Nutrition plays a crucial role in supporting individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Since ALS affects the nerve cells responsible for muscle movement, it can lead to difficulties with swallowing, chewing, and maintaining muscle mass, making proper nutrition essential.
Here are some ways nutrition can support individuals with ALS:
- Maintain Weight and Muscle Mass: As ALS progresses, maintaining body weight becomes challenging due to muscle wasting and increased energy needs. High-calorie, nutrient-dense foods can help prevent unintentional weight loss.
- Optimize Nutrient Intake: A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports overall health. For ALS patients, ensuring adequate intake of antioxidants like vitamins E and C, and omega-3 fatty acids, may help manage oxidative stress, which is thought to play a role in the progression of ALS.
- Address Swallowing Difficulties: Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is common in ALS. Modifying the texture of foods to make them easier to swallow, and providing hydration through thicker liquids or nutritional supplements, can help manage this issue.
- Prevent Malnutrition: As ALS can make eating difficult, using oral supplements or, in advanced cases, considering enteral feeding (such as a feeding tube) might be necessary to ensure sufficient nutrient intake.
- Manage Gastrointestinal Issues: ALS patients might experience constipation due to reduced mobility and changes in diet. Incorporating high-fiber foods and ensuring adequate fluid intake can help manage digestive health.
- Support Respiratory Function: Proper nutrition can also support respiratory health, as weakened muscles can affect breathing. Ensuring adequate energy intake helps maintain respiratory muscle strength.
- Customized Nutrition Plans: Working with a dietitian to develop a personalized nutrition plan can help address the specific needs and challenges faced by each individual with ALS.
A well-managed diet tailored to the individual’s stage of ALS can improve quality of life, support overall health, and potentially slow the progression of symptoms.
Help me support those with ALS with this "fun"draiser that is an extreme form of the ice bucket challenge: 2024 CEO Soak Syracuse: Kelly Springer - The ALS Association National Office (convio.net)