Supplementing diet with amino acid successfully staves off signs of ALS in pre-clinical study (L-Serine)

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/ScienceDaily ^ | February 24, 2020 | Deborah C Mash, Walter G Bradley, Amy Beierschmitt, Roberta M Palmour, James S Metcalf, Others

[ConservativeMind]

The addition of dietary L-serine, a naturally occurring amino acid necessary for formation of proteins and nerve cells, delayed signs of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in an animal study.

"The big message is that dietary exposure to this cyanobacterial toxin triggers ALS-type pathology, and if you include L-serine in the diet, it could slow the progression of these pathological changes," Dr. Davis said.

Walter G. Bradley D.M., F.R.C.P., founder of the ALS Clinical and Research Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said: "ALS is a progressive neurological disease, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, causing progressive limb paralysis and respiratory failure. There is a great unmet need for effective therapies in this disease. After clinical trials of more than 30 potential drugs to treat ALS, we still have only two that slow the disease progression."

ALS can rapidly progress in some people, leading to death in 6 months to 2 years after diagnosis. For this reason, it is difficult to enroll people in clinical trials, a reality that supports development of a corresponding animal model, Dr. Davis said.

In addition, prevention remains essential. "This is a pre-clinical model, which is really the most important type of model, because once people have full-blown disease, it's hard to reverse or slow its progression," he added.

The research builds on earlier findings from Dr. Davis and colleagues in a 2016 study that demonstrated cyanotoxin BMAA can cause changes in the brain that resemble Alzheimer's disease in humans, including neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid deposits.

[ConservativeMind]

Another very recent study using L-Serine shows benefit.

You can pick this up at health food stores.

[jcon40]

Thx for article. Lost a good friend to ALS a few years back, my general practitioner... now another friend has it.

Looks like this research is not intended for those already down the road with ALS. Still good to see some progress.

[ConservativeMind]

Traditional Food Items in Ogimi, Okinawa: l-Serine Content and the Potential for Neuroprotection:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5343079/#!po=1.08696

[calenel]

L-Serine is abundant in whey protein which you can pick up at Walmart in a variety of flavors. Like $15 for a month’s supply.

I use it to make protein shakes for days I work out. Fits into a low carb or Keto diet quite well.

[tired&retired]

Thanks for sharing this.

Here is a link to a table in the journal article

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4471283/table/tbl2/?report=objectonly

[tired&retired]

Direct link to the journal article

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4471283/#!po=0.684932

[Bob434]

Wow- but be careful folk- while studies like this make folks wanna run right out and buy the over the counter supplements, we don’t know what else these supplements might do to a person who has issues like autoimmune diseases- sometimes these things can stimulate the immune system, which would be bad for folks with autoimmune problems because it will cause the body to go wonky and to attack itself even more-

This is why responsible sites will always add “Do not take unless yo discuss it with your doctor if you have medical issues’ or some such warning-

[Bob434]

we just lost a good friend to als a month ago- such a horrible horrible disease-

Hopefully someday they can lick the problem totally-

[Bob434]

“it could slow the progression of these pathological changes,”

Not very informative I’m afraid- slow it how much? The article doesn’t say=- delay the inevitable for a month? 6 months? year? More? Wish the article had a little more info-

[PA Engineer]

Thanks for the post.

Complete publication: L-Serine Reduces Spinal Cord Pathology in a Vervet Model of Preclinical ALS/MND.

[PA Engineer]

I found the study interesting, however mouse models poorly recapitulate the human brain. I think it is just another puzzle piece towards prevention and treatment.

[Bob434]

oh i did too- and coudl be exciting news- at least a step i nthe right direction- no doubt- just wish the study had been a little m ore specific-

[caww]

Sadly I have an older sister suffering from this now. It's a dastardly brain illness to say the least and I sincerely hate it as it slowly takes the once meaningful life from her. She has a diet protocol and supplementation her husband faithfully is sure she takes. Their life is very structured and routine now.

[preacher]

l8r

[Dacula]

l8r +2