THE ESSENTIAL
- People with higher levels of metals in their blood and urine may be more likely to be diagnosed with and die from ALS, a new study suggests.
- Overexposure to individual metals, such as copper, selenium, and zinc, is associated with an approximately threefold increased risk of ALS and earlier death.
- Not surprisingly, participants with occupations with greater exposure to metals, such as some laborers, had increased levels of metal mixtures in their blood and urine.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the neurons responsible for muscle control, leading to muscle atrophy and progressive paralysis leading to death, usually within two to five years. “ALS is known to be influenced by genetic and environmental factors, including exposure to pesticides and metals.”
This is confirmed by a new study published in the journal Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry : People with higher levels of metals in their blood and urine may be more likely to be diagnosed with and die from ALS.
Metals in blood and urine linked to three times greater risk of ALS
To reach this conclusion, researchers from the University of Michigan in the United States examined the levels of metals in the blood plasma and urine of more than 450 people with ALS and nearly 300 healthy people. They found that high levels of individual metals, such as copper, selenium and zinc, “were significantly associated with a higher risk of ALS and earlier death”we can read in a communiqué.
The team of scientists then used these results to create “Environmental SLA risk scores”These studies showed that mixtures of metals in blood plasma and urine are linked to an approximately three-fold increased risk of disease, regardless of the volunteers’ underlying genetic variants.
Some professions more exposed to metals and the risk of ALS
Not surprisingly, study participants who worked in occupations with high exposure to metals, such as some laborers, had increased levels of metal mixtures in their blood and urine. “This echoes our previous work that found that people with ALS have higher occupational exposure to metals prior to diagnosis.”the researchers specify.
“Strengthening our understanding of the importance of metal exposure as a risk factor for ALS is essential for future targeted prevention of the disease and improved therapeutic strategies.”concludes Stephen Goutman, lead author of the study.
