In a study of 449 people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), those who had the highest blood concentrations of the omega-3 fatty acids ALA and EPA had the slowest declines over an 18-month period. The findings of the study were published in Neurology.
 
ALS is a rare, progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. People with ALS lose the ability to initiate and control muscle movement, which often leads to total paralysis and death. The average life span after diagnosis is two to five years.
 
“The link our study found between diet and ALS is intriguing and suggests, but does not prove, that people with ALS may benefit from incorporating more omega-3 fatty acids into their diet,” said Kjetil Bjornevik, MD, PhD, of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, and member of the American Academy of Neurology. “It will now be important to conduct additional research looking specifically at the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid in people with ALS to further explore this possibility.”
 
Over the course of the 18-month period, 126 participants (28%) died by the end of the study.
 
Researchers divided the participants into quintiles based on the lowest and highest of omega-3 blood concentrations. The participants also took a test to assess their disease progression and severity of symptoms, which scored them based on physical function. Total scores ranged from zero to 48 with higher scores indicating better function and less severe symptoms.
 
ALA appeared to be the most beneficial, based on this population. This omega-3 is found in seeds and oils including flaxseed, walnuts, chia, hemp, and common vegetable oils. Those with the highest ALA concentrations had an average score of 38.3 at the start of the study, while people with the lowest amount had an average score of 37.6.
 
A lower number of people from the quartile with the highest ALA died during the study, with 21 deaths (19%) compared to the people in the lowest group who had 37 deaths (33%). In simpler terms, those who had the highest ALA concentrations had a 50% lower risk of death compared to people with the lowest amount.
 
Higher levels of EPA, which is found in fatty fish and fish oil supplements, and omega-6 fatty acids, found in vegetable oils, nuts, meats, seeds, and eggs, were also associated with a lower risk of death during the study.
 
The authors noted that one limitation of the study was lack of access to data on the overall diet of participants including other nutrients and supplements, as well as total caloric intake, which could also be associated with survival time in ALS.
 
The study was supported by the ALS Association.