If you suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, you are among the 20,000 to 30,000 people in the United States who have the condition, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. ALS results from damage to the neurons in the central nervous system, which is made up of the spinal cord and brain. Medline Plus says that about 10 percent of ALS cases result from a genetic defect, with the rest of the cases' causes unknown. The damage to the neurons in ALS may result from glutamate, also called glutamic acid.
Causes
Glutamic acid has two major roles in your body -- essential amino acid and neurotransmitter. As an amino acid, glutamic acid helps to build protein. As a neurotransmitter, glutamic acid helps to form memories. But too much glutamic acid can cause serious problems. Excessive glutamic acid in the brain becomes toxic, killing off the cells in your brain, says Shippensburg University. With ALS, the excess glutamic acid destroys neurons that control movement.
Effects
When the excessive glutamic acid affects your motor neurons, it results in disrupted neural communication, affecting your ability to move. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says that in ALS, the upper motor neurons, which are in your brain, and the lower motor neurons, which are in the spinal cord, become damaged and they can no longer send messages to your muscles. As a result, you can have muscle weakness, muscle cramps and paralysis. The disrupted signals from excessive glutamic acid can also affect your breathing and swallowing.
Treatment
While no cure exists for ALS, the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug riluzole to treat the condition. Riluzole works by decreasing the levels of glutamic acid in your body, which can help slow down the progression of ALS, according to Drugs.com. The medication can cause some side effects, such as impaired thinking, flu-like symptoms and shortness of breath. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says that while riluzole can help reduce current neuron damage from excessive glutamic acid, it cannot reverse existing damage.
Diet
Since glutamic acid occurs naturally in several types of food, you may need to consult a nutritionist about what foods you should avoid or if you need to limit your consumption of these foods. Animal-based products that are high in protein also supply glutamic acid. These include poultry and fish as well as milk and eggs. The University of Michigan Health System warns that if you have ALS, you should consult your doctor before taking glutamic acid supplements.
References
- Medline Plus: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Fact Sheet
- Shippensburg University: Neurotransmitters
- Drugs.com: Riluzole
- University of Michigan Health System: Glutamic Acid
- Yale School of Medicine: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
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