Eating Omega-3 Fatty Acids Could Reduce Risk of Death From This Disease by 50%

June 26, 2023

Shutterstock

There’s good news in the medical world for people suffering from ALS.

In a recent study published in Neurology, researchers from Harvard University found that people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an incurable progressive neurological disease, who eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids may have a slower physical decline and extended survival rate. The researchers found that study participants with the highest consumption of alpha-linolenic acid (a type of omega-3 fatty acid) reduced their risk of death by 50%.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects the body’s central nervous system, mainly the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As ALS affects the neurons needed for movement, over time a person loses their ability to control their leg, arm, and facial movements. In extreme cases, people with ALS may eventually not be able to speak or eat.

According to the ALS Association, there are two new ALS cases each year within a population of 100,000. Most people who develop ALS are between the ages of 40 and 70, and it is more common in men.

Researchers still do not know exactly what causes ALS, but they believe genetics and environmental risk factors may play a role. There is currently no cure for ALS, and the average life expectancy for someone with ALS is often between 2 to 5 years, with some people living longer.

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in seafood and some plants, have been known to bring a variety of health benefits. Previous studies show that they could help protect against cardiovascular disease, age-related macular degeneration, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune diseases, and Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers also found consumer omega-6 fatty acid was also associated with a lower risk of death among study participants.

According to the study, people with ALS who eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids may have a slower physical decline and an extended survival rate. The study found that omega-6 fatty acid was associated with a lower risk of death among study participants.

The study suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may have a neuroprotective effect that could help slow the progression of ALS. However, the researchers caution that more research is needed to understand the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and ALS.