Excitotoxicity

Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity is common in the pathogenesis of many neurological diseases including ALS, and as such Riluzole, an anti-glutamatergic agent is the only approved therapy for ALS. An exciting new study has demonstrated that PEMF therapy protects against excitotoxicity by acting as an endocannabinoid modulator. Another recent study found that PEMF therapy enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, which offers neuroprotection against excitotoxicity in many brain diseases such as ALS. Many studies show that PEMF therapy can heal damaged neurons resulting in improved memory, alertness, and cognition.

Depression

A key benefit of PEMF for ALS patients is its role in treating depression. Neuropsychiatric conditions are overrepresented in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and major depressive disorder is considered to be an early marker of cerebral neurodegeneration. An ALS diagnosis is almost always preceded by a depressive episode. PEMF is FDA-approved for treatment resistant depression and was shown in clinical trials to be superior in safety and effectiveness compared to the standard of care (SSRIs). In the US, unfortunately the FDA approved PEMF device for depression (called TMS) is only available to psychiatry patients who have failed four prior drug treatment regimens but patients can benefit from in-home devices, private PEMF practitioners, and by avoiding EMF exposure.

Electro-Magnetic Energy Dysregulation

The magnetic field of the earth has declined to 0.5 gauss from 20 gauss so over time as more and more magnetic field strength is lost our body is like a drained cell phone looking for a charge. EMF interference from wireless technology also interrupts the body’s electromagnetic frequency, disrupting cellular function and virtually every process in the body. PEMF therapy greatly benefits the brain because blood cells infused with magnetic energy flow more efficiently which is essential to improving micro circulation in the small vessels in the head.

EMF avoidance is a key component of the ALS protocol of Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, who treats his ALS patients using comprehensive detoxification. Klinghardt claims that not only do EMFs directly damage biological processes and break DNA strands, but the accumulation of heavy metals in the body also means the brain acts like an antenna for EMFs, compounding their damaging effect. Klinghardt lists EMFs as one of the four main causal factors in brain diseases such as ALS and his ALS treatment protocol includes both EMF detoxification and aluminum detoxification.

Detoxification

Since PEMF therapy improves blood flow and cellular detoxification, it addresses the toxicity related causes of ALS, mainly from environmental pollutants and heavy metals. Environmental pollutants measured in blood were shown to be significantly associated with ALS in one July 2016 study and aluminum toxicity has indeed been presented in research studies to be a contributing factor in the neurodegenerative process in ALS. Klinghardt’s aluminum detoxification protocol primarily uses microsilica powder, silica supplements, horsetail and water additives such as diatomaceous earth. Klinghardt also recommends chlorella and zeolite to bind to toxins once they are pulled into the gut. Other doctors use prescription drugs such as Cholestyramine and Welchol as toxin binding agents.

Dietary changes can substantially enhance detoxification processes in the body. Raw organic radish, alfalfa, cucumber, romaine lettuce, watercress, tomatoes, and wheatgrass are all high silica containing foods which help bind to aluminum in the gut. A recent Sept 2018 study found aluminum-induced neurodegeneration in ALS was improved by gallic acid, found in tea, red fruits, black radish, and onions, and the herbal medicine wedelolactone, which also has anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties. Both substances were shown to increase antioxidant status, increase BDNF, lower inflammatory cytokines, and prevent glutamate excitotoxicity.

Sulfur containing foods are particularly detoxifying as sulfur has been shown to bind to heavy metals and boost glutathione production which is the body’s master detoxification agent produced in the liver. Other ways to increase glutathione production include eating high cysteine foods (egg yolks, poultry, yogurt, red peppers, oatmeal), tart cherry juice, whey protein, melatonin, vitamin C, alpha lipoic acid, glycine supplements and avoiding alcohol, nicotine, chemicals and solvents. Klinghardt recommends taking a liposomal form of melatonin for more optimal brain detoxification since the brain is comprised mostly of lipids (fatty tissue). A high fat ketogenic diet with intermittent fasting has been shown to possibly reduce the risk of ALS and the rate of disease progression.

By Jessica Cerka

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10709970

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27159543

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27761925

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25867286

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3245363/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4438106/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5292622/#B1

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24937769

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30075221

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29981346