Bottom Line: Eating foods high in ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from vegetable and marine sources may help reduce the risk for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Spinal Muscular Atrophy - New Approaches
In a recent research work, researchers show how loss or mutation of the Spinal muscular atropy (SMA) causes muscle degeneration and weakness.
In a recent research work, researchers show how loss or mutation of the Spinal muscular atropy (SMA) causes muscle degeneration and weakness.
Background: PUFAs can help modulate inflammation and oxidative stress, mechanisms that have been implicated in the cause of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. But data regarding PUFA intake and ALS risk are sparse.
How the Study Was Conducted: Authors examined the association of ω-3 and ω-6 PUFA consumption and ALS risk in an analysis of more than 1 million people from five different study groups. Diet was assessed through questionnaires. For men, median ω-3 PUFA intake ranged from 1.40 to 1.85 grams(g)/day(d) and median ω-6 PUFA intake ranged from 11.82 to 15.73 g/d. For women, median ω-3 intake ranged from 1.14 to 1.43 g/d and median ω-6 PUFA intake ranged from 8.94 to 12.01 g/d.
Genetics Behind Lou Gehrig's Disease Progression Uncovered
University of Tokyo researchers claim to have gained valuable insights into the genetics of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
University of Tokyo researchers claim to have gained valuable insights into the genetics of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
Discussion: "Overall, the results of our large prospective cohort study suggest that individuals with higher dietary intakes of total ω-3 PUFA and ALA have a reduced risk for ALS. Further research, possibly including biomarkers of PUFA intake, should be pursued to confirm these findings and to determine whether high ω-3 PUFA intake could be beneficial in individuals with ALS."
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Researchers Create Transgenic Mouse That can Synthesize Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids
A transgenic mouse that can synthesize omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids within its tissues while on a carbohydrate diet has been created.
A transgenic mouse that can synthesize omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids within its tissues while on a carbohydrate diet has been created.
Editor's Note: This work was supported by grants from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, the National Cancer Institute and the ALS Therapy Alliance Foundation. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.
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Link Between Fatty Acids and Heart Disease to be Explored More Suggests New Evidence
Current guidelines restricting the consumption of saturated fats and encouraging the consumption of polyunsaturated fats in the prevention of heart disease is questioned by a new study.
Current guidelines restricting the consumption of saturated fats and encouraging the consumption of polyunsaturated fats in the prevention of heart disease is questioned by a new study.
In a related editorial, Michael Swash, M.D., of the Royal London Hospital, England, writes: "How should this study direct our attention?"
"Fitzgerald and colleagues suggest that the fatty acid composition of cell plasma membranes, which could be measured in red cell membranes, might be important in modulating oxidative stress responses, excitotoxicity and inflammation, all factors that have been implicated in ALS and other neurodegenerative conditions," the author continues.
"As a note of caution and in contrast to their results, the authors note that in a mouse model of ALS pretreatment with high doses of eicosapentanoic acid, a long-chain ω-3 PUFA, accelerated disease progression," Swash notes.
(JAMA Neurol. Published online July 14, 2014. doi:10.1001/.jamaneurol.2014.1894. Available pre-embargo to the media at http://media.jamanetwork.com.)
Editor's Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.
Source-Eurekalert
