ALS - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
DESCRIPTION
ALS - or Lou Gehrig's disease, as it is popularly known
- is a degenerative disease of motor neurons, characterised
by weakness and atrophy of hand and arm muscles, spreading
throughout the body and face. The disease usually begins
in middle age and progresses rapidly; it is invariably fatal
within two to five years. Approximately one or two cases
per 100,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with the condition
every year.
The indicators of the
onset of ALS may include muscle stiffness or weakness of
the limbs and trunk, progressing to wasting and paralysis.
Commonly, symptoms are likely to include tripping, loss
of limb control, slurred speech and uncontrollable periods
of laughter or tears. Vital functions are also affected
in the areas of chewing, swallowing, respiration and speech.
HERBS
Ginkgo Biloba (1)
NUTRITIONAL
SUPPLEMENTS
Fish Oil
Phosphatidylserine,
Selenium (3)
Vitamin A
Vitamin C (2)
REFERENCES
1. Koltringer P, et al: Ginkgo Biloba extract and Folic
Acid in the therapy of changes caused by autonomic neuropathy,
Acta Med Austriaca, 16(2), 1989, p 35-37
2. Kok AB: Ascorbate availability and neurodegeneration
in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Med-Hypotheses, 1997,
48(4), 281-96
3. Apostolski S, et al: Glutathione peroxidase in amytrophic
lateral sclerosis - the effects of Selenium SUPPLEMENTation,
J-Environ-Pathol-Toxicol-Oncol, 1998, 17(3-4), p 325-9
