A Healthy Diet for Motor Neuron Disease
When it comes to Motor Neuron Disease (MND)/ amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), diet plays a prominent part, as a lower BMI is linked to worsening disease symptoms. Maintaining a healthy body weight for optimum functioning, metabolism, and nutrition optimization is critical for the treatment of MND with a healthy diet. Weight loss and hypermetabolism side effects can be harmful to the affected patients if they do not eat a nutritious diet. Medical professionals treating this disease have studied the benefits of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids. Researchers have also discovered that a diet high in saturated fats, carbohydrates, and glutamate is linked to an increased risk of MND/ALS and the beginning of the condition at an early age.
Malnutrition has well-documented implications in the affected patients. Inadequate food intake can increase catabolism and respiratory muscle atrophy, as well as impair the immune system and promote infection. Weight loss and a lower-than-normal body mass index (BMI) due to insufficient energy intake are associated with a shorter survival time in ALS patients.
Since individuals with Lou Gehrig’s disease are unable to swallow or chew their food properly, a high-calorie meal with nutritional optimization is suggested. However, based on energy sources, the portions of various meals in the diet are highly debatable. As a result, nutraceuticals and nutritional supplements are used to help with MND treatment, bypassing the dispute.
Nutraceuticals are minerals, vitamins, and organic plant-based foods that help patients get enough micronutrients in their diet. When it comes to nutraceuticals in the treatment, a specific mention should be made of the Deanna Protocol, which involves a dietary supplement regimen to promote cellular function in addition to hypothesized neuroprotection.
However this technique has not been clinically established, it has demonstrated to be effective in a few investigations. Doctors absolutely believe that high-calorie nutrition and targeted particular dietary supplements should be given to MND patients to help them manage their disease and improve their quality of life. Let’s have a look at some specific dietary recommendations for the affected individuals:
- Vitamin B12: B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for nervous system homeostasis, and studies have indicated that injecting B12 into the muscle within 12 months after symptom onset slows disease progression and extends life.
- Fibre: Reducing inflammation and improving gut health are two benefits of increasing dietary fibre. These fibres aid in the optimal expression of gastrointestinal hormones such as ghrelin, which helps to stimulate appetite.
- Carnitine: Carnitine is an important antioxidant that protects neural tissues from oxidative damage and stress. This antioxidant can be found in milk, beans, and avocado.
- Enteral Nutrition: In MND patients who have difficulties swallowing food (also known as dysphagia), the approach of hypercaloric feeding through a gastrostomy (PEG) has been shown to improve survival rates and enhance MND treatment.
Supplements for Nutritional Support
A dietician can analyse the nutritional needs of a person with MND. This aids in the formulation of advice on how to prevent weight loss while improving the individual’s nutrient intake in a controllable manner. To meet the caloric requirements, a balanced diet rich in carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins is recommended. Supplements could be recommended for those who have lost weight or who have trouble swallowing, chewing, or eating sufficient food. These can be consumed instead of or in addition to food and also include:
- Protein powders
- Energy bar
- Juice or milk-based liquids
- Tablets
Supplements for the treatment of ALS
In the MND populations, supplements are frequently used for treatment; over 75% of patients report using them. Regardless of the lack of clinical study proof, many people continue to use them on the basis of personal anecdotes of their apparent effectiveness. The ease of access to these supplements, along with the degenerative nature of the disease, entices people with MND to seek them as a therapeutic option.
The supplements used frequently promise to fight specific causes of motor neuron cell loss, such as:
- Inflammation
- Oxidative Stress
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
- The death of neurons induced by excessive excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate activation
While there is a lot of evidence for the usage of these supplements, there isn’t any clinical proof to back up their effectiveness as a treatment for ALS. Further studies should also look into the effect of taking multiple supplements at the same time, as many patients do. Before making dietary changes, anyone with motor neuron disease should contact a doctor or neurologist.
The focus on antioxidants and tailored macronutrient dietary supplements can have a positive impact on the course of treatment, however, conventional treatments for MND do not have a high success rate, and patients are largely reliant on physiotherapies and occupational therapies or other alternative therapies like stem cell therapy.
