Protandim
Information on nutritional supplements people with ALS have been taking
Protandim is a combination product of Silybum marianum (milk thistle), Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Camellia sinensis (green tea), Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Bacopa monniera.
It can activate an intracellular molecule called Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor). Once activated, Nrf2 can bind to another molecule called ARE (antioxidant response element) and increase the expression of more than 200 antioxidant and anti-inflammatory genes.
ALSUntangled conclusions
"Protandim appears reasonably safe and inexpensive, has a promising mechanism by which it could help ALS, and there is a patient with a validated ALS diagnosis whose ALSFRS-R score improved on it. There are significant problems with the data described, including small study sample sizes, failure to demonstrate that Protandim increases Nrf2 in humans, failure to establish an optimal dose, and potential conflicts of interest among several of the key individuals involved. Nonetheless, in our opinion, further study of Protandim in ALS appears warranted."ALSUntangled No. 31: Protandim
