ALS: Is it possible to fight it with Omega-3?
ALS: Could Omega-3 Help?
A diet rich in Omega-3 appears to reduce the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The protective effect of these fatty acids is believed to come from their ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, two processes that contribute to nervous system damage.
This was discovered by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston (USA). The study, aimed at investigating the relationship between polyunsaturated fatty acid intake and ALS risk, was recently published in JAMA Neurology.
The motor neuron disease
ALS is a progressive and fatal disease characterized by paralysis due to degeneration of nerve cells responsible for voluntary muscle movement (motor neurons). Patient death usually occurs from respiratory failure. ALS is relatively rare; currently, there are about 20,000-30,000 people with ALS in the US and around 5,000 new cases diagnosed annually. In Italy, there are at least 3,500 patients and 1,000 new cases per year. The causes of ALS are still unknown, but it is established that it is a multifactorial disease caused by multiple factors. Among the molecular mechanisms involved in neuronal damage are increased oxidative and inflammatory states.
A diet rich in Omega-3 reduces ALS risk
In their observational study, the researchers analyzed data from 1,002,082 individuals (479,114 women and 522,968 men), of whom 996 were developing Lou Gehrig’s disease. By relating the neurodegenerative condition to the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, the researchers found that individuals with high dietary Omega-3 intake had a lower likelihood of developing ALS. Specifically, the group with a high intake of Omega-3-rich foods, such as fish, had about a one-third reduced risk of the disease compared to those with the lowest intake. The study also revealed that higher amounts of alpha-linolenic acid, a fatty acid found in vegetable oils and nuts, were associated with lower risk of the disease.
A study that needs further investigation
Based on the results, the researchers concluded that although a cause-effect relationship cannot be confirmed, there is an association between consumption of Omega-3 rich foods and reduced likelihood of developing ALS. However, this study only examined the risk of developing ALS. Whether high intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids might help treat people who already have the disease remains unclear and requires further research. This finding is important as it suggests that an environmental factor — diet — may be involved in the disease’s onset. The hoped-for future scenario includes developing two types of therapy: one for prevention and one to slow disease progression.
Source: “Dietary ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake and Risk for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis” Kathryn C. Fitzgerald; Éilis J. O’Reilly; Guido J. Falcone; Marjorie L. McCullough; Yikyung Park; Laurence N. Kolonel; Alberto Ascherio. JAMA Neurol. Published online July 14, 2014.
