Higher intake of antioxidants, carotenes from vegetables tied to better ALS functional rating score
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Antioxidants, carotenes, and fruit and vegetable intake is associated with higher amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) function, according to research published online Oct. 24 in JAMA Neurology.
Jeri W. Nieves, Ph.D., from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University in New York City, and colleagues examined the correlations between nutrients and ALS function and respiratory function at diagnosis. They conducted a cross-sectional baseline analysis of the ALS Multicenter Cohort Study of Oxidative Stress at 16 U.S. ALS clinics among 302 patients with ALS symptom duration of 18 months or less.
The researchers found that higher intakes of antioxidants and carotenes from vegetables correlated with higher ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) scores or percentage predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) in regression analysis of nutrients. There were positive associations for empirically weighted indices using the weighted quantile sum regression method of “good” micronutrients and “good” food groups with ALSFRS-R scores and percentage FVC (all P < 0.001). In exploratory analyses, positive and significant associations were seen for selected vitamins with ALSFRS-R scores and percentage FVC.
“Those responsible for nutritional care of the patient with ALS should consider promoting fruit and vegetable intake since they are high in antioxidants and carotenes,” the author write.
Several authors disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.
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