Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Dear Dr. Dean,I’m a corporate wellness coach for a large oil company. We have an employee who has a wife with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS — Lou Gehrig’s disease). She will probably only live about one to two more years at her progression rate. They are looking for something to assist her with her hypertonic muscle stiffness and low morning energy. I have recommended some liquid nutrition we used in endurance racing, as she cannot normally chew regular food anymore with her fading gag reflex. They are not asking for a cure or magic bullet-but are wondering if there was anything that might help her be just a little bit more comfortable. Does such a supplement exist or do you have any suggestions? I hope you are well!In health,Mr. J.

Dear Mr. J.,The single nutrient that has been documented to help ALS is L-Carnitine. Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALC) may be even better. ALS may be mitochondrial-related. Consequently, I think Mito-Boost® I and II may be helpful. I’d probably add a little extra L-Carnitine or ALC.In addition, I’d consider Phosphatidylcholine and Phosphatidylserine. Sublingual Vitamin B12 (or weekly B12 injections, if her physician will prescribe them) may help with her energy.Finally, if her physician will co-operate (and this is a big “if”) I’d try low-dose GHB (Xyrem®) by prescription-maybe 250-500 mg or so every 3-4 hours. Low-dose GHB is a great mood-enhancer, muscle relaxant and energizer, all at the same time. Higher doses, of course, result in euphoria and natural sleep. GHB works beautifully for many conditions, and may even help ALS.Obviously, a lot of the above is “educated guess work”-but none of the recommendations will hurt. The hardest part will be getting someone with ALS to take that much stuff. Mito-Boost I, being a drink mix, may be the easiest, most effective, and best starter. Sublingual B12 or shots, next. Xyrem does not taste great (very salty), but is also a liquid, so it should not be a problem.Let me know how she does.Ward Dean, M.D.