Tag Archives: natural remedies for ALS

6 Ways to Help You Manage Your ALS Symptoms

ALS, Supplements, Uncategorized, ,

natural remedies for als

Those living with ALS experience a vast and varying degree of complications that accompany the disease. Although there have been extensive advancements with remedies, treatments, and devices, resources are limited and complex. Daily living proves difficult in even the simplest tasks. Yet, not everything must be so difficult. Here’s a list of simple and natural ways to help you with your symptoms and overall wellbeing.

  1. Eat a Nutritional Diet – The most important part of a nutritional diet for PALS is to remove toxins and eliminate the risk of damaging motor neurons by free radicals. Remove all sugars and processed foods1. Next you will need to introduce nutrient-dense and whole foods filled with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Organic foods like free range chicken, grass-fed beef, healthy fats, and fruits and vegetables are examples of quality nutritional foods.
  2. Exercise – To help prevent atrophy, improve mobility, and strengthen muscles, non-exhaustive exercise has shown to be beneficial in patients with ALS. Typical exercise regiments should consist of aerobic exercise, breathing exercises, stretching, and light resistance movements. Also, for those in more advanced stages of ALS, caregiver assisted stretching is beneficial to prevent pressure point sores and contractures. Overall, exercise for ALS may slow progression of motor neuron degradation, help patients maintain a high level of function, and improve respiratory capacity3. It is advised to seek a professionally developed program designed by a licensed physical therapist.
  3. Occupational Therapy – This type of therapy provides rehabilitative care for activities required in daily living to patients recuperating from a physical or mental illness. Difficulties that occur for patients with ALS such as bathing, dressing, swallowing, and walking are fundamentally improved through programs of occupational therapy. Assisted devices, tools, and clothing, which can facilitate mobility and daily activities, are easily accessible. Studies show that people with ALS involved in multidisciplinary programs have longer life spans, due to social involvement and better mental health4.
  4. Supplements – A great way to ensure ALS patients are getting the appropriate vitamins, minerals and nutrients is through supplements for ALS. Avoiding malnutrition and ensuring an adequate dietary intake is a key factor in preventing atrophy, infection, and a weakened immune system5. Antioxidants and detoxifiers are equally important for preventing damage from oxidation and free radicals. Although there are various supplements that are recommended for patients with ALS, some of the more notable ones are Vitamin E and C, Vitamin B-complex, AAKG, GABA, Ubiquinol, Niacin, Vitamin D, CoQ10, Calcium, Magnesium, Selenium, Zinc, and fish oil1. The best supplements for ALS provide several benefits such as: energy production, detoxification, maintaining bone and muscle mass, improving cellular and mitochondrial function, and more1. You can find many of these supplements at simplesanutrition.com.
  5. Emotional Support – The burdens of ALS do not only affect the body, but places a heavy toll on mental and emotional health. The stress of coping with a debilitating disease is difficult to manage. Support from family and caregivers is essential to emotional well-being. For help with managing stress, depression or anxiety it can be very helpful to work with a therapist trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, which emphasizes the importance of underlying thoughts in determining how we feel and act6. There are also various support groups and forums where you can speak to others in similar circumstances.
  6. Sleep and Rest – One of the various struggles in managing ALS is constant exhaustion compounded by the inability to get restful sleep. The lack of sleep can cause another layer of complications to add to the already difficult effects of ALS. To prevent this restless cycle, there are some tips to help you secure better sleep. Some of these activities are: being active during the day, aromatherapy, eating foods that increase serotonin and melatonin, taking magnesium, adhering to a sleep schedule, drinking tea, taking a warm bath, exercise, meditation, reading, and taking soothing natural herbs. Other remedies for trouble sleeping due to pain include muscle rubs using lavender and peppermint oils, massage therapy and acupuncture, Epsom salt baths, and foam roller exercises, with the approval of a physical therapist. New remedies such as Hemp-Oil show promise in soothing and calming patients and getting them in a more restful mindset.

This is not an all-encompassing or complex list of suggestions for help with your ALS systems, but rather a simplified and natural way to tweak your daily routine. Make changes and introduce new habits at a rate that is comfortable for you. These tips can be implemented easily and may have significant improvements on living with ALS. Stay strong!

References:

  1. Levy, Jillian. “Lou Gehrig’s Disease (+ 6 Ways to Help Manage ALS Symptoms).” Dr. Axe Food is Medicine, 1 Feb. 2018, https://draxe.com/lou-gehrigs-disease/.
  2. Tedone M.D., V.M., Tedone-Gage, D., & Tedone, C. The Deanna Protocol Hope for ALS and Other Neurological Conditions. Tampa: Paradies/ Inspire, LLC, 2015. Print.
  3. Andrew J Lui, Nancy N Byl. A Systematic Review of the Effect of Moderate Intensity Exercise on Function and Disease Progression in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. JNPT Vol 33, June 2009 p68-87.
  4. Arbesman, Marian; Sheard, Kendra. “Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy–Related Interventions for People With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.” AJOT, Jan. 2014, https://ajot.aota.org/article.aspx?articleid=1863110/.
  5. Rosenfeld, Jeffrey, and Amy Ellis. “Nutrition and Dietary Supplements in Motor Neuron Disease.” Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America 19.3 (2008): 573–x. PMC. Web. 4 Oct. 2018.
  6. Levy, Jillian. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Benefits & Techniques. Dr. Axe Food is Medicine, 30 Apr. 2018, https://draxe.com/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/.

The Nutritional Supplement approach to ALS!

ALS, Blog, ,

A natural and cost-effective alternative.

supplements for als

It is widely understood by the ALS community that there are limited solutions for the treatment of this devastating disease. The widely varying progression from patient to patient makes it difficult to standardize the appropriate approach. Not enough information is known and not enough research has been done. Pharmaceutical drugs are costly, cumbersome, and the benefits are often marginal.

An alternative approach to pharmaceuticals (or even an additional approach to pharmaceuticals), is to ensure that the body has the essential supplements for ALS and nutrients that it needs to help protect against the progress of this disease and to also provide much needed energy to the cells. Often, the worst case scenario with supplementation is that nothing perceivable happens, or that there are very mild side-effects from taking these supplements, many of which already occur naturally in the body. The best case scenario, however, can be delayed disease progression, reduced severity of the symptoms, and an overall improved quality of life.

The Deanna Protocol (DP), created by Dr. Vincent Tedone, is one such approach. This Protocol was initially based on Dr. Tedone’s research with his daughter, Deanna, who was diagnosed with ALS nearly 10 years ago. According to Dr. Tedone, the DP works because it provides two primary mechanisms of action. The first, is that it provides the body with the nutritional supplementation it needs and that allows the body to properly metabolize and remove excess glutamate, the leading cause of nerve cell death. The second mechanism, is that the DP provides nerve cells (neurons) with additional energy that help keep the neurons healthy and functioning for longer.

The Deanna Protocol consists primarily of the following naturally occurring supplements:

AAKG and AKG (Arganine Alpha Ketoglutarate)
AKG is the key supplement providing energy to the cells and is required by the body to keep cells alive. The Arganine in AAKG improves the palate of the AKG and makes it easier on the stomach. Arganine also produces the free radical, nitrous oxide (NO). The NO can increase blood flow, which possibly assists in the removal of excess glutamate in the blood stream. Excess glutamate is the cause of cellular death in ALS. Those with preexisting heart conditions should consult with their physician before consuming arginine.

Ubiquinol (CoQ10) helps the energy cycle in mitochondria and is known for its antioxidant properties. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have been implicated in the pathophysiology of ALS. CoQ10 also promotes energy and overall vitality and helps normalize circulation.

Niacin and 5-hydroxytryptophane are precursors to NADH, which is unable to be absorbed by the GI system. NADH is essential in several of the reactions of the energy cycle and is also important in transporting electrons.

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. In patients with ALS, excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters are out of balance, which necessitates the addition of GABA. This balance of neurotransmitters reduces anxiety and rigidity of the muscles.

Glutathione is critically important for detoxification. With its anti-inflammatory properties, it’s considered one of the most important antioxidants in the healthy functioning of cells. The body uses glutathione to protect against toxins. Cells deficient in glutathione have difficulty defending against toxins in food, pollution, radiation, carcinogens, heavy metals, and drugs.

These supplements for ALS, when combined in the appropriate doses and quantities as provided by Simplesa Nutrition, can detox the body and may improve mobility, reduce pain, increase energy, and a plethora of other health benefits. It’s often up to you, the patient with ALS, in association with your doctor, to determine the best treatment protocol or combination of protocols that works best for you. Consider nutritional supplements as an additional support in your fight against neurodegenerative diseases.

Sources:
1.    Tedone M.D., V.M., Tedone-Gage, D., & Tedone, C. The Deanna Protocol Hope for ALS and Other Neurological Conditions. Tampa: Paradies/ Inspire, LLC, 2015. Print.
2.    ALS News Today: To ‘B’ or Not to ‘B’?. July 25, 2018 by Rick Jobus
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.