The list of consumable supplements further down the page includes
CBD Oil + scientific research study for ALS
Probitoic Packets + scientific research study for ALS
Vitamins, Minerals, & Other Natural Chemicals our bodies need + scientific research study for all 16 vits, mins, & natural chems for ALS
But first before we get to the supplements with scientific data for ALS and links to direct shopping for the supplements, I found this sweet video of a guy named Bernardo who has ALS. He says he's curing ALS, but really he's managing it with exercise, physical therapy, several supplements, and some dietary changes. If Bernardo were to stop his management, then he would get worse, so management is key to longer life.
Candida, which is caused by yeasts in the body that feeds on sugars, is a major factor that worsens diseases, which affects me too; it makes my arthritis worse. I can't have a bunch of sugar. I haven't drank pop in years. It's hard not to eat cakes and brownies, but you gotta keep trying to resist added sugary foods.
Does medicare pay for physical therapy? If not then maybe do your own. Bernardo uses thera bands which I use too. Research physical therapy and low impact exercise and thera band exercise vids on youtube for ALS. Recumbent stationary bikes with a cushioned seat that's comfortable would be good low impact exercise. They range in price, but it would be worth it for you guys. Dancing is always good too, when you're well enough, which Bernardo does and even me when I'm feeling well enough too!
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/products/recumbent-bikes.jsp
Does Medicare help pay for medical supplies? This store in Portland accepts insurance to help pay for medical supplies, like bath seats, toilet risers, puddy to work the hands, small under desk bike pedals, wheel chairs, things like that. I plan on getting some items here with my insurance, especially the toilet riser, hand puddy, and under desk bike pedal till I can afford a stationary recumbent bike. I already have a bath seat.
https://healthcaremedsupply.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=1
Cooper, if you like V-8 vegetable juice, then that would be a very healthy drink when taking supplements. Fruit juices that are 100% fruit juice with no added sugars should be okay too. You guys have a mysterious juicer, so try that too. Milk and plain yogurts have sugars in them, but it's natural sugar, so if you like that then it might be okay. Yogurts with added sugars are okay if eating one per week. If you like bread then eat breads that don't have any sugars or very very low sugars. Added sugars are a no no, like what you find in junk food, pop, ice cream, sweets, confections. It's hard not to bow down to the sugar God, so it may take time and trying. I struggle with it myself.
Sorry for rambling, here's Bernardo's video. And remember to go further down the page for the supplements for ALS management.
Some of the supplements I've listed may be expensive, so start somewhere with what you can afford. Keep this blog page link in a folder or saved somewhere on your computer so that you can read it again in future when you can afford more on the list at a later time or to reorder more supplements.
****************************************************************************
I M P O R T A N T R E A D
MILK THISTLE & VITAMIN C BIOFLAVANOID COMPLEX
Milk Thistle is very important for ALS to help the liver detox manganese, which can accumulate in the spine of ALS patients. Manganese is important for health and is in the foods we eat and in our multi vitamins, but too much can be bad for ALS, so take Milk Thistle and Vitamin C Bioflavanoid Complex.
Data on how Silymarin (Milk Thistle) helps eliminate manganese in ALS patients.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0960327112455674?journalCode=hetb
PUB MED Manganese overload in ALS patients spinal cords
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6644329
More data on Manganese affecting ALS
These two detoxers Milk Thistle and C-Complex Bioflavanoid are at the bottom of the page under the omega oils
***********************************************
CBD that help manage ALS
Will not cause a “high” as it is
non-psychoactive. You may want to consider an all natural, organic CBD oil as a
dietary/complimentary supplement for ALS.
PUBMED's Cannabis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis scientific RESEARCH STUDY:
I would buy this CBD oil that I found that is specifically for ALS. This dropper bottle has 1500 milligram with dosage of 3-5 drops under the tongue in the morning and 3 -5 drops under the tongue at night. Since money is tight you might want to only take one dose per day rather than two doses per day.
*************************************************
Probiotics that help manage ALS
Scientific study on probiotics to help manage ALS
Probiotic Packets...
Since you guys are tight on money, take 1/8 tsp from the packet per day with a 1/8 tsp measuring spoon, then keep the packet in the fridge. Probiotics can be disruptive on the tummy when you first start taking it, so take a little bit at first to get used to it.
(Affordable) KEEP Probiotics REFRIGERATED
IF THIS IS TOO MUCH FOR THE TUMMY, AND IF DIARRHEA IS EVER A PROBLEM, CHAMOMILE TEA IS EXCELLENT FOR INTESTINAL HEALTH
Since you guys are tight on money, take 1/8 tsp from the packet per day with a 1/8 tsp measuring spoon, then keep the packet in the fridge. Probiotics can be disruptive on the tummy when you first start taking it, so take a little bit at first to get used to it.
(Affordable) KEEP Probiotics REFRIGERATED
IF THIS IS TOO MUCH FOR THE TUMMY, AND IF DIARRHEA IS EVER A PROBLEM, CHAMOMILE TEA IS EXCELLENT FOR INTESTINAL HEALTH
******************************************************
Tip on taking several pills per day without having to swallow each pill at a time with tons of liquid. Put all of your pills in a glass or cup the night before with your favorite healthy drink, with only enough liquid to just cover those pills enough to dissolve them, (don't use water, water will not hide the taste of the pills). I use V-8 for my supplements, but you can use milk, or Kambucha tea, or juice. The next day after, the pills will be dissolved. Stir them in the cup or glass with a utensil adding more of your favorite liquid, and keep stirring until it looks or tastes easy enough to swallow.
Vitamins, Minerals, Natural Chems That Help Manage ALS
1.) Vitamin B12
(methylcobalamin) or Super B Complex... take in the morning, not at night, gives lots of energy. Whereas ultra-high (25mg daily for 4
weeks) intramuscular doses of methylcobalamin (a form of vitamin B12) have been
shown to slow muscle wasting (Izumi 2007), low levels of vitamin B12 have been
associated with nerve damage in many different animal models. One of the main
problems associated with low levels of vitamin B12 is elevated levels of
methylmalonic acid (MMA) which is toxic to neurons (Ganji 2012). Low levels of
vitamin B12 are also associated with poorly functioning peripheral nerves,
which can be exacerbated by ALS (Leishear 2011). Vitamin B12 can also prevent
damage to the opthalmic nerves by reducing MMA and homocysteine levels, both
being associated with oxidative damage (Pott 2012). Low levels of vitamin B12
have also been associated with neuronal degeneration in other models (Moore
2012).
The link below has a Multi-vitamin that will work great for you Cooper. It has a ton of your needed B12 vitamin, multi-vits, and 5 of the managers listed below are included in this Multi-vitamin, which are... zinc, CoQ10, alpha lipoic, green tea extract, and resveratrol, so I would definately buy this and have a ton of great vits and ALS managers all in one. Be sure to go down to number 7-14 to read the rest of the supplements that you can try.
(Affordable)
(Affordable)
2.) Zinc (included in NOW multi-vitamin). Mutations to the copper/zinc superoxide dismutase
gene are responsible for 2-3% of ALS cases. These mutations result in the SOD
enzyme having a reduced affinity for zinc (Ermilova 2005). In fact, the loss of
zinc from SOD1 results in the remaining copper in SOD1 becoming extremely toxic
to motor neurons (Trumbull 2009). Altering zinc levels within the brain is
being studied as a method for treating many different nervous system diseases,
including ALS (Grabrucker 2011). However, a study conducted at the Linus
Pauling Institute found that large doses of zinc inhibit copper absorption,
which can lead to anemia. In the study, researchers added a small dose of
copper to animal ALS models receiving zinc and found that the copper prevented
early death associated with high doses of zinc (Ermilova 2005). In summary,
adding a small amount of copper to the subject’s diets prevented this lethal
anemia, suggesting that moderate amounts of zinc supplementation combined with
small amounts of copper might help prevent neuron death in ALS.
3.) Coenzyme Q10
(CoQ10) (included in NOW multi-vitamin) acts as an antioxidant
and is essential for proper mitochondrial function (Mancuso 2010). Human
studies have found that ALS patients have a higher percentage of oxidized CoQ10
(ubiquinone), a condition the researchers blamed on oxidative stress caused by
the disease (Sohmiya 2005). Supplementation with ubiquinol, the reduced
(non-oxidized) form of CoQ10 may ameliorate this problem, though no studies
have tested this hypothesis. Several animal studies, including the following
have supported the benefit of CoQ10 treatment in ALS:
In an animal model of
familial ALS, administration of coenzyme Q10 significantly extended life span
and oral administration significantly increased CoQ10 concentrations in the
brains and mitochondria of the test animals (Matthews 1998).
As a result of these
promising studies in mice, researchers have been testing the benefits of CoQ10
on humans with ALS. One phase II study did not find any substantial benefit of
CoQ10 supplementation in patients with ALS (Kauffman 2009). However, more
research still needs to be done as CoQ10 plays an important role in
mitochondrial function and controlling oxidative stress - two key components of
ALS. In addition, it has been noted that high doses of CoQ10 are generally safe
(Ferrante 2005).
4.)
Lipoic acid. (included in NOW multi-vitamin) Lipoic acid has been shown to have antioxidant
properties as well as increase intracellular levels of glutathione (Suh 2004a;
Yamada 2011). It also chelates metals both in the test tube and in animal
models (Suh 2004b and 2005). As a result, lipoic acid supplementation might
protect neurons from some of the changes that lead to ALS (Liu 2008).
Furthermore, lipoic acid has been shown to protect cells against
glutamate-induced excitotoxicity (Muller 1995). In one study, administration of
lipoic acid improved survival in a mouse model of ALS (Andreassen 2001b).
5.) Green tea. (EGCG included in NOW multi-vitamin) (drink caffemated green tea and take green tea
extract powder too.) Green tea contains high concentrations of catechins,
flavonoids with strong antioxidant properties (Hu 2002). Green tea extract has
been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory properties as well (Hong 2000). One
of these catechins known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is of particular
interest in the context of ALS. EGCG and other catechins may be able to protect
neurons from a variety of diseases (Mandel 2008). EGCG has been found to
protect cultures of motor neurons from death due to excessive levels of
glutamate (Yu 2010). Motor neurons can also be protected from mitochondrial
dysfunction with the addition of EGCG in culture (Schroeder 2009). EGCG can
also bind to and inactivate iron, which may help protect motor neurons from the
effects of ALS (Benkler 2010). Epidemiological data further supports the
following role of tea in its potential protection of neurons: green tea
consumption reduces the risk of neurodegenerative diseases (Mandel 2011) and
people who drink tea may have a lower risk of developing ALS (Morozova 2008).
6.) Resveratrol (included in NOW multi-vitamin) is a powerful antioxidant found in red grape skins
and Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum). Resveratrol has been
found to suppress the influx of excitatory ions into some cell types, which is
associated with reduced glutamate-induced cell toxicity (Wu 2003). Another way
resveratrol may target neurodegenerative diseases is by reducing oxidative
stress, both on its own and by increasing the expression of SIRT1 (Sun 2010), a
stress-response gene associated with longevity and protection against a number
of cellular assaults. Although it is not known what role this gene plays in
ALS, increasing SIRT1 expression via resveratrol administration helps protect
motor neurons from ALS in cell culture (Kim 2007; Wang 2011). In addition,
resveratrol can increase the activity of SOD in cells and protect them from
apoptosis and oxidative stress (Yoon 2011). Adding the cerebrospinal fluid from
ALS patients to rat motor neuron cell cultures causes the cultured cells to
die. One of the intriguing aspects of resveratrol is that it can protect the
motor neuron cell cultures from death which is something that riluzole, the
only FDA approved drug for ALS, cannot do (Yanez 2011).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
7.) Protein and
Amino acids. Adequate protein
intake is essential for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Protein
supplementation may help improve the nutritional status of ALS patients,
thereby slowing the progression of the disease. A 2010 study found that
patients with ALS taking whey protein supplements had improved nutritional and
functional parameters as compared to the control group (Carvalho-Silva 2010).
Some preliminary data suggests that whey protein may also directly protect
motor neurons from oxidative stress, thus delaying the progression of ALS (Ross
2011). A Portuguese study suggested that dietary supplementation with amino
acids may have some beneficial effects on the course of the disease (Palma
2005).
(Affordable)
https://www.znaturalfoods.com/pea-protein-organic
(Affordable)
https://www.znaturalfoods.com/pea-protein-organic
8.) Glutathione and
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC).
Glutathione is an antioxidant which is naturally synthesized by the body.
Increasing glutathione levels could help prevent free radical damage to cells
(Exner 2000). The glutathione precursor N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) boosts blood
levels of glutathione (Carmeli 2012). Patients with ALS tend to have higher
levels of oxidized glutathione (glutathione that has already been used to
protect the body from free radicals) (Baillet 2010). Increased levels of
glutathione can also protect neurons from degeneration in models of ALS (Vargas
2008). Interestingly, cell culture models have shown that ALS is associated
with reduced glutathione levels due to mitochondrial dysfunction, and that
reduced glutathione levels can result in elevated levels of glutamate (D’Alessandro
2011). Along with being a glutathione precursor, NAC has antioxidant activity
of its own. In animal models of ALS, NAC administration has been shown to
decrease motor neuron loss, improve muscle mass, and increase survival time and
motor performance (Andreassen 2000; Henderson 1996). In addition, NAC
supplementation can help thin mucous secretions in the oral cavity which may
make swallowing easier (Kuhnlein 2008).
(600 MLG Affordable)
https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/nac-600-mg-veg-capsules
(1000 MLG Expensive)
https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/nac-1000-mg-tablets
(600 MLG Affordable)
https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/nac-600-mg-veg-capsules
(1000 MLG Expensive)
https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/nac-1000-mg-tablets
9.) Creatine. In cells, creatine aids in the formation of
adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary source of cellular energy. In multiple
animal studies, creatine has been shown to provide protection against
neurodegenerative diseases. For example, it has been suggested that creatine
helps to stabilize cellular membranes (Persky 2001). Creatine may also lessen
the burden of the excitotoxin glutamate in the brain, thus improving survival
time in animals with ALS (Andreassen 2001a). In human ALS patients, there is
evidence to suggest that creatine may improve mitochondrial function (Vielhaber
2001). In addition, a small preliminary study found that creatine
supplementation improves muscle strength in ALS patients (Mazzini 2001). More
recent research has confirmed that creatine can protect neurons from toxic
processes such as those that drive the progression of ALS. Creatine, due to its
antioxidant and anti-excitotoxic properties, has been found to have a
significant therapeutic effect in mouse models of ALS (Klopstock 2011; Beal
2011). However, human studies have yielded mixed results (Pastula 2010) which
may be due to insufficient sample size (Klopstock 2011). Creatine can cross the
blood-brain barrier and gain access to the brain, a treatment which lowered
levels of glutamate in the cerebrospinal fluid which may help to protect the
brain (Atassi 2010).
10.) Pycnogenol® is an extract of marine pine bark that includes
procyanidins and phenolic acids (Packer 1999). It has been shown to have
antioxidant properties (Packer 1999) as well as protective effects against
glutamate excitotoxicity (Kobayashi 2000). Pycnogenol® is a common
complementary therapy option among ALS patients (Cameron 2002). In addition,
pycnogenol® increased the levels of SOD produced in an animal study (Kolacek
2010).
11.) Acetyl-L-carnitine has been
shown to improve mitochondrial function (Carta 1993; Virmani 2002; Jin 2008).
Acetyl-L-carnitine appears to increase the growth and repair of neurons (Wilson
2010; Kokkalis 2009) while protecting neurons from high levels of glutamate
when combined with lipoic acid (Babu 2009). Acetyl-L-carnitine also protects
neuron cell cultures from excitotoxicity, one of the putative mechanisms of
disease in ALS (Bigini 2002). Acetyl-L-carnitine has also been found to reduce
neuromuscular degeneration and increase life span in animal models of ALS (Kira
2006). In one animal study, the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine were increased
when administered in conjunction with lipoic acid (Hagen 2002).
(Affordable)
https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/acetyl-l-carnitine-500-mg-veg-capsules
(Affordable)
https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/acetyl-l-carnitine-500-mg-veg-capsules
12.) Ginseng. In an animal model of ALS, ginseng was shown to
significantly delay the onset of ALS symptoms (Jiang 2000). An extract from the
ginseng plant called ginsenoside has also been found to increase the expression
of SOD1 (Kim 1996). Ginseng and its extracts may also be able to protect motor
neurons from apoptosis and membrane damage, further helping to slow the
progression of ALS (Radad 2011).
This supplement has both Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng in it plus some other goodies. It also has Cayenne pepper which has capsacian a natural pain reliever. I take Smoked Chipotle powder for my menstrual period, which works twice as fast without damaging the live as Ibuproifin does, which I can no longer take as of 2015. This supplement is Mens Virility Power, so it's just for the dudes.
(Affordable) GINSENG & Gingko Biloba
https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/mens-virility-power-capsules
13.) Ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo biloba has antioxidant properties (Ernst 2002).
Additionally, it has been shown to promote healthy mitochondrial function
(Fosslien 2001). During an in vitro study, it was found to protect against
glutamate-induced excitotoxicity (Kobayashi 2000). Ginkgo biloba also reduced
weight loss in a mouse model of ALS (Ferrante 2001). Ginkgo biloba extract has
been shown to protect neurons from death due to oxidative stress (Shi 2009).
14.) Super Omega Oils. Omega oils are essential for all people to keep homeocystiene levels down, keep brain health functioning well, reduce inflammation, and for heart health.
(Affordable)
https://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/solaray-super-omega-3-7-9-120-softgels/so-2267
15.) MILK THISTLE.
(Affordable)
https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/silymarin-milk-thistle-extract-pure-powder
16.) VITAMIN C BIOFLAVANOID COMPLEX.
(Affordable)
https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/vitamin-c-complex-powder
Here's a playlist of Dance Songs that I compiled on youtube long time ago. You can do the same with your favorite dance songs too. Shake yer booty's.
14.) Super Omega Oils. Omega oils are essential for all people to keep homeocystiene levels down, keep brain health functioning well, reduce inflammation, and for heart health.
(Affordable)
https://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/solaray-super-omega-3-7-9-120-softgels/so-2267
15.) MILK THISTLE.
(Affordable)
https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/silymarin-milk-thistle-extract-pure-powder
16.) VITAMIN C BIOFLAVANOID COMPLEX.
(Affordable)
https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/vitamin-c-complex-powder
Here's a playlist of Dance Songs that I compiled on youtube long time ago. You can do the same with your favorite dance songs too. Shake yer booty's.
NEVER GIVE UP COMEDY
This guy has muscular dystrophy or something and he's really funny.
This guy has muscular dystrophy or something and he's really funny.
