Terminology Diet for ALS Lou Gehrig's Disease - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

ALS Diet Pages

• Introduction-Homeostasis
• Eric is Winning
• Cell Death
• Dietary Guidelines
• Eliminate Excitotoxins
• The Relationships of Glutamine, Glutamate, and Glutathione
• MSG Sources
• Remove From Environment and Body All Toxins
• Heavy Metal Sources
• Other Toxins To Be Aware Of And Avoid
• 100% Certified Organic, Mostly Vegetables, Whole Foods Diet
• Twelve Riskiest and Twelve Best Non-Organic Foods
• Why Mostly Vegetable and Whole Foods?
• For Now Avoid Excessive Precursors to Nitric Oxide
• What About Dairy?
• What About Meat?
• Low Arginine Foods
• Supplements
• Terminology

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) A serious, progressive, neurologic disease in which loss of nerve cells produces muscle paralysis anterior horn cell A motor neuron in the anterior horn gray matter of the spinal cord; directly Antiglutamatergic Selective action (usually via a drug) against glutamate activity Astrocyte One of the large neuroglia cells of nervous tissue. Also called astroglia, Deiters' cell, macroglia.

Astroglia tissue consisting of large stellate (star-shaped) neuroglial cells

DNA The material inside the nucleus of cells that carries genetic information. The scientific name for DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid.

EAAT human excitatory amino acid transporter

Excitotoxin Class of substances that damage neurons through paroxysmal activity [Paroxysmal - recurring "sudden attacks" of symptoms]

Excitoxicity receptor-mediated calcium influx (excitotoxicity)

Ethylmercury (sometimes ethyl mercury) is a cation that forms organomercury compounds such as ethylmercury chloride and ethylmercury urea. Ethylmercury is a highly toxic and bioaccumulative organic compound. It is composed of an ethyl group and a mercury atom; its chemical formula is C2H5Hg+.

GGT Blood levels of Gammaglutamyltransferase. The enzyme has been found to be a relatively sensitive index of liver damage in clinical studies of alcoholics and heavy drinkers

Glutamate An amino acid neurotransmitter normally involved in learning and memory. Under certain circumstances it can be an excitotoxin and appears to cause nerve cell death in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders

Homeostasis The ability or tendency of an organism or cell to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes

L-Arginine This amino acid functions as a precursor to the formation of nitric oxide

Macroglia That portion of the neuroglia composed of astrocytes

Methylmercury A human-made molecule, synthesized for commercial purposes (to kill mold), and a naturally occurring compound made by certain bacteria. Methylmercury penetrates the brain and is a potent neurotoxin. Methylmercury also crosses the placenta, and, as a result, a large number of women who were exposed during pregnancy in past methylmercury epidemics gave birth to severely brain-damaged children

Microglia Any of the small neuroglial cells of the central nervous system having long processes and amoeboid and phagocytic activity at sites of neural damage or inflammation.

Mitochondria The mitochondria are the principal energy source of the cell. Mitochondria convert nutrients into energy as well as doing many other specialized tasks.

Neurotransmitter Specialized chemical messenger (eg, acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin) that sends a message from one nerve cell to another. Most neurotransmitters play different roles throughout the body, many of which are not yet known

Nitric Oxide Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radial playing a multifaceted role in the brain and its excessive production is known to induce neurotoxicity.

Nitric Oxide Synthase Nitric oxide synthase enzymes produce nitric oxide (NO) by catalysing a five­ electron oxidation of a guanidino nitrogen of L­-arginine. Oxidation of L­-Arginine to L­-citrulline occurs via two successive monooxygenation reactions producing N­hydroxy­L­arginine as an intermediate. 2 mol of O2 and 1.5 mol of NADPH are consumed per mole of NO formed.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes slowed movements, tremor, rigidity, and a wide variety of other symptoms. Neurodegenerative refers to the degeneration, or death, of neurons, the type of cell in the brain that is the basis for all brain activity.

Pesticides any chemical or biological agent that kills plant or animal pests; herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, etc. are all pesticides

Phagocytic Activity Phagocytic cells are cells that ingests microorganisms and foreign particles

SOD1 (Superoxide Dismutase 1) An enzyme that destroys superoxide. One form of the enzyme contains manganese and another contains zinc. Superoxide is a highly reactive form of oxygen. For ALS, 20% of the total population of patients have mutations in the gene for copper/zinc superoxide dismutase type SOD1. SOD1 normally breaks down free radicals, but mutant SOD1 is unable to perform this function.

Toxins a chemical compound from one organism that is harmful to another organism

ALS Diet Pages

• Introduction-Homeostasis
• Eric is Winning
• Cell Death
• Dietary Guidelines
• Eliminate Excitotoxins
• The Relationships of Glutamine, Glutamate, and Glutathione
• MSG Sources
• Remove From Environment and Body All Toxins
• Heavy Metal Sources
• Other Toxins To Be Aware Of And Avoid
• 100% Certified Organic, Mostly Vegetables, Whole Foods Diet
• Twelve Riskiest and Twelve Best Non-Organic Foods
• Why Mostly Vegetable and Whole Foods?
• For Now Avoid Excessive Precursors to Nitric Oxide
• What About Dairy?
• What About Meat?
• Low Arginine Foods
• Supplements
• Terminology

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Please click the PDF icon to the left to read or download the entire 36 page Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Diet by Dr. David Steenblock