summary: Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid, may help slow disease progression in ALS patients.
The researchers found that higher blood levels of ALA in ALS patients correlated with slower disease progression and lower risk of death. The researchers studied 449 ALS patients, grouped them according to blood omega-3 fatty acid levels, and monitored disease progression and survival over 18 months.
The results showed that people with high ALA levels had a 50% lower risk of death during the study than those with low ALA levels.
Important facts:
- Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is commonly found in foods such as flaxseeds, walnuts, chia seeds, canola oil, and soybean oil.
- Lead author of the study, Ketil Björnevik, said previous studies have shown that a diet high in ALA may reduce the risk of developing ALS.
- The research team is currently pursuing a randomized trial to finally determine the potential benefits of ALA in ALS patients. Although there are challenges because ALA is not a patentable drug, they aim to secure funding for this important research.
sauce: Harvard University
Intake of omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a nutrient found in foods such as flaxseed, walnuts, chia oil, canola oil, and soybean oil, has been associated with disease in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. may help slow the progression of , according to a new study led by the Harvard TH Chang School of Public Health.
This study will be completed on June 21, 2023 neurology.
“Previous findings by our research group indicate that a diet high in ALA and elevated blood levels of this fatty acid may reduce the risk of developing ALS.
“In this study, we found that among people living with ALS, higher blood levels of ALA were also associated with slower disease progression and a lower risk of death during the study period. said lead author and assistant professor of epidemiology Ketil Björnevik. nutrition.
“These findings, together with our previous studies, suggest that this fatty acid may have neuroprotective effects that benefit ALS patients.”
Researchers conducted a study of 449 people with ALS who participated in a clinical trial. As part of the trial, patients were tested for severity of symptoms and disease progression and were scored on a scale of 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating less severe disease.
The researchers measured omega-3 fatty acid levels in the participants’ blood and divided them into four groups, ranging from high to low omega-3 fatty acid levels. A follow-up was then performed after 18 months to follow the group’s physical function and survival status according to clinical trials.
They found ALA to be the most beneficial of all omega-3 fatty acids. This is because ALA is most strongly associated with delayed decline and reduced risk of death.
Of the 126 participants who died within 18 months of study entry, 33% belonged to the group with the lowest ALA levels and 19% belonged to the group with the highest ALA levels.
Adjusting for factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, BMI, duration of symptoms, and family history of ALS, the researchers found that participants with the highest ALA levels were more likely to survive the study than those with the lowest. calculated a 50% lower risk of death during level of ALA.
Two additional fatty acids were also associated with decreased risk of death during the study period. eicosapentaenoic acid, another omega-3 fatty acid found in fatty fish and fish oils, and linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found in vegetable oils. nuts and seeds.
“The link between diet and ALS that we found in our study is interesting,” said lead author Alberto Ascherio, professor of epidemiology and nutrition.
“We are currently in contact with clinical researchers to promote randomized trials to determine if ALA is beneficial for people with ALS. ALA is not a patentable drug. So funding is difficult, but we want to make it happen.”
About this ALS Research News
author: Ketil Bjornevik
sauce: Harvard University
contact: Ketil Bjornevik – Harvard University
image: Image credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: Findings are displayed below neurology
