Exploring dietary approaches in the prevention and management of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A literature review

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and complex neurodegenerative disease of upper and lower motor neurons of the central nervous system. The pathogenesis of this multifaceted disease is unknown. However, diet has emerged as a modifiable risk factor that has neuroprotective effects towards other neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and dementia. Thus, this review aims to explore how diet can potentially influence ALS onset and/or progression. In this review, five popular diets (Mediterranean, Vegan, Carnivore, Paleolithic and Ketogenic) and their distinct macromolecule composition, nutritional profile, biochemical pathways and their potential therapeutic effects for ALS are thoroughly examined. However, the composition of these diets varies, and the data is controversial, with conflicting studies on the effectiveness of nutrient intake of several of these diets. Although these five diets show that a higher intake of foods containing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds have a positive correlation towards reducing the oxidative stress of ALS, further research is needed to directly compare the effects of these diets and the mechanisms leading to ALS and its progression.

Keywords: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; carnivore diet; ketogenic diet; mediterranean diet; neurodegenerative disease; paleolithic diet; vegan diet.