There are ways to Treat ALS/MND – Naturally
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or, as it is better known in South Africa, motor neuron disease (MND)
I think this is a great way to raise awareness for charity but it overlooks some natural treatment options you may have never heard of.
Symptoms of Motor Neuron Disease
Motor neuron disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Over time, this degeneration eventually leads to cell death, which makes it impossible for the brain to initiate and control muscle movement.
When the symptoms of motor neuron disease first begin, they may be so slight they’re hardly noticeable. Muscle weakness in the hands, arms, legs or throat are common first symptoms. As are twitching and cramping of the muscles, especially in the hands and feet.
As the disease progresses, there are more noticeable symptoms such as “thick speech”, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing or swallowing. Despite nerve cell death, cognitive function usually remains intact.
How to Treat ALS (MND) Naturally
- The Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-protein, low-carbohydrate diet designed to put the body in a state of ketosis, meaning it will burn fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates.
This diet has been shown to be effective in protecting nerve cells and preserving their ability to make energy.
According to a laboratory study conducted by BMC Neuroscience, the ketogenic diet appeared to slow loss of baseline motor performance and weight due to muscular atrophy.
When following the ketogenic diet, you eat healthy fats such as avocado, butter, olive oil, coconut oil, and mayonnaise as well as organic meat, poultry, and fish, nuts, and nut butters (all except peanut), eggs, organic vegetables, some fruit, water, coffee, and tea. The only sweetener allowed on the diet is Stevia.
- Dietary Supplements
- Vitamin E
This potent antioxidant fights free radicals and has been shown to lower the likelihood of disease, slow the progression of mild ALS to severe ALS, and lower mortality rates.
- Vitamin B12
According to a double-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted by Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, patients injected with 25 mg of methylcoblamin (an analog of vitamin B12) experienced enhanced neuronal and muscular functioning.
- Vitamin D3
A study published in CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics showed that vitamin D3 treatment was effective in increasing motor function, muscle mass, and muscle protein synthesis in patients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and other autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders that share common pathophysiologies with ALS.
- Lion’s Mane Medicinal Mushrooms
Lion’s mane medicinal mushrooms are considered functional foods, meaning they provide benefit beyond simple nutrition.
Medicinal mushrooms have been shown to support healthy immunity as well as your ability to cope with the physical and emotional stress of chronic illness.
Lion’s mane medicinal mushrooms support nerve growth factor, a protein critical to the growth, maintenance and survival of certain types of neurons.