Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPreventionCausesSlowing the ProgressionLiving With ALSFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Prevention
Causes
Slowing the Progression
Living With ALS
Frequently Asked Questions
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS)is a progressive neurological condition without an exact cause. However, genetics and environmental factors—such as viruses, exposure to toxins, and physical trauma—are believed to play a role in the disease’s development. While ALS cannot be prevented, some treatments can slow the progression of the disease.
This article discusses whether ALS is preventable, its risk factors, current treatment options, and how to live well with the disease.
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ALS Support Groups for Patients and Caregivers
Can You Prevent ALS?
ALS cannot be prevented.However, researchers have found thatcarotenoids(a pigment found in plants) might play a role in helping to prevent neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS, or delay the onset ofsymptoms.
Carotenoids
Carotenoids are orange, red, green, and yellow pigments in fruits and vegetables. High concentrations of carotenoids can be found in green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, kale, spinach, and coriander.
ALS involves inflammation and destruction of the nerves that tell muscles to contract. Research has shown that carotenoids can help prevent neuroinflammation.
New ResearchMore research is needed to determine whether carotenoids can help prevent ALS or delay the onset of ALS symptoms. However, researchers continue to look at the beneficial effects of carotenoids on other neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, a form of progressive dementia.
New Research
More research is needed to determine whether carotenoids can help prevent ALS or delay the onset of ALS symptoms. However, researchers continue to look at the beneficial effects of carotenoids on other neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, a form of progressive dementia.
Causes of ALS
Unfortunately, no one knows for sure whatcauses ALS. However, genetic and environmental factors contribute to the increased risk of developing the disease.
Environmental factors might also increase the risk of ALS, although more research is needed in this area. These factors include:
Who Gets ALS?ALS affects both men and women alike and people of all races and ethnic groups, but it is more often diagnosed in non-Hispanic and White individuals. Symptoms typically begin to show between 55 to 75 years of age.
Who Gets ALS?
ALS affects both men and women alike and people of all races and ethnic groups, but it is more often diagnosed in non-Hispanic and White individuals. Symptoms typically begin to show between 55 to 75 years of age.
Slowing the Progression of ALS
ALS Life Expectancy
Rehabilitation
Rehab therapists can help address symptoms resulting from ALS.
Psychotherapy
Receiving anALS diagnosiscan cause significant psychological challenges. Some individuals with this condition also developdepressionor have significantanxietyabout how their life will change. Psychotherapy (talk therapy or mental health counseling) can help improve the overall quality of life for people with ALS.
Summary
There is no way to prevent ALS. However, there are interventions available that can slow the progression of the disease, help an individual maintain independence as long as possible, and reduce pain and discomfort that can occur as the disease progresses.
Treatments for ALS include medications to help slow nerve damage, rehabilitation therapies, and psychotherapy.
No. There is no direct link between diet and the development of ALS. Researchers continue to study diet’s role in reducing risk factors for ALS and slowing functional decline that occurs with this disease.
While there is no cure for ALS, researchers continue to look for one, as well as additional interventions that can slow the progression of the disease.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Fitzgerald KC, O’Reilly ÉJ, Fondell E, et al.Intakes of vitamin C and carotenoids and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: pooled results from 5 cohort studies.Ann Neurol. 2013;73(2):236-245. doi:10.1002/ana.23820Cho KS, Shin M, Kim S, et al.Recent advances in studies on the therapeutic potential of dietary carotenoids in neurodegenerative diseases.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018;2018:4120458. doi:10.1155/2018/4120458National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidant supplements: what you need to know.Lakey-Beitia J, Kumar D. J, Hegde ML, et al.Carotenoids as novel therapeutic molecules against neurodegenerative disorders: chemistry and molecular docking analysis.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(22):5553. doi:10.3390/ijms20225553Yuan C, Chen H, Wang Y, et al.Dietary carotenoids related to risk of incident Alzheimer dementia (AD) and brain AD neuropathology: a community-based cohort of older adults.Am J Clin Nutr. 2020;113(1):200-208. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqaa303National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).ALS Association.Medications for treating ALS.ALS Association.Therapies and care.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Fitzgerald KC, O’Reilly ÉJ, Fondell E, et al.Intakes of vitamin C and carotenoids and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: pooled results from 5 cohort studies.Ann Neurol. 2013;73(2):236-245. doi:10.1002/ana.23820Cho KS, Shin M, Kim S, et al.Recent advances in studies on the therapeutic potential of dietary carotenoids in neurodegenerative diseases.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018;2018:4120458. doi:10.1155/2018/4120458National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidant supplements: what you need to know.Lakey-Beitia J, Kumar D. J, Hegde ML, et al.Carotenoids as novel therapeutic molecules against neurodegenerative disorders: chemistry and molecular docking analysis.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(22):5553. doi:10.3390/ijms20225553Yuan C, Chen H, Wang Y, et al.Dietary carotenoids related to risk of incident Alzheimer dementia (AD) and brain AD neuropathology: a community-based cohort of older adults.Am J Clin Nutr. 2020;113(1):200-208. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqaa303National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).ALS Association.Medications for treating ALS.ALS Association.Therapies and care.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Fitzgerald KC, O’Reilly ÉJ, Fondell E, et al.Intakes of vitamin C and carotenoids and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: pooled results from 5 cohort studies.Ann Neurol. 2013;73(2):236-245. doi:10.1002/ana.23820Cho KS, Shin M, Kim S, et al.Recent advances in studies on the therapeutic potential of dietary carotenoids in neurodegenerative diseases.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018;2018:4120458. doi:10.1155/2018/4120458National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidant supplements: what you need to know.Lakey-Beitia J, Kumar D. J, Hegde ML, et al.Carotenoids as novel therapeutic molecules against neurodegenerative disorders: chemistry and molecular docking analysis.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(22):5553. doi:10.3390/ijms20225553Yuan C, Chen H, Wang Y, et al.Dietary carotenoids related to risk of incident Alzheimer dementia (AD) and brain AD neuropathology: a community-based cohort of older adults.Am J Clin Nutr. 2020;113(1):200-208. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqaa303National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).ALS Association.Medications for treating ALS.ALS Association.Therapies and care.
Cleveland Clinic.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Fitzgerald KC, O’Reilly ÉJ, Fondell E, et al.Intakes of vitamin C and carotenoids and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: pooled results from 5 cohort studies.Ann Neurol. 2013;73(2):236-245. doi:10.1002/ana.23820
Cho KS, Shin M, Kim S, et al.Recent advances in studies on the therapeutic potential of dietary carotenoids in neurodegenerative diseases.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018;2018:4120458. doi:10.1155/2018/4120458
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidant supplements: what you need to know.
Lakey-Beitia J, Kumar D. J, Hegde ML, et al.Carotenoids as novel therapeutic molecules against neurodegenerative disorders: chemistry and molecular docking analysis.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(22):5553. doi:10.3390/ijms20225553
Yuan C, Chen H, Wang Y, et al.Dietary carotenoids related to risk of incident Alzheimer dementia (AD) and brain AD neuropathology: a community-based cohort of older adults.Am J Clin Nutr. 2020;113(1):200-208. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqaa303
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
ALS Association.Medications for treating ALS.
ALS Association.Therapies and care.
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