Fruits and Vegetables Improve ALS-Related Muscle Function

Fruits and vegetables may improve muscle and nerve function in patients with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), according to a study published in JAMA Neurology. Researchers followed nutrient intake for 302 participants from the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Multicenter Cohort Study of Oxidative Stress study and assessed muscle and respiratory function. Those participants with the highest intake of antioxidants and carotenes from fruits and vegetables improved their symptoms when compared to those with lower intakes of these key nutrients. Although ALS greatly limits lifespan, researchers recommend dietary interventions to improve quality of life.