants should slow the course of the disease. One strategy for antioxidant therapy is to manipulate levels of glutathione...". What they are saying is that supplying the body with glutathione may be able to favorably affect the healing process for neurological patients. |
Glutathione's Two Critical Functions |
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| 1) It is a major player in detoxifying the body of many toxic pollutants, including toxic metals and chemicals. Glutathione deficiency impairs the body's ability to get rid of toxins whether they are environmental or the by-products of cellular metabolism. If we have low glutathione levels we slowly become toxic, storing away poisons in our tissues, organs, muscles and brain. We simply cannot detoxify effectively if our glutathione levels are too low, no matter what form of detoxification we undertake. For instance, epidemiological studies have shown that ALS is twice as common in individuals who have a history of exposure to agricultural chemicals, and twice as common in Gulf War veterans. However, not all exposed individuals go on to develop ALS. The reason may be that certain people lack the ability to eliminate toxins because of inadequacies in their detoxification systems. Glutathione deficiency is directly linked to the reduced ability to detoxify. 2) Glutathione is a powerful antiviral and antimicrobial agent. A glutathione deficiency compromises our ability to fight off bacteria and keep old viruses dormant. This is why so many of us test positive for Epstein Barr Virus, Cytomegalo Virus, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia Pneumoniae, Poliomyelitis, etc. ALS researchers have long suspected a viral component to ALS, since many neurodegenerative disorders are associated with chronic infections, including mycoplasma and latent virus infections. According to David Perlumetter, M.D. (a board certified neurologist): |
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How to Supplement with Glutathione |
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Glutathione is a supplement that is extremely difficult to absorb. Most oral supplements are worthless, because the digestive tract destroys the nutrient before it can be absorbed. However, there is a brand new technology now called liposomal technology, that can create an oral glutathione your body can truly absorb. It survives the trip through your intestines because the glutathione is contained in microscopic little pouches called liposomes. Thus, the glutathione enters your bloodstream intact. A cell culture study was conducted on glutathione at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School by Gail Zeevalk, PhD. The study showed the neuro-protective nature of the Liposomal Glutathione from damage due to the known neuro-toxicants maneb (fungicide) and paraquat (herbicide). |
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Non-Denatured Whey - A Natural Glutathione Precursor |
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| Non-denatured whey protein has been shown to restore intracellular glutathione levels, something that neither glutathione supplementation nor injections have been able to accomplish to any significant degree. It contains exceptionally high levels of non-denatured cysteine and non-denatured glutamine, which is the "safe" form of glutathione. | |
| For more information on the safe and non-safe forms of glutamine, click here for our ALS diet report. |
The Difference Between Regular Whey Protein and Non-Denatured Whey Protein |
Traditionally, even the most expensive whey products available (isolates, ion exchange and hydrolyzed) are by-products of cheese manufacture. The milk goes through a heating process at high temperatures (163 degrees F) which damages the whey proteins. These manufactured whey proteins are also high in MSG (manufactured glutamic acid), which is toxic to neurological patients - click on the above link for a discussion of MSG. In fact, typical whey protein powders may be detrimental to patients with neurological disorders because they contribute to an excess of glutamate in the body. Additionally, they contain the full range and highest levels of the most important protein components: Lactoferrin, Immunogloblins, Active Peptides and Growth Factors. Non-denatured whey protein is acknowledged by the medical establishment as a dietary supplement that supports immune function and detoxification. It is now listed in the Physicians Desk Reference (PDR). NOTE: It is important to use whey protein from herds that graze on disease-free, pesticide-free, chemical-free, natural grass pastures and the milking of the cows are not subjected to any chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, or injected pathogens. |
Precautionary Notes |
| Glutathione may not be effective when given orally in supplement form, depending on the type and quality, and only mildly effective when given intravenously. Oral nutritional supplements that enhance the body's ability to produce glutathione such as NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine) can be a problem when a patient has toxic metal accumulation - experimental evidence from animal studies have shown that supplementation of cysteine at high doses can actually increase the transport of mercury into the brain. Based on these studies, it is suggested that high doses (ie. 500 mg three times daily) of cysteine or NAC can facilitate the redistribution of mercury from tissues and organs throughout the body into the brain, where it elicits neurotoxic effects. ALS patients have higher levels of mercury and aluminum in their tissues compared to the general population, so supplementation with NAC or cysteine should be done extrememly cautiously (less than 300 mg) or not at all. |
Alpha Lipoic Acid |
This wonderful and inexpensive antioxidant is both fat and water soluble, unlike most familiar antioxidants. Its fat solubility means that it has the ability to cross the blood/brain barrier and enter the brain. This makes it a highly important substance for neurodegenerative disorders. There are two forms of alpha-lipoic acid, an S-form and an R-form. Researchers believe that R-Form may be "up to 12 times more effective" than regular alpha lipoic acid which contains a synthetic by-product. |
Other Antioxidants |
| Additional antioxidants for ALS such as vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E are discussed on our "Vitamins and Minerals" page. |
| Recommended: One thing we recommend for anyone who has symptoms of ALS is to have a hair mineral analysis test done. |
How can a hair analysis help one achieve better health? If we consider that diet is what we consume and nutrition is what we retain, then we can see that discovering what the body needs when it needs it is a valuable tool in creating health.
A hair analysis can determine which essential minerals the body is needing more of and which toxic elements it needs to eliminate. It also provides valuable insight into the body's metaoblism and what dietary changes would be most helpful for recovery. |
| Visit or Return to our page on Therapies for Neurological Health. |
More Information on Alternative Support Therapies for ALS |
Other Useful Information for People with ALS |
Useful Tests Detoxification Therapy pH Balance Therapy Antioxidant Therapy Herbal Therapy Vitamins and Minerals Viral & Bacterial Support Supportive Supplements ALS Links and Resources |
Causes of ALS Early Symptoms of ALS Genetic Testing for ALS Diagnosing ALS ALS and Dental Amalgams Dietary Regimen for ALS Medications for ALS Stem Cell Therapy |
Thank you for visiting our page on Antioxidants for ALS! |
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